TN Lawmakers Consider Talking while Driving Ban - John Dunn

Stream Fox 17 newscasts LIVE starting with Fox 17 This Morning at 5 am and News at 9 pm. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It is a new proposal that would impact every driver in Tennessee. Some say it is time to make it a crime to talk on your phone while driving. The proposal will soon be considered by state lawmakers, and supporters say it's all about safety. More than two-thirds of drivers say they talk on their phone while driving a car. If you spend just a few minutes watching the road, you're sure to see someone talking and driving. It's perfectly legal in Tennessee, but some believe it's causing a lot of distraction. Too many times I've seen people talking on their phones and pulling out in front of you, or doing something stupid, says driver Lea Glass. Now the issue is getting attention from a bipartisan group of state lawmakers who say it's time to rewrite the rules. If you're distracted for a brief moment, that would impair your driving, says TN Rep. Jim Coley, (R) Bartlett. Representative Jim Coley has been studying the statistics. The CDC reports more than nine people are killed in the United States each day in crashes that involve a distracted driver. Coley believes it's time to improve safety, even though he admits he too has used his phone while driving. I've talked on the phone while I've been driving, and I've been distracted, and I've almost had wrecks, says Rep. Coley. Coley's bill would still allow drivers to use hands free devices, or make emergency calls, and some drivers agree with him. Unless it's an emergency it's not really that necessary, cause you're on your cell phone, you might not be paying attention, and you might cause a wreck or hit somebody, says driver Patrice Smith. I can't do two things at once to start with, so you don't need to be doing it, says driver Steve Glass. Others believe drivers will have trouble changing their habits and there are better ways to improve safety. I think there's an inherent danger with driving. People are going to be distracted. I think if you want to outlaw anything, I think outlawing eating while driving would be a much more effective law, says driver Angelo Gelfuso. Representative Coley will present his legislation next week, and he admits that it will be a challenge to get full passage, however, he believes it's worth having this discussion to improve safety on the roads. For news updates follow John Dunn on twitter @WZTVJohnDunn Follow us on Twitter @wztv_fox17 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates. _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WZTV on Facebook:   / foxnashville   WZTV on Twitter:   / foxnashville   Subscribe to WZTV on YouTube:    / @fox17nashville   Daily News Playlist:    • Playlist   For more information, visit https://fox17.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 615.369.1717 Fox 17 provides local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment for Nashville and nearby towns and communities in Middle Tennessee, including Forest Hills, Brentwood, Franklin, Fairview, Dickson, Clarksville, White House, Greenbrier, Springfield, Gallatin, Hartsville, Lebanon, Mt Juliet, Smyrna, College Grove, Thompson’s Station, Centerville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Lewisburg, Shelbyville, Manchester, McMinnville, Smithville, Sparta, Cookeville, Hohenwald, Waverly, Camden, Paris, Lafayette, Portland, and in Kentucky, Russelville, Bowling Green, Franklin, Alvaton, Scottsville, Hopkinsville, Glasgow. #WZTV #fox17news #foxnashville