Homeland Security Hazmat Checkpoints Fact Sheet

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• The Tennessee Highway Patrol has conducted five Homeland Security Hazardous Materials checkpoints since April 2006.
  
• Checkpoints were held:
  
  • April 10 at the I-75 Rest Area, Mile Marker 13 just north of Chattanooga
  • June 27 at the I-24 Scales Complex in Coffee County
  • June 28 along I-24 Eastbound at the Monteagle Mountain Brake Check area near Mile Marker 135
  • August 9 at the I-40 East and Westbound Scales Complex in Knox County
  • September 11 at the I-65 Scales Complex in Robertson County

During the five checkpoints:

• A total of 7,810 trucks have passed through the checkpoints, including 92 hazardous materials trucks and 69 container trucks
  
• 377 trucks underwent detailed inspections
  
• 169 safety defects have been identified
  
• 21 drivers and 24 trucks have been placed out of service
  
• During the June 27 checkpoint in Manchester , Troopers discovered two trucks hauling contaminated seafood bound for 14 locations in seven cities around the Nashville area. Troopers spotted the trucks as they attempted to bypass the inspection site and ordered them to pull over. Troopers discovered boxes of the contaminated seafood, sealed the trucks and ordered them back to Georgia , where they had originated. Once the trucks returned to Georgia , USDA inspectors oversaw the destruction of the contaminated food.
  
• Tennessee is less than a day's drive from three-quarters of the U.S. population.
  
• There are 11 interstates in Tennessee : I-24, I-26, I-40, I-55, I-65, I-75, I-81, I-155, I-240, I-440, I-640
  
• Approximately 27% of all interstate traffic in Tennessee is commercial vehicle traffic
  
• Approximately 10% of all traffic in Tennessee is commercial vehicle traffic