THP Conducts 24-Hour Multi-Agency Commercial Vehicle Check
Friday, March 26, 2010 | 03:37am
THP & Homeland Security Inspections Secure Tennessee's Highway Safety
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol is conducting a statewide commercial vehicle enforcement campaign during Operation Strategic Transportation Observation & Prevention (S.T.O.P.), Friday, March 26, 2010. The 24-hour inspection program begins at 6 a.m., March 26 and continues through 6 a.m., Saturday, March 27, 2010. Troopers will be conducting inspections at 8 sites across the state in a broad effort to ensure the safety of the motoring public.
“We continue to send a clear message to commercial vehicle operators and anyone who may be transporting illegal or hazardous materials in support of criminal or terrorist activity,” said Commissioner Dave Mitchell. “If you are putting the motoring public in jeopardy with safety violations or illegal activity, you will have to answer to the THP.”
The purpose of Operation S.T.O.P. is to focus on the safety of commercial vehicles in the following categories: cargo tanks, hazardous material trucks, inter-modal container chassis, rental trucks and all other trucks with obvious violations. Drivers and trucks in violation will be placed out of service as part of the 24-hour operation.
“The main goal of this first of several Operation United S.T.O.P. initiatives in 2010 is be aggressive in deterring large truck violations by conducting random truck inspections across the state of Tennessee,” said THP Colonel Mike Walker. “Eight simultaneous Homeland Security Hazardous Materials Checkpoints will be conducted over a continuous 24-hour period.”
The major objective of Operation S.T.O.P. is to conduct Roadside Checkpoints at weigh stations and known highways used as by-pass routes to stop, evaluate and inspect as many commercial vehicles as possible.
In previous years, similar 24-hour operations across the state have inspected hundreds of hazardous materials trucks, moveable containers and rental vehicles, uncovering safety defects and driver violations. Inspections result in violations and in some cases arrests for drugs and fraudulent licensing.
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.