Tennessee Bill goes before commitee that would fine drivers for taking on hand held devices

Tennessee bill that will go before the Tennessee House Transportation Committee on Tuesday could change the way drivers use their phones on state roadways and could fine drivers for talking on hand held devices.

Legislation which became law last year made it a Class C misdemeanor to talk on a cell phone without hands-free technology in a school zone. Now, Representative John B. Holsclaw Jr. has filed legislation which would expand the law to any Tennessee road, highway, or street, not just school zones.

This bill would also make it an offense for anyone under the age of 18 to drive a vehicle and talk on a cell phone even if they are using a hands-free device.

As with the school zone law, this bill gets passed it would result in a fine of up to $100. If talking on the hand held device results in an accident the fine could reach up to $200.

The bill was introduced on Monday and if it passes this session would go into effect January 1, 2020.