Today, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) announced results from its annual roadside observational survey to determine the state’s average seat belt usage rate. This survey returned a statewide usage rate of 92 percent. The 2023 usage rate represents an increase of approximately 1.5 percent compared to Tennessee’s 2022 survey result of 90.5 percent. The 2023 survey result is Tennessee’s highest annual seat belt usage rate to date.

Beginning May 7, 2025, the REAL ID Act of 2005 will go into effect. Anyone 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID credential to access certain federal facilities, board commercial flights, nuclear power plants, and military bases in the U.S. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) began issuing REAL IDs on July 1, 2019. Of the 5.8 million valid credentials in Tennessee, 1.6 million citizens have yet to decide about obtaining a REAL ID. Tennesseans are encouraged to make their decision ahead of the May 7, 2025, implementation date to avoid the potential influx of customers at Driver Services Centers.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Oakland Driver Services Center, located at 160 Beau Tisdale Drive, is temporarily closed through May 10 for repairs to water pipes.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Franklin Driver Services Center, located at 3830 Carothers Parkway, which closed for a planned remodel in November, will reopen to the public on Monday, May, 13.

On April 5, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Matt Perry welcomed the newest graduating classes of Tennessee State Troopers.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Fayetteville Driver Services Center, located at 4110 Thornton Taylor Parkway, will close for a planned remodel on Monday, April 8, and reopen mid-June. Upon completion of the remodel, citizens can expect new flooring, new furniture, and fresh paint!

JACKSON– The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is seeking information that may aid in the investigation of a fatal hit-and-run crash in Madison County. Preliminary information indicates that a 2008 to 2012 Buick Enclave, having left side frontend damage was involved in a hit-and-run pedestrian crash on Tuesday, March 12th, in Madison County around 10:30 p.m. The location of the incident was I-40 eastbound around mile marker 68. The driver then continued eastbound on I-40 and did not notify law enforcement.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn– The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is seeking the public’s assistance in a fatal hit-and-run crash investigation in Marion County. Preliminary information indicates that a female was struck by a vehicle on Saturday, March 30th, possibly between 3:45 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. The incident occurred on I-24 East around mile marker 138 on Monteagle Mountain. The hit-and-run vehicle continued eastbound leaving the scene without notifying law enforcement. The deceased female was located by troopers on April 1, 2024.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Fayetteville Driver Services Center, located at 4110 Thornton Taylor Parkway, will close for a planned remodel on Monday, April 8, and reopen mid-June. Upon completion of the remodel, citizens can expect new flooring, new furniture, and fresh paint!

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department is offering free cable firearm locks available on request to any Tennessee gun owner through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Safe Store Tennessee program.

On Feb. 22, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Matt Perry welcomed the newest graduating class of Tennessee State Troopers at the Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Training Center in Nashville. These new troopers are all prior highway patrol or state police. One is a returning THP Trooper. The others are joining THP from the Florida Highway Patrol, Louisiana State Police, Arkansas State Police, and New Jersey State Police.

On Friday, Feb. 16, Governor Bill Lee, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long, and Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Deputy Commissioner Greg Mays presented badges to 20 new Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Special Agents in a graduation ceremony at the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy in Nashville.

Through its new Safe Store Tennessee program, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security is offering free cable gun locks to any Tennessean available on request at Driver Services Centers and Tennessee Highway Patrol district headquarters.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Murfreesboro Driver Services Center, located at 1035 Samsonite Boulevard, which closed for a planned remodel in September, will reopen to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.

On Dec. 7, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Matt Perry welcomed the newest graduating classes of Tennessee State Troopers. The department simultaneously instructed a regular 17-week trooper cadet class and an 11-week lateral trooper cadet class. The lateral class returned from their district assignments for the graduation ceremony that took place at Belmont University, 15th Avenue South, Nashville.