The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is pleading with drivers to pay attention and slow down.
So far this year, TDOT vehicles and equipment have been hit 73 times, 15 of those involving HELP Units.
The most recent happened on Thursday, in Coffee County. A driver hit a TDOT truck sitting in traffic on I-24. Thankfully, everyone is okay.
Last Friday, while following procedure, a TDOT HELP Truck driver had stopped to remove debris on I-640W in Knoxville when he was nearly run over by a driver who lost control. The TDOT employee then jumped in his truck to help that driver who was taken to the hospital. The driver is expected to recover.
TDOT is asking motorists to follow the law; put down your phones, move over and slow down when emergency and roadside workers are present.