Campus Police and Hands-Free TN Distracted Driving Campaign

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) has officially launched the Hands-Free TN Distracted Driving Campaign, running April 1-15, 2026. The University of Tennessee Health Sciences Campus Police Department is proud to join this statewide effort to promote safer roads and responsible driving habits.

This campaign is designed to raise awareness about Tennessee's "Hands-Free Law," formally known as Public Chapter No. 412, which went into effect on July 1, 2019. The law requires drivers to put down their phones and keep their focus where it belongs, on the road. By reducing distracted driving, the initiative aims to prevent crashes, injuries, and fatalities across the state. In Tennessee from February 2025 to January 2026, one out of 14 crashes involved a distracted driver.

UT Health Sciences Campus Police are encouraging all students, faculty, and staff to take part by pledging to go "Hands Free." Participating is simple: commit to putting your phone down while operating a motor vehicle. No calls, no texts, no distractions, just safe, attentive driving.

Safety doesn't stop behind the wheel. Pedestrians are also urged to stay alert by putting their phones away when crossing streets and using crosswalks. Staying aware of your surroundings can make a critical difference in preventing accidents.

Tennessee law makes it illegal for a driver to:

• Hold a cell phone or mobile device with any part of their body
• Write, send, or read any text-based communication
• Reach for a cell phone or mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained by a seat belt
• Watch a video or movie on a cell phone or mobile device
• Record or broadcast video on a cell phone or mobile device

Join us in making Tennessee's roads and our campus community safer for everyone. Take the pledge. Go Hands Free. Let's eliminate distracted driving-related fatalities and injuries for good.

For more information,visit HandsFreeTN.com.