The Tennessee Highway Patrol and representatives of Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) member companies jointly inspected trucks Friday at the Greene County Scales Complex on Interstate 81 in western Greene County.

Lt. James McKenzie, commander of the scales complex, said the TTA brought safety and maintenance employees from member companies to the Scales Complex, or weigh station, to learn how the THP conducts truck inspections.

"We're letting them work with us today to help build a better relationship," he said. "We want them to know what we do, and we want to teach them what to look for in their maintenance shops."

The goal of the day-long event, Lt. McKenzie said, is to improve understanding between the trucking industry and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

"Most of the time, trucking companies only hear from the THP when they get copies of citations brought back by their drivers," he noted.

Representing the Highway Patrol were Capt. Dean Hurley, Lt. McKenzie, Sgt. Doug DeBusk, Sgt. Jarrett Ramsey, Trooper Dana Antonino, Trooper Billy Branner, Trooper Noah Click, Trooper Preston Cox, Trooper Vince Mullins, and Trooper Paul Penley.

Other agencies that are directly involved with the trucking industry were also present on Friday.

They included: Rusty Williams, state training coordinator for the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads, and Gary Capps and Mary Beth Lascurain with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Edmond Sorrell, Director of Safety for the Tennessee Trucking Association, and 35 members of that organization also took part in the event.

During the event, 1,696 trucks passed through the scales complex, according to Lt. McKenzie.

Twenty-four inspections were conducted, with 13 commercial vehicles being placed out of service for safety violations, and one commercial driver placed out of service.

Twelve citations were issued for violation of commercial carrier laws, and four assessments were issued. Penalties for violations totaled $7,012.20, according to McKenzie.

Sorrell, director of safety for the Tennessee Trucking Association, said seven such "industry day" roadside truck inspection events are held each year across the state.

"We usually do the one here in Greene County during the month of August," he said.

He noted that safety and maintenance personnel from TTA member companies joined troopers while they inspected trucks.

"It makes the relationship between the trucking companies, the drivers and the troopers a little bit closer than it normally would be," Sorrell said.

During the inspections, he said, trucking personnel are able to learn what THP inspectors are looking for in terms of maintenance problems.

"They learn what puts a truck out of service and what troopers want to see from truck drivers in terms of log books, medical cards and other items," he said.

"That helps the companies better prepare their drivers before they go on the road."

Sorrell described the event as a "win-win" situation for both trucking firms and the THP.

"The bottom line is safety," he added.

Sorrell said the TTA and the THP have "the best" working relationship of any similar organizations of which he is aware.