Traffic & Transit
Put Down The Phone: Tennessee Cracks Down On Texting And Driving
As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Tennessee Highway Patrol is on the hunt for texting drivers.
NASHVILLE, TN -- Put the phone down and keep your eyes up; the Tennessee Highway Patrol is watching.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and as part of its statewide #ThumbsDown crackdown on texting and driving, state troopers will be riding in specially marked buses, which give officers heightened perspective and the ability to peer into cars to see who is punching away on their miniature keypads in violation of the state's texting and driving ban.
They'll then radio ahead to other troopers who can make the traffic stop and issue a ticket. Conviction for texting and driving is a $50 ticket.
Find out what's happening in Across Tennesseefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Last year, distracted driving was a factor in nearly 25,000 crashes in Tennessee. Of those, 120 were deadly.
Find out more about distracted driving from the state's highway safety office.
Find out what's happening in Across Tennesseefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Image via Tennessee Highway Patrol.
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