As a fierce winter storm swept through Tennessee, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) stepped up to aid drivers caught in the inclement weather. On February 18 and 19, the THP responded to numerous incidents caused by hazardous conditions, providing assistance that proved crucial for the safety of stranded motorists. According to a report by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, troopers not only helped 289 stranded motorists, but they also managed 195 crashes and dealt with 45 abandoned vehicles and 14 roadway obstructions, even as they investigated two fatal crashes occurring within this period.
In the heightened efforts to contend with the storm's effects, troopers worked tirelessly around the clock. Jeff Long, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, lauded their dedication in a statement released by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, "The men and women of the Tennessee Highway Patrol worked around the clock to keep drivers safe during this winter storm." The Nashville, Chattanooga, and Memphis districts experienced the highest volumes of emergency calls, with significant responses also noted in Knoxville, Fall Branch, Lawrenceburg, Cookeville, and Jackson districts. Barely managing the situation with roads rendered near-impassable by the storm, these districts, spread across Tennessee’s 95 counties, operate from separate headquarters to best coordinate law enforcement activities.
The storm's disruptive sway forced THP to maintain a vigilant watch over the state's thoroughfares, continuing recovery efforts and motorist assistance. Colonel Matt Perry of the Tennessee Highway Patrol advised caution in an official directive to drivers, "We continue to urge drivers to use caution, reduce speed, and avoid unnecessary travel when winter weather impacts our roads."
As the storm abates and Tennesseans look to the road once more, THP remains on alert, proffering advice and aid to those in need. To those considering travel, they caution checking of the latest road conditions and have provided the easy access emergency line *THP (*847) for immediate assistance. Trying as best they can, stranded motorists take comfort in the knowledge that help is but a phone call away, knowing that the Tennessee Highway Patrol's vigilance is a deterrent to the dangers posed by the winter's lash.
