THP Holiday Patrols
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JACKSON, Tenn — While most West Tennesseans enjoyed a few days off this Thanksgiving holiday, local law enforcement worked hard keeping the roads safe. With thousands of travelers hitting the roadways in West Tennessee this Thanksgiving, THP is giving up their holiday and time with their families to make sure the roads stay safe. “Just because it’s a holiday, the world keeps spinning,” Lt. Brad Wilbanks told WBBJ Friday. Lt. Wilbanks is one of many members of the THP on the roads this Thanksgiving holiday. He said the added number of drivers on the road doesn’t change how they do their job. “We’re doing what we do every day. Its just we know the volume’s increased, so we try to have as many people out here as we can,” Lt Wilbanks said. Due to the increased traffic and increased patrol, many officers must miss time with their families. That’s something that Lt. Wilbanks says they know is part of the job. “The young men and women that we’ve got, in 26 years, I’ve never heard anyone complain or act like they were surprised at having to work the holidays. That’s just part of it,” Lt. Wilbanks explained. Lt. Wilbanks said while supervisors like himself have to come in and work some extra time over holidays, the troopers are the ones that really do the work. “These road troopers, the men and women that do this everyday, its everyday for them. They are the heart and soul of the Highway Patrol,” Lt. Wilbanks said. “They’re the ones doing the jobs everyday out here in this type of traffic.” THP said they expect interstate traffic to pick back up Saturday and Sunday, and urge travelers to allow for plenty of time for safe travel.
