FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2026
CONTACT: ARRIALE TABSON
Mobile: 615-767-3242
Arriale.Tabson@tn.gov
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE LAUNCHES
“PROTECTING EVERY MILE: 68 HOURS OF ENFORCEMENT ON HIGHWAY 68,”
“58 HOURS ON HIGHWAY 58” CAMPAIGNS AHEAD OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
CHATTANOOGA/KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Beginning May 22, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), divisions of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, will join local law enforcement for two traffic safety enforcement campaigns, “Protecting Every Mile: 68 Hours of Enforcement on Highway 68” and “58 Hours on Highway 58,” to reduce traffic fatalities during the Memorial Day weekend.
“This Memorial Day holiday, make memories and make sure your loved ones are safe,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “During this high-travel season, you can protect yourself and others by driving sober, buckling up, avoiding distractions, and managing speed. Expect heavy traffic. Plan ahead, stay patient, and ensure your vehicle is road-trip ready."
The focus of “Protecting Every Mile: 68 Hours of Enforcement on Highway 68” is to increase traffic enforcement along the 107 miles of State Route 68 from May 22 until Midnight on May 26. This route includes Cumberland County, Rhea County, Meigs County, McMinn County, Polk County, THP District 6, THP District 2, and THP District 1.
The “58 Hours on Highway 58” campaign will increase traffic enforcement along the 95 miles of State Route 58 beginning 58 hours prior to midnight on Memorial Day. This route includes Hamilton County, Meigs County, Roane County, and THP District 1.
The THSO offers the following safe driving tips.
Obey speed limits. Adhere to all traffic signs and signals.
Look twice for motorcycles. Motorcycle riders are prevalent during warm weather months.
Watch for pedestrians and share the road.
Always drive sober. Never drink and drive.
Ensure all children are properly restrained, and wear your seat belt every trip, every time.
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TENNESSEE’S INTEGRATED TRAFFIC ANALYSIS NETWORK (TITAN) CRASH DATA:
State Route 58: https://tntrafficsafety.org/sites/default/files/2026-05/SR58.pdf
State Route 68: https://tntrafficsafety.org/sites/default/files/2026-05/SR68.pdf
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is a division of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security advocating for traffic safety. The THSO works in tandem with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to implement statewide programs addressing occupant protection, impaired driving, speed enforcement, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and crash data collection and analysis. Programs administered by the THSO are 100 percent federally funded. The THSO’s mission is to effectively develop, implement, and evaluate these programs. To learn more, please visit www.tntrafficsafety.org.