MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – Local 24 News political analyst and commentator Otis Sanfordshares his point of view on the hands-free law in Tennessee.
I don’t usually have many positive things to say about theTennessee legislature. Mostly because lawmakers spend the majority of theirtime on regressive bills that benefit their contributors more than ordinaryTennesseans. But earlier this year, lawmakers passed a bill that Iwholeheartedly agree with.
It’s called the Hands-Free law that went into effect July 1st.Essentially, it bans motorists from handling cell phones while driving.Violators face fines starting at $50.
But in Memphis, our police and city council can’t seem to figureout if the law should be enforced locally. So far, Memphis police have notwritten any tickets to drivers caught with their cellphones in hand. And thecouncil seems at a loss about whether to initiate a city ordinance that wouldsettle the issue.
I tend to side with council attorney Allan Wade who says policeabsolutely have the power to write tickets based on the new law. And if peoplewant to challenge it, bring it on. That sounds like a plan.
Here’s the deal. Driving while holding a cellphone is dangerous.And state lawmakers were correct to ban it. Since the law went into effect,Metro Nashville police have written tickets. So why not Memphis police?
As the city election approaches, this should be an easy call forthe council. Get to work on an ordinance. And show Memphians you care about oursafety. And that’s my point of view.