Take It Easy: THP Ramps Up Patrols For Operation Southern Shield

NASHVILLE, TN -- Tennessee drivers will see more state troopers and may see extra blue lights (if they aren't careful) next week.

Tennessee, along with Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, will be a part of the second annual "Operation Southern Shield" from July 16 to 20. Operation Southern Shield is a multi-state effort traffic law enforcement effort covering the five states that historically rank as having the country's worst drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-funded program puts extra troopers on the road and the Tennessee Highway Patrol will emphasize patrols on a different interstate each day in coordination with troopers in the other states. For example, on the day focusing on Interstate 65, Tennessee and Alabama will ramp up patrols. Same for I-24 and I-75 with Georgia.

And, no, they aren't saying which interstates will get the extra attention on which days.

The THP says it's lowering its so-called "speed tolerance" - the margin over the posted speed limit troopers will let drivers get away with - during the week, as well.

And, no, they aren't saying what the new tolerance will be (or what the standard tolerance is, for that matter).

In addition to speeders, troopers will keep an eye out for other violators - particularly people using their phones and those violating the slow-poke law, which prohibits cruising in the left lane without passing other cars.

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