FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 14, 2021
COOPERTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Coopertown, Tennessee – Coopertown Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) to promote “Hands Free Tennessee” during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Throughout the month of April, Coopertown Police Department will increase education and enforcement to reduce distracted-driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
From January 1, 2021 to April 11, 2021, there were a total of 70 crashes in the Coopertown area. As of March 31, 2021, there were 274 traffic fatalities in Tennessee. In the United States, distracted driving killed 3,142 people in 2019 – a 10% increase from 2018. Since the Hands-Free Law took effect on July 1, 2019, Coopertown Police have issued 43 citations for Hands-Free Law violations.
During National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Coopertown Police will be looking for Hands-Free Law violations and increasing enforcement to help reduce the number of crashes.
WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?
Distracted driving is the act of driving while engaged in activities that divert the driver’s attention away from the road. There are three forms of distracted driving: cognitive, visual, and manual. Cell phone use while driving is extremely dangerous because it involves all three forms of distracted driving.
- Cognitive distraction occurs when the driver’s mind is not focused on driving. Examples include talking to passengers in the vehicle, thinking about stressful issues, or listening to loud music.
- Visual distraction occurs when the driver is not focused on looking at the road ahead. Examples include looking for items around the vehicle, looking down at a GPS device, or watching a movie/video on a mobile phone.
- Manual distraction occurs when the driver takes one or both hands off the wheel for any reason. Examples include eating food or drinking beverages, reaching backwards, or handling a mobile device.
HANDS FREE TENNESSEE
According to Public Chapter No. 412, it is 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.
HELPFUL TIPS
Here are a few tips to help you plan ahead, so you remain focused and alert while driving.
- Put your mobile phone away.
Pull over if you need to make a phone call or send a text message. Never use a mobile device while driving. A hands-free device is safer to use, but the driver should still exercise caution and remain focused on the road.
- Set your GPS in advance.
Program your GPS navigation before you leave the driveway. If you need to adjust your GPS, then pull over. Never operate GPS navigation while driving. - Safely secure child passengers and pets.
Make sure all passengers are properly secured before you begin driving. If child passengers or pets become disruptive within the vehicle, then pull over to address the disruptions. - Eat beforehand.
Make time in your schedule to eat before your trip. Never eat behind the wheel.
For more information, please visit www.HandsFreeTN.com.
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