The Tennessee Highway Safety Office recognize a Smithville Police Officer for his dedicated traffic safety work.
Smithville Officer Peyton Young said his chief and a member of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office nominated him for the award. Young said he has worked slowing down drivers speeding in the community, pulling them over and issuing citations or warnings.
“It’s very good to be recognized,” Young said. “You go out and you work, and there’s many other officers that don’t get recognized when they should. We don’t do it for recognition but it makes you feel good.”
Young said he assures drivers have working headlights and taillights, maintaining visibility at night.
“Keeping the community safe is one of my primary focuses,” Young said. “So it lets me know that there’s other people out there that actually sees the work that I put into it.”
Young said getting out onto the roads and being seen helps keep the community safe, hopefully deterring people from performing dangerous road behaviors like speeding or not wearing their seat belt. Young said fatalities are less likely if an accident occurs and drivers are going the speed limit and wearing their seat belt.
Young said he feels his actions have made the Smithville community safer since he began at the department.
“I feel like there is a whole lot less people out speeding and doing reckless things,” Young said. “There’s a lot of people that I think they’re more cautious of speed and seat belts and making sure that everything is proper on their vehicle to hopefully prevent any accidents from happening.”
Young said the award shows him the efforts he applies to his job matter, saying the award makes him feel appreciated for the long hours he puts in. Young said he aims to make the community the safest he can make it.
“When I’m out there stopping cars, it’s not for a stat,” Young said. “It’s not to get a ticket or whatever, it’s because I care about my community.”