On Monday, April 1, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), local law enforcement, and other traffic safety partners for “Operation Hands Free” to crack down on violators of Tennessee’s Hands Free Law during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. To kick off the campaign, the THSO will host bus tours in Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville beginning at 10am local time.
During each bus tour, THP and officers inside the bus will observe traffic for distracted drivers then radio patrol vehicles to execute enforcement action. TDOT will assist by providing HELP trucks for traffic management. They will also utilize the digital highway message boards to spread awareness.
In Tennessee, it is illegal for drivers to hold a cell phone or mobile device with any part of their body. Violation of this law can result in points on your driving record.