Crossville, Cumberland County and Fairfield Glade police departments are joining with the national effort to bring special awareness to driver awareness with focus on texting while driving.
Throughout April, CPD, CCSO and FGPD are joining the Tennessee Highway Safety Office and other traffic safety partners to crack down on violators of Tennessee’s Hands-Free Law during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
According to Tennessee’s Hands-Free Law (TCA § 55-8-199), it is illegal for drivers to hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of their body.
Violating this law can result in points on a motorist’s driving record.
Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-199 makes it illegal for a driver to:
(a) hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of their body
(b) write, send, or read any text-based communication
(c) reach for a cellphone or mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained by a seat belt
(d) watch a video or movie on a cellphone or mobile device, and
(e) record or broadcast video on a cellphone or mobile device
This distracted-driving enforcement campaign is funded through a grant provided by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.