MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On July 1, 2019 it became illegal for anyone in Tennessee to text and drive. Actually, it's illegal to do just about anything that would distract you from the road. According to Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-199 it is illegal to:
- Hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of the body
- Write, send, or read any text-based communication
- Reach for a cellphone or mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained by a seat belt
- Watch a video or a movie on a cellphone or mobile device and
- Record or broadcast video on a cellphone or mobile device
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office has started a new campaign to enforce all of those rules. Starting Monday, April 4, they are launching Operation Hands Free to combat distracted driving crashes and deaths. That campaign includes digital message boards along the highways but also increased enforcement. That means that if you're still texting and driving today and you've never gotten a ticket, your chances just went up.
Why you should stop texting while driving
It's a serious problem. According to The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there were over 20,400 crashes because of distracted driving in Tennessee or an average of 55 crashes every day. Tennessee's distracted driving deaths are the highest in the US with nearly 5 times more crashes than the national average.
Beyond the risks to health and safety, distracted driving can impact your wallet. While your fist offense for texting and driving is only $50, it doubles for your third offense. If you text and drive in a work zone, it's a $200 per ticket.
What you can do to keep talking and driving
If you have a newer car that can connect to your phone through Bluetooth, use that. If not, it might be time to get an earpiece, headphone device, or device worn on a wrist to conduct voice-based communication (think: Apple Watch). Those are all approved for driving communication according to HandsFreeTN.com, the public-service communication website created by The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
