Both days, THP officials routed cargo and log trucks to a mobile inspection station in Calhoun.
Some of the truckers had traveled through the city of Charleston while others came off Interstate 75. Of 61 inspections, 50 percent of the trucks were taken out of service due to safety issues, according to Lt. John Harmon, who oversees THP’s Special Programs.
Harmon said THP utilized its Mobile Inspection Unit vehicle to set up scales and the inspection station on Lamontville Road (Highway 163) in Calhoun.
Most of the truckers were delivering logs to the Resolute Forest Products paper plant in Calhoun, which is just across the Hiwassee River Bridge from the city of Charleston.
“We were inspecting all trucks, including freight haulers and loggers,” Harmon said.
“The Mobile Inspection Station can be and will be set up in various places in the state and the goal is to make our state highways and roads safer. The station has an infrared system which can measure the heat coming from a truck’s braking system. If it’s not indicating the brakes are hot ... then they aren’t working,” Harmon explained.
“Our troopers have worked hard the past two days enduring high heat and crawling around under the trucks and their trailers performing inspection duties.”
Harmon also said truckers have secured loads better and other safety implementations such as flags are being better placed since the inspections began Monday.
“The drivers didn’t expect us to be out in the same location two days in a row and we have noticed they are improving their safety regarding their loads,” Harmon said.
The new Mobile Inspection Unit will be showcased at U.S. Xpress in Chattanooga later today as a part of the Tennessee Truckers’ Association ongoing safety awareness campaign, according to Harmon.
