FALL BRANCH, Tenn — Drivers in Tennessee will soon face a harsher penalty if they're caught texting and driving.
A new law that goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, will increase the number of points charged for distracted driving citations.
"Statistically speaking we do see it mostly in ages 16 to 30," said Matt Blankenship, a Tennessee Highway Patrol Sergeant. "But they are more focused with this law on juvenile drivers because, as we said before, there is an uptick in the juvenile rate of distracted driving."
The new law, also called the Eddie Conrad Act, was named after a middle Tennessee businessman who was killed after being hit by a distracted driver in 2020.
"No text, no call, no video to watch is worthy of your life or the life of someone else or the life of someone in your car," said Blankenship. "We just want to stress the importance of that phone call can wait, that Instagram post can wait, Facebook can wait. Just focus on getting where you want to be safe because you matter to someone more than yourself."
The new law will impact young drivers the most. People under the age of 18 will get seven points for a second offense which is enough to have their license suspended for up to a year.
Anyone 18 or older will get four points for a first or second offense and five points for a third offense.
Adult distracted drivers can also face a class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $50.
Sgt. Blankenship said at the THP Fall Branch District, officers have written 75 distracted driving citations in their 14 county district in less than a month.
"You're seen with your phone in your hand or talking, holding your phone up to your face, talking with your phone, you can be pulled over just for that. You don't have to be pulled over for something else, it's not secondary, it's a primary offense," he said.
The new law also includes stricter punishments for holding, reading on, or reaching for an electronic device while driving.