Lawmakers Want Interstates Controlled By THP

Tennessee lawmakers are trying to shut down interstate speed traps.
Enforcing the rules of the road on interstates is the main responsibility of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
But, some legislators say they’ve heard complaints about smaller towns along the interstate thinking of those roadways as a sort of cash cow.
A proposal working its way through the general assembly would give safety officials the right to revoke a municipalities authority to patrol the interstate if they don’t comply with rules.
“There are situations that might be deemed questionable, that’s for the department of safety to administer, this gives them the opportunity to apply consequence to an action,” says Rep. Billy Spivey. “If this doesn’t properly adjust the issue I’d be willing to take another bit of it.”
If the proposal becomes law, it would apply to towns with a population of 10,000 or less.
The rules include keeping unmarked patrol cars off the interstate and staying within jurisdictional lines.