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Troopers every 20 miles: Tennessee Highway Patrol announces 'I-40 Challenge'

On Wednesday and Sunday this Thanksgiving weekend, troopers will be stationed every 20 miles on I-40.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Thanksgiving week is one of America's busiest travel times -- and Tennessee Highway Patrol responds with the seventh annual "I-40 Challenge."

THP said it will assign troopers every 20 miles on I-40 for 12-hour shifts on the busiest travel days of the weekend: Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

I-40 runs 2,555 miles through eight states. In Tennessee, I-40 runs for 455 miles. THP said Thanksgiving often means dozens of crashes on the interstate.

In 2018, THP said there were 46 I-40 crashes on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and 55 crashes on the Sunday after Thanksgiving holiday. One crash was alcohol-related. 

RELATED: Man with 14 DUI convictions sentenced to 12 years in prison

During the 120-hour holiday period, THP also issued 1,559 seat belt/child restraint device citations and arrested 111 people for impaired driving statewide. 

THP will also continue state-wide enforcement on all Tennessee roadways during the holiday season. 

THP advised people who need help while traveling to dial *847, which connects callers to THP dispatchers.

RELATED: Driving You Crazy: Deaths increasing on TN highways

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