A Tennessee attorney general opinion says sending or reading texts while driving falls under a law prohibiting the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle.
Rep. Vince Dean, an East Ridge Republican and chairman of the House Public Safety Subcommittee, requested the opinion after hearing proposed legislation that would fine a person $50 for such behavior while driving.
The Senate sponsor of that legislation says he just wants to strengthen the current law.
However, says an officer already has the authority to cite a driver “whenever unsafe operation is caused by cell phone use, text messaging, applying cosmetics or any other activity that prevents the driver from operating the vehicle in a safe manner.”
The proposal passed the Senate Transportation Committee earlier this month.
Topics Personal Auto
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