THP Planning to Take Back Our Highways

Nashville, Tennessee — Every available member of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, including Colonel Mike Walker and his command staff, will be on patrol duty Friday, April 25, 2008, for the state-wide safety initiative, “Take Back Our Highways.”

“The goal is to reduce traffic fatalities and save lives,” said Colonel Walker.  “The busy summer travel season is just around the corner, and I want every driver to know that we will be out enforcing the law.  Friday is just a taste of what motorists can expect to see all summer long.”

In 2007, traffic fatalities declined by approximately nine percent.  Preliminary figures indicate the trend is continuing in 2008, except in rural areas where fatal crashes are up, compared to this same time frame last year.

Troopers will conduct saturation patrols, concentrating on areas prone to crashes.  They will also be targeting drivers who speed, drive aggressively, fail to wear their safety belts and drink and drive.

In addition to the Take Back Our Highways initiative, Troopers will also be participating in the Urban Speed Enforcement (U.S.E.). The campaign focuses on urban interstates in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Shelby counties.  U.S.E. is one of four Selective Traffic Enforcement Programs that THP conducts throughout the year and is funded by grants provided by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office.