NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. William Slater, R-Gallatin, has proposed legislation to improve safety on Tennessee roads by strengthening penalties for texting while driving.
House Bill 1555 will improve consistency in Tennessee law by increasing the maximum allowable local court costs for violations of Tennessee’s hands-free law from $10 to 50% of the standard fees imposed for other moving violations. This represents a range of roughly $37 to $70 in court costs, depending on jurisdiction.
“Texting while driving is a reckless decision that endangers everyone else on the road,” said Slater. “This legislation will protect Tennessee families by updating our state’s hands-free law to more accurately reflect the severity of the offense. No text, email or social media notification is worth a life, and I’m hopeful this proposal encourages drivers to put the phone down and keep their focus where it belongs.”
It’s illegal under Tennessee law to hold a cell phone, send or read text messages, move out of the seated driving position while reaching for a phone, watch a video, or record while driving. Violations constitute a Class C misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $50 on the first offense plus $10 in court costs. Fees increase to $100 for a person’s third or subsequent offense, or $200 for violations that occur in a work zone with employees present or a marked school zone with flashing lights.
Revenue from this measure would benefit several funds, including the sex offender treatment fund, victims of crime assistance fund, victims of drunk drivers’ compensation fund, and the civil legal representation of indigents fund, among others.
The Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts has reported an average of nearly 12,500 Class C misdemeanor convictions for violating the state’s hands-free law in each of the last five years.
House Bill 1555 will be considered in the Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee on March 11. If approved by the Tennessee General Assembly, it would take effect July 1.
State Rep. William Slater represents District 35 in the Tennessee General Assembly, which includes Trousdale and part of Sumner counties.