Latest news with #OperationHandsFree
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Williamson County authorities crack down on distracted driving with safety operation
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Williamson County officers launched a safety operation to stop distracted driving as part of a state-wide safety campaign to remind drivers about Tennessee's distracted driving law. 'The goal is to educate and inform motorists [on] the dangers and hazards of distracted driving,' Greg Wilhelm, lieutenant in the Williamson County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit, said. RELATED | 'Operation Hands Free' kicks off across Tennessee Multiple law enforcement agencies in Williamson County participated and used an unmarked bus to spot distracted drivers along Interstate 65. Wilhelm told News 2 that the problem goes beyond just cell phones. During Wednesday's operation, News 2 saw one driver get pulled over for eating while driving. 'Eating while you're driving — using two hands to eat a cheeseburger — if you're putting the makeup on in the mirror while you're driving, that is distracted driving,' Wilhelm said. The only exception to Tennessee's hands-free law is if you are communicating with law enforcement during an emergency. 'We just have this nature — since the uptick in technology over the last two decades — that we have to do it right then and there,' Wilhem said. 'It's at our fingertips at any moment, so everybody feels compelled to address it right there.' Wilhelm said most people who get pulled over are understanding and apologetic. 'It can wait. That's the biggest message that I would like to push out to everybody,' Wilhelm added. JANUARY 2024: Harsher penalties for teens texting and driving now in effect in TN Last year in Williamson County, there were about three times as many crashes caused by distracted driving compared to impaired driving, according to the WCSO. 'Today's operation really is about keeping people safe. It's not about tickets,' WCSO public information officer Becky Coyle said. 'Nobody's keeping a tally of how many people we can ticket. … It really is about keeping our community safe.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tennessee is among worst state for drivers. 'Operation hands-free' aims to curb that
Watch out, Tennessee, using a phone while driving could get you in trouble this month. Starting April 1, the state of Tennessee is launching its "Operation Hands-Free" for the entire month of April. Officers from all major patrol divisions will aid local officials in the month-long endeavor. The operation aims to crack down on drivers who use their phones while on the road. Here's what to know about the initiative. According to Tennessee's Hands-Free Law, it is illegal for drivers to hold a cell phone or mobile device with any part of their body. This month, police will take extra time to make sure drivers are not driving while distracted. In April, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol will partner with TDOT, local law enforcement, and other traffic safety partners. The goal of the project is to crack down on bad driving, which caused 7.7 crashes per 100,000 in the state last year. While Tennessee is not the worst state for drivers, it is certainly not the best. According to ConsumerAffairs, Tennessee ranked as the No. 11 worst state for drivers. The state has a crash score of 38.6. Per 100,000 people, Tennessee had: 7.7 crashes related to bad driving 19 total fatalities 2.5 fatalities involving DUI 3.2 fatalities involving speeding 6.3 fatalities involving positive blood alcohol content Memphis repeats as city with worst drivers for second year in a row Memphis ranked as the city with the worst drivers for two consecutive years, scoring 77.3 out of 100. Memphis had the highest number of crash fatalities at 36.2 per 100,000 people and fatalities involving a driver with a positive blood alcohol content in the country at 13.5 per 100,000 people. Regarding bad driving, Memphis was also the worst city for crashes related to poor driving, with 16.5 crashes per 100,000 people. The national average is five crashes per 100,000 people. Other Tennessee cities ranked as worst for drivers include Knoxville at No. 25, Chattanooga at No. 34, Nashville at No. 53, Clarksville at No. 93, and Murfreesboro at No. 185. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What is 'Operation Hands Free'? Tennessee tries to curb bad driving
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City of Sevierville files lawsuit over Camping World's 130-foot-tall flagpole
SEIVERIVLLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The City of Sevierville has filed a lawsuit seeking to remove a large flagpole at the RV rental company Camping World, which it said violates the city's zoning ordinance. The lawsuit, filed on March 19, states that Camping World, along with Shipp's RV Centers, CWI, LLC, Camping World RV Sales, and FHRP Lincolnshire, LLC, violated a city zoning ordinance by having a 130-foot-tall flagpole at the Camping World located on Dumplin Valley Road in Sevierville. The area is zoned to only allow a 44-foot-tall flagpole. Study predicts Sevier County's employment to grow by 61% over the next 25 years In January 2024, the lawsuit claims Camping World and the other defendants applied to the City's Board of Zoning Appeals through the contractor 'Flag Systems' and asked for a permit to install the flagpole, which was denied during the board's February 1, 2024 meeting. The City claims that the defendants had the pole constructed, despite never filing an appeal to their denial. In January 2025, the City's Code Enforcement mailed a letter demanding Camping World company with the zoning ordinance within 30 days, and that not doing that could result in the City seeking legal action, the lawsuit stated. In February, 2025, Camping World's CEO Marcus Lemonis spoke with 6 News, saying the flag was 'not coming down,' adding that the flag has been in his family since he was young and that the flag was not a safety concern. 'Operation Hands Free' kicks off across Tennessee In addition to requesting an injunction for the flagpole to be taken down or otherwise reduce its hieght to be in compliance with the zoning ordinance, the City also asked to impose a civil penalty on Camping World and the other defendants. On March 5, 2025, the Sevierville Police Department issued a citation to the RV rental company because of the zoning ordinance violation and resulted in a $50 fine per day for every day of the violation, the lawsuit says. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘Operation Hands Free' kicks off across Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — On Tuesday, law enforcement agencies across the state launch 'Operation Hands Free' and focus on enforcing Tennessee's distracted driving laws. The initiative kicks off National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As such, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Tennessee Department of Transportation will focus on distracted driving. ⏩ According to data from Tennessee's Integrated Traffic Analysis Network, from February 1, 2024 through January 31 of this year, a crash involving a distracted driver happened once every 42 minutes and 51 seconds. During that same time period, one in every 25 drivers involved in a crash was distracted — that driver was frequently a man. State law makes it illegal for drivers to: Hold a cell phone or mobile device with any part of your body Read, write or send any text-based communication Reach for a cell phone or mobile device in such a way that you are no longer in a seate d driving position or properly restrained in a seat belt Watch a video or movie on a cell phone or mobile device Record a broadcast video on a cell phone or mobile device JANUARY 2024: Harsher penalties for teens texting and driving now in effect in TN First time offenders could expect to pay $50; the fine doubles for any third-time offense or higher or if the violation leads to a crash. The fine also increases to $200 if the violation happens in a work zone with workers present or in a marked school zone with flashing lights. Last year, the Eddie Conrad Law went into effect, meaning any teenage driver caught distracted more than once would receive seven points on their driving record. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
