More than 70 Tennessee law enforcement agencies joined forces from July 13 to July 18, 2026, for “Operation Southern Slow Down,” resulting in tens of thousands of traffic citations and a dramatic surge in felony arrests and weapon seizures across the state.

According to data released by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, 78 participating agencies recorded 32,350 total enforcement actions during the week-long campaign. While total overall violations slightly decreased compared to 2025’s campaign (down from 33,286), severe criminal offenses saw a massive spike.

Key highlights from the 2026 operation include:

• Criminal Surges: Felony arrests nearly tripled year-over-year, jumping from 217 in 2025 to 618 in 2026. Fugitive arrests saw a similar surge, rising from 127 to 447, while recovered stolen vehicles more than doubled from 26 to 68.

• Weapons Seized: Officers confiscated 106 illegal weapons during traffic stops, a sharp increase from the 19 weapons seized during the same period last year.

• Traffic & Driver Safety: Speeding citations remained a primary focus with 5,319 tickets issued (down from 6,180 in 2025). Officers also issued 1,109 distracted driving citations, 1,001 seatbelt violations, and made 184 DUI arrests.

The annual operation, coordinated alongside the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, aims to curb dangerous driving habits and enhance public safety on major roadways throughout the state.