Highway patrol plans roadblock
Targeting unlicensed drivers, the highway patrol will conduct a roadblock this weekend to check for valid driver’s licenses.
The roadside safety checkpoint will be Friday on Highway 8. The exact time of the roadblock has not been revealed. State law requires such roadblocks to be announced in advance.
The checkpoint is one of several set up by the highway patrol each year around the state. The checkpoints generally target unlicensed drivers or drunk drivers. However, the checkpoints also often lead to arrests for other offenses such as drug transportation or transportation of stolen goods.
The local roadblock comes as the state Department of Safety announced a crackdown on speeding truck drivers, mainly to be focused on Tennessee’s interstate areas. The crackdown comes even as there was a rash of fatal accidents this weekend on the interstates of Nashville involving big rigs.
“Speeding is a leading factor in traffic crashes. Through this statewide enforcement campaign, we’re targeting drivers whose aggressive behavior makes it unsafe for other motorists,” said Department of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips. “Our message is clear – slow down and drive safely.”
The program focuses on commercial vehicles with an emphasis on moving violations, particularly speeding trucks. The program goal is to improve the overall safety on Tennessee’s roadways by reducing the number of commercial motor vehicle crashes in heavily trafficked areas.
While Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officials are stationing one patrol unit every 25 miles on the interstate, the new program will concentrate on the four metropolitan cities: Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville.
“While most truck drivers operate in a safe, responsible manner, we’re going to stop the ones who are not,” said Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Lt. Colonel Randy Caplinger. “We’re putting a patrol unit in every county in Tennessee that has an interstate running through it. To further ensure big trucks are operating safely, CVE officers will conduct a safety inspection of drivers and their records on every traffic stop during this initiative.”