NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Gov. Phil Bredesen has signed a bill into law that will ban reading or sending cellular phone text messages while driving.
The measure sponsored by Republicans Rep. Jon Lundberg of Bristol and Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville imposes a $50 fine for reading or writing text messages while driving.
The action would be considered a nonmoving traffic violation, which means no points would be added to a person’s driving record.
It exempts certain officials — such as officers of the state, campus police officers and emergency medical technicians — when performing their duties.
Opponents argued that law enforcement may not be able to tell whether drivers are texting or dialing and that texting is already covered under the state’s distracted driving law.
