Tennessee House Panel Kills Measure to Ban Text Messaging by Drivers

A Tennessee House subcommittee has killed a legislative proposal to ban text messaging while driving.

The Public Safety and Rural Roads Subcommittee on Tuesday moved the legislation sponsored by Rep. Jon Lundberg, a Bristol Republican, to a summer study committee.

Current law already bans drivers on a learner’s permit or an intermediate license from using a cell phone while in motion, unless there is an emergency. That law also applies to school bus drivers.

The measure sought to make it a misdemeanor for any driver to read or write text messages while driving. The fine would have been $50.

Read HB2618 on the General Assembly’s Web site at: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us