Monday, Commissioner David W. Purkey of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDSOHS) and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott joined multiple law enforcement partners to announce the fifth annual “I-40 Challenge Drive to Zero Fatalities” traffic safety initiative. The I-40 Challenge will consist of increased patrols from state police/ highway patrol agencies along the I-40 corridor. In Tennessee, I-40 enforcement efforts will increase on the busiest travel days during the Thanksgiving holiday starting on Wednesday, November 22, and continuing through Sunday, November 26. I-40 runs 2,555 miles through eight states including North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The interstate encompasses 455 total miles in Tennessee. Last year, there were 54 crashes on the Wednesday before and 51 crashes on the Sunday after Thanksgiving on I-40. Four of the crashes were alcohol-related. THP also issued 94 seat belt citations on and arrested 12 individuals for impaired driving. In addition to the I-40 Challenge, the THP will also conduct its routine Thanksgiving holiday enforcement campaign across the state. During last year’s 120-hour holiday period there were 16 traffic fatalities. Three of the fatalities were a result of alcohol-impairment and four were unrestrained. The THP’s checkpoint schedule during the 2017 Thanksgiving holiday may be viewed by visiting our website. Last year’s Thanksgiving Day period Tennessee and nationwide statistical report is also attached. http://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/safety/attachments/nov2015_checkpoints.pdf.