TN Senate to Address Hands-Free Cell Phone Bill

The Tennessee House of Representatives passed a bill banning the use of cell phones while driving.

Tennessee Highway Safety Office Liaison Fred Sherrill said the bill could increase the number of citations given.

“I think what that is going to do is probably follow suit with what Georgia does. Georgia has a hands-free law that is in effect now,” Sherrill said. “So if you go through any part of Georgia or you are in Georgia whatsoever and you are using a cell phone in your hand driving you can be stopped and they are issuing lots and lots of citations.”

Sherrill said distracted-driving takes place too often nowadays.

“Probably eight out of ten vehicles that you meet now, somebody is on a cell phone and they have got it in their hand. So that is distracting their driving focus,” Sherrill said. “And if that was to pass then they would have to install some type of a Bluetooth device or something like that to where they can keep both hands on the steering wheel and concentrate on their driving. ”

The Senate must pass the bill before it can be enacted.

“So that is something I think in the near future is probably coming,” Sherrill said. “It’s only passed one hurdle and we still have a couple more hurdles to pass before that will become law.”

The Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee recommended the bill for passage on Tuesday.