Speeding enforcement to increase on roadways for Operation Southern Shield, preventing crashes Last year, there were more than 1,200 traffic fatalities statewide. Offiicals said 180 of them were directly related to speeding. Author: Katelyn Keenehan Updated: 6:58 PM EDT July 22, 2021 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — There will be more officers on East Tennessee highways giving out speeding tickets. If you are worried this could slow you down, maybe it's time to reconsider your driving speed. Tennessee joined Operation Southern Shield alongside four other states: Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. The purpose of the regional campaign is to increase traffic safety awareness and enforcement to reduce speeding across the Southeast.