Tenn. Highway Safety Office launches ‘Operation Hands Free’

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 four press events on April 1 at 10 a.m. (local time) including bus tours in Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. See below for details to attend and ride along.
“The THSO is proud to continue collaborating with the NHTSA, THP, TDOT, and our many traffic safety partners across Tennessee,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “Since 2017, we’ve been working with agencies statewide to localize this effort, and now it’s become a common practice. In 2021, the THSO was honored to receive the Governor’s Highway Safety Association’s Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award for the innovative bus-tour concept and its effectiveness.”
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.
“Distracted driving is one of the most preventable causes of death and injury on our roadways,” said THP Colonel Matt Perry. “For the safety of yourself and others, put all distractions away the moment you start your ignition. If you see unsafe driving behaviors you can reach THP dispatch by dialing *THP (847) using your hands-free device, or have a passenger make the call. Exercise good judgement and be safe.”
According to Tennessee’s Hands Free Law (T.C.A. § 55-8-199), 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. Drivers can learn more at www.HandsFreeTN.com. Visit the following link to access distracted-driving crash data provided by Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN): https://www.tn.gov/safety/stats/dashboards/distracted-driver.html.