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, the opinion 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 Tennessee
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Court Ruling Could Help Shed Light on Owners of Litigation Funders, Medical Clinics 
Former CEO of Nonprofit P/C Statistical Agent Sentenced for Stealing Millions 
UPS Ripped Off Seasonal Workers With Unfair Pay Practices, Lawsuit Alleges 
Aon Adds to List of Brokers Suing Howden US for Alleged Poaching, Theft 
