Operation Safe Highways Targets Unsafe Commercial Drivers

(Haywood County, TN) Commercial truckers making their way across Tennessee got quite a surprise when they entered weigh scales across the state today.

Troopers, and officials from Homeland Security were all there for  “Operation Safe Highways”.

The agencies were cracking down on drivers violating the law and at the same time asking all truckers for their help.

At the I-40 weigh station  in Haywood County truck drivers expect to roll in and roll out in a matter of moments.

But that’s not always the case

Wednesday, as part of “Operation Safe Highways” some of the “big rig got the once over, being checked for violations.

One of them was THP Sargent Jamie Jarrett who slid under an 18 wheeler for a  quick inspection, “I’m looking over here at the brake pads here. making sure they have enough padding on them.”

Sargent Jarrett and other Tennessee Troopers have been told to be on the lookout for anything by Tennessee Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons, “Mechanical violations, overweight loads, to criminal activities involving drug trafficking or human trafficking, carrying of hazardous materials. All of those things.”

Commissioner Gibbons says another goal is to ask truck drivers to report anything suspicious like possible terrorist acts, “We are asking drivers of commercial vehicles throughout this state to be the partners of law enforcement. to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement.”

Each truck driver received a flyer with tips on what to look for and who to call.

Driver Frank Hall of Camden Tennessee says he’s glad to help, “I don’t have a problem with it. I’ve reported many unsafe drivers. I’ve reported DUI’s.”

Driver Christopher Fretz from Memphis agreed, “You’re always looking for distracted drivers. You’re always looking for anything and everything that could possibly cause an accident or unsafe condition or anything like that.”