Commercial truck drivers in Tennessee were targeted by state troopers and officials from Homeland Security last week in “Operation Safe Highways,” a program aimed at increased truck inspections and alerting truckers to terrorist dangers, according to a WREG News Memphis report.
Focus of the increased inspection activity included everything from mechanical violations and overweight loads to criminal activities involving drug trafficking or human trafficking, carrying of hazardous materials. “All of those things,” according to Tennessee Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons.
Gibbons said another goal is to ask truck drivers to report anything suspicious like possible terrorist acts. “We are asking drivers of commercial vehicles throughout this state to be the partners of law enforcement… to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement.”
Each truck driver inspected in the sweep received a flyer with tips on what to look for and who to call in the event of suspected terrorist activity.
