A series of new state laws are set to impact everyday driving in Tennessee, with changes ranging from how drivers show registration to what qualifies as a misdemeanor on the road.
On July 1, several new laws will take effect in the Volunteer State, including one that makes it a criminal offense to point a laser at a driver, another requiring law enforcement to accept digital vehicle registration, and a measure that downgrades certain license-related violations.
HB0191, which passed the Tennessee General Assembly unanimously, makes it a Class B misdemeanor to “knowingly activate and point a laser pointer or other device utilizing a laser beam at a person operating an automobile, boat, aircraft, or other motor vehicle.”
While owning a laser pointer is legal, it is unsafe if the beam is flashed in someone’s eye or causes a driver or pilot to be distracted or flash blinded.
In 2009, Tennessee law was amended to make pointing a laser at a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or other emergency service personnel with the intent to “place such individual in fear of serious bodily injury or death” a criminal offense.
Another law set to take effect next week is SB0228, the Law Enforcement’s Safer Tennessee Electronic Registration (LESTER) Act, which requires law enforcement to accept a digital copy of vehicle registration as proof of registration.
A law enforcement officer, however, has the discretion to not accept a proof of digital registration under the new law if “the image is not clear enough for the officer to determine the information” or if the officer “believes the image or the information contained in the image is fraudulent or inaccurate.”
When it comes to traffic citations, HB0816 limits the number of driver’s license points that can be added to a person’s record for driving with a canceled, suspended, or revoked license.
As of July 1, “not more than four points shall be assessed to a person’s driver record for the offense of operating a motor vehicle while the person’s driving privilege is cancelled, suspended, or revoked,” according to the new law.
With regard to individuals blocking roads for “soliciting, negotiating, or consummating employment transactions with a person standing on or in proximity to the street or highway,” SB0248, as of July 1, makes it a Class C misdemeanor for someone in a vehicle to stop, park, or block traffic on a public road for such purposes.
The misdemeanor is elevated to a Class B if an accident is caused by individuals who block roads or impede traffic to solicit or complete a job-related transaction.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
GREAT IDEA on SB0028 ! It’s not like people could use AI to make “digital” copies of anything.🙄