Tennessee state troopers will be assigned every 20 miles of I-40 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30
JACKSON Tenn — “Last year, Tennessee reported zero traffic fatalities on Interstate 40 during the challenge times,” Colonel Trott said. “We hope to have the same success this year and will again deploy our resources to help ensure a safe travel experience through our state on the busiest travel days of the Thanksgiving period.”
Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott today announced the second annual “Interstate 40 Challenge: The Drive to Zero Fatalities”.
I-40 runs 2,555 miles through eight states, and has more miles in Tennessee than any other state with 455 miles. In 2013, Tennessee state troopers investigated 29 crashes on the Wednesday before and 36 wrecks on the Sunday after Thanksgiving during the I-40 challenge times. None of those crashes were alcohol-related.
“Our number one priority is to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in Tennessee and to keep our roadways safe throughout the holidays,” Commissioner Gibbons said. “The Interstate 40 Challenge is another traffic safety tool that will help us save lives on a major traffic corridor. Thanks to all of the participating law enforcement agencies across the state and the country who are participating in this initiative and helping motorists reach their destinations safely this Thanksgiving holiday,” he added.
Tennessee state troopers will be assigned every 20 miles of I-40 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. Additionally, Colonel Trott has requested increased law enforcement visibility on all major interstates throughout Tennessee.
“We are hoping that a large law enforcement presence on the interstates will have an impact on driver behavior,” Colonel Trott said. “Drivers are encouraged to obey the speed limit, don’t drive distracted, aggressive or reckless, and above all, don’t drink and drive.”
The Interstate 40 Challenge will consist of increased patrols from state police or highway patrol agencies along the I-40 corridor in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee. The challenge will take place on the busiest travel days of the Thanksgiving period, specifically from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26 and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30.
THP personnel also issued 69 seat belt citations on I-40 on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving in 2013, coupled with 18 seat belt tickets on the Sunday after the holiday. They also arrested four individuals on suspicion of impaired driving on I-40 on the two challenge days.
In addition to the I-40 Challenge, the THP will also conduct its routine Thanksgiving holiday enforcement campaign across the state. During last year’s 120-hour holiday period, there were 12 people killed in nine fatal crashes in Tennessee. Two of the traffic fatalities occurred in alcohol-related crashes, while six of the vehicular deaths were unrestrained.
“Our state’s seat belt usage rate is at an all-time high of 87.7 percent,” GHSO Director Kendell Poole said. “However, we still have far too many people who do not buckle up. Half of our state’s traffic fatalities are unrestrained vehicle occupants. That is unacceptable.”
State law enforcement officials have also seen an eight percent decline in alcohol-related crashes this year, compared to this same time last year. Colonel Trott believes the agency’s DUI enforcement has helped reduce the number of impaired driving crashes across the state.
In 2014, Tennessee state troopers have arrested 7,322 individuals on suspicion of impaired driving, compared to 5,537 DUI arrests this same time last year. That’s a 32 percent increase.
“We have used data and predictive analytics to deploy our resources in the best possible way to prevent tragedies on Tennessee roadways,” Trott remarked. “I can only hope our traffic safety efforts over the holidays will help us finish the year and our drive to zero fatalities campaign strong.”
