Tennessee Highway Patrol Announce Interstate 40 Challenge During Thanksgiving Holiday

Eight State Police or Highway Patrol Agencies across U.S. to Increase Patrols on I-40

Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott on Friday announced the fourth annual “Interstate 40 Challenge Drive to Zero Fatalities” traffic safety initiative scheduled for the Thanksgiving holiday period. The I-40 Challenge will consist of increased patrols from state police/ highway patrol agencies along the I-40 corridor that stretches through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The challenge will take place on the busiest travel days of the Thanksgiving period, specifically Wednesday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 27.

Colonel Trott was joined by Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner David Purkey, Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer, and Governor’s Highway Safety Office Director Vic Donoho. The announcement was held at the THP and TDOT Traffic Incident Management Track located within the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Training Center Complex in Nashville.

“Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, but they can also be a time of sadness and difficulty,” said Colonel Trott. “We care about you and your families, which is why we will be working hard to make sure that you make it safely to your destination. The THP will do what we must to ensure your highway safety.” Trott added.

I-40 runs 2,555 miles through eight states, and has more miles in Tennessee than any other state with 455 miles. In 2015 on I-40, Tennessee Law Enforcement investigated 35 crashes on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and 111 crashes on the Sunday after the holiday. One of these crashes was alcohol-related.

Tennessee state troopers also issued 80 seat belt citations on I-40 on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving in 2015, coupled with eight seat belt tickets on the Sunday after the holiday. They also arrested one individual on suspicion of impaired driving on I-40 on the two challenge days.

“We want to do everything we can working with our neighboring state law enforcement agencies, along with our local sheriffs and chiefs, to reduce traffic fatalities,” Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner David W. Purkey said. “This is simple, but powerful – we want families gathered together safely at home each night…”

THP is again heading the I-40 Challenge during Thanksgiving Weekend. The last three years have been very successful with only three fatalities during our 72 hours of operation across the entire nation. We are again assigning Troopers every 20 miles on I-40 for 12 hours on Wednesday Nov. 23, 2016 from 10 AM to 10 PM and Sunday Nov. 27, 2016 from 11 AM to 11 PM. Additionally, Trott says there will be an increased presence on all major interstates throughout Tennessee.

In addition to the I-40 Challenge, the THP will also conduct its routine Thanksgiving holiday enforcement campaign across the state. During last year’s 120-hour holiday period, there were eight people killed during eight separate crashes in Tennessee, up one from the previous year. Four of those crashes involved an alcohol-impaired driver, and four were unrestrained.

“One of the hardest jobs that we have is walking up to a home and knocking on the front door, then telling that person that their loved one was killed in a crash. We do not want to knock on anyone’s door and deliver that earth shattering news. That is why we will do all that we can to make this a safe holiday,” Trott said.

The THP is going to go the extra mile, not just participating in the I-40 Challenge, but we are covering all Tennessee interstates every 20 miles to help make the start of the holiday travel season even safer,” Trott said.

“The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will promote the I-40 Challenge on its dynamic message boards and will suspend lane closures beginning at Noon on Wednesday, Nov. 23 through 6 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 28. Our regional Help Trucks will also be working throughout the holiday weekend to assist with incidents that may occur along the interstates,” TDOT Commissioner Schroer said.

Because Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, Tennessee Highway Safety Office Director Vic Donoho asks all Tennesseans to help promote traffic safety for the holidays.

“Drivers are often speeding and distracted at a time when streets, parking lots, and intersections are most congested,” said the THSO Director Vic Donoho. “We ask Tennesseans to play their part in protecting our roadways. Drivers should be alert, focused, belted, and sober. Let’s focus on what’s most important – keeping our loved ones safe. Promoting the importance of seat belts and the dangers of impaired and distracted driving is vital in supporting the I-40 Challenge.”

State law enforcement officials have also seen a 4.6 percent decline in alcohol-related crashes this year, compared to this same time last year. Colonel Trott believes the agency’s DUI enforcement has continued to contribute to the reduction in the number of impaired driving crashes across the state.

To date in 2016, Tennessee state troopers have arrested 6,798 individuals on suspicion of impaired driving. That represents a 56 percent increase over the last five years.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s checkpoint schedule during the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday may be viewed by visiting our website. Last year’s Thanksgiving Day period Tennessee and nationwide statistical report is also attached.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.