Cracking Down on Distracted Driving
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and today, law enforcement hit the streets for Operation Hands Free—a statewide effort to crack down on distracted drivers and highlight the dangers of using a phone behind the wheel.
In Chattanooga, officers boarded a CARTA bus, using the higher vantage point to spot drivers holding or using their phones.
With a police escort, the bus moved through the city as state troopers relayed violations to officers on the ground, who pulled drivers over and issued citations.
Tennessee’s Hands-Free Law, in effect since 2019, prohibits drivers from holding a phone for any reason. This includes texting, scrolling, or even talking while holding the device.
First-time offenders face a $50 fine, but penalties increase for repeat violations, work zone offenses, or incidents involving injuries.
According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, more than 20,000 crashes each year are caused by distracted driving. Nationwide, distracted driving claimed over 3,300 lives in 2022 alone.
Officials say the goal isn’t just to write tickets—it’s to save lives.
They’re urging drivers to put their phones down, use hands-free technology when necessary, and stay focused.
The message is clear: no text, call, or notification is worth a crash.
