Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol is teaming up with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for a 48-hour enforcement campaign dubbed Operation Road Watch. Starting Tuesday at 6 a.m., Tennessee Troopers will be targeting dangerous drivers on I-26 in Unicoi, Washington and Carter counties. A news conference to announce the partnership will be held tomorrow morning at 11:30 a.m., at the I-26 Welcome Center just over the state line in North Carolina.

WHO:          Tennessee Highway Patrol and North Carolina State Highway Patrol
                   Lt. Colonel Tracy Trott, Tennessee Highway Patrol
                   Lt. Colonel Jamie Hatcher, Deputy Commander, North Carolina Highway Patrol
                   Darrell Rueben, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

WHAT:        Operation Road Watch

WHEN:        Tuesday, August 12, 2008
                   11:30 a.m.

WHERE:      I-26 Welcome Center
                   6 Mile Marker, east of the TN/NC state line
                   Madison County, North Carolina

Thirty-five Tennessee State Troopers will be participating in the initiative.  Resources, including K-9 and aviation patrol units, will be utilized during the two-day enforcement campaign.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tn.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.