Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Department of Safety released results from the September 12 Tennessee Highway Patrol Homeland Security Hazardous Materials Checkpoint. The checkpoint was held at the Scales Complex along I-65 Northbound in Robertson County from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. and involved a broad range of federal, state and local partners.

A total of 54 trucks were inspected resulting in the discovery of 25 safety defects. Six commercial drivers were placed out of service including one driver arrested for DUI and five found with log book violations. One commercial vehicle was removed from service for a safety defect.

"These Homeland Security Checkpoints are vital in ensuring the safety of Tennessee motorists," said Interim Department of Safety Commissioner Gerald Nicely. "More trucks travel through Tennessee than any other state in the southeast, and most states in the country and we want to make sure those trucks are safe. I am pleased to see the Highway Patrol leading this charge to keep our citizens safe and setting an example for other states to follow."

Dozens of State Troopers, THP Special Operations K-9 explosives detection and drug dogs, along with personnel from the state Department of Homeland Security, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Tennessee Department of Revenue and Robertson County Sheriff's Department participated in the drills.

"Keeping our roads safe is the primary goal of the Tennessee Highway Patrol," Colonel Mike Walker commented. "These three checkpoints are the first of many we will be conducting across the state in an effort to ensure commercial traffic traveling through Tennessee is safe and in compliance."

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.