Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Highway Patrol today conducted Operation United S.T.O.P. (Strategic Transportation Observation & Prevention), a multi-agency effort to inspect commercial vehicles hauling hazardous materials and overseas containers, and rental trucks. During Operation United S.T.O.P., 17 simultaneous Homeland Security Hazardous Materials Checkpoints were held in locations across the state.

"Tennessee conducts a high number of commercial vehicle inspections on a regular basis, and countless lives are saved because of it," stated Interim Department of Safety Commissioner Gerald Nicely. "Operation United S.T.O.P. is a pro-active effort by the Highway Patrol to ensure that trucks carrying dangerous cargo are safe and secure as they travel through Tennessee."

The goal of Operation United S.T.O.P. is to be pro-active in deterring a terrorist event by conducting random truck inspections across the state. This is the largest simultaneous inspection operation of its kind ever conducted by one state.

"Operation United S.T.O.P. is the first simultaneous operation of this magnitude attempted by any state in this country," said THP Colonel Mike Walker. "Commercial vehicle inspection is a priority for the THP. This event is a great opportunity for us to educate the public, as well as to remind citizens and the trucking industry that Tennessee is serious about commercial vehicle safety."

Several state and federal agencies assisted in Operation United S.T.O.P., including the federal and state Department of Homeland Security, TEMA, TBI, FBI, ATF, TDOT, TDEC, the Bomb and Arson Squad of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, the National Guard, THP Special Operations and CID, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and local police agencies.

Checkpoints were held from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. local time at the following locations:

District One - Knoxville

Knox County Scales Complex - I-40 East and Westbound

District Two - Chattanooga

Monteagle Mountain Brake Check Area - I-24 Eastbound

I-75 Chattanooga Rest Area - I-75 Southbound at MM 13

I-75 Cleveland Rest Area - I-75 Northbound at MM 23

Manchester Scales - I-24 East and Westbound

District Three - Nashville

Robertson County Scales - I-65 North and Southbound MM 119

District Four - Memphis

Haywood County Scales - I-40 East and Westbound at MM 50

I-155 Dyer County Parking Area - I-155 Southbound at MM 6

District Five - Fall Branch

Greene County Scales - I-81 Southbound at MM 21

I-40 Cocke County Rest Area - I-40 Westbound

I-26 @ Sam's Gap - Unicoi County - I-26 Northbound

District Six - Cookeville

I-40 Smith County Rest Area - I-40 Eastbound

District Seven - Lawrenceburg

I-65 Maury County Rest Area - I-65 Northbound at MM 48

Results from Operation United S.T.O.P. will be released on Thursday, October 12.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.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.