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EXPLANATION OF CODES:
BLUE FONT: Original post.
RED FONT: Response to post.
GREEN FONT: Editorial comment.
POST HC-(**number**): Post identification number in this topic. Posts listed in reverse chronological order. Please refer to this post number, when replying to a post.
| The following entries, submitted by area constituents, are distributed by me in this blog as a public service to increase dialog about issues of importance to Blount and Sevier County residents. I do not necessarily agree with or endorse any statement made herein. Our form of government works best, when many, differing viewpoints are heard and considered. The process is often "messy." Read, think, and offer your opinions. Most importantly, though, make up your own mind.
State Senator Raymond Finney |
POST SF-4: HANDGUN CARRY BY PERMIT INTO STATE-MANAGED LANDS.
Received: April 22, 2007. Added: April 22, 2007.
James, Maryville
POST SF-3: CELL 'PHONE USAGE WHILE DRIVING.
Received: November 16, 2006. Added: November 17, 2006.
I feel my safety in an automobile is endangered by people who drive, while talking on a cellular telephone. A friend in Nashville believes there is a law in Tennessee to prohibit this activity. This law seems to be ignored and not enforced. Why?
T.S., Sevier County
EDITOR'S COMMENT: There was a proposal for the Metropolitan Nashville government to enact an ordinance to prohibit operating a motor vehicle while using any cellular telephone, unless hands-free technology is used. This ordinance did not pass. Amid much controversy, the proposal was withdrawn. I do not know of any local or state prohibition of driving by adults while preoccupied with use of a cell 'phone within the State of Tennessee. There is one exception for minors who operate motor vehicles:
The Tennessee General Assembly enacted in 2005 a law to address this issue in minors. This law is found in Chapter 236, codified as 55-50-311(n):
(n) (1) No driver possessing a learner permit or intermediate driver license pursuant to the provisions of this section shall operate a motor vehicle in motion on any highway while using a hand held cellular telephone, cellular car telephone, or other mobile telephone.
(2) A violation of this subsection (n) is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable only as follows:
(A) A fine of fifty dollars ($50.00); and
(B) Such driver shall be ineligible to apply for an intermediate or unrestricted driver license for an additional ninety (90) days from the time such driver would otherwise be eligible to obtain such license type.
(3) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this subsection (n), which must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence, that the driver's use of a hand held cellular or cellular car telephone was necessitated by a bona fide emergency. The use of a mobile phone while operating a vehicle by any driver who is eighteen (18) years of age or less to communicate with such person's custodial parents shall be deemed a bona fide emergency and shall not be a violation of this subsection (n).
State Senator Raymond Finney, November 17, 2006
POST SF-2: GUN SAFETY.
Received: September 13, 2006. Added: September 13, 2006.
Please practice gun safety to prevent accidental shootings. The Second Amendment gives us the right to own and use firearms. Carelessness causes gun control activists to have more ammunition (no pun intended) to try to restrict or ban gun ownership. If you own a gun, know how to store and use the gun at all times. Protect our children from tragic accidents.
John (a gun owner and NRA member), Maryville
POST SF-1: LACK OF ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS.
Received: September 11, 2006. Added: September 11, 2006.
Safety on the highways is a main concern of mine. There is more and more traffic (cars and trucks especially), more and more aggressive drivers. There seems to be a lack of enforcement of speed limits and reckless driving laws by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. It sems you hardly ever see any on the Interstates. I am from the Knoxville area and I was told there are 12,000 trucks a day passing through Knoxville. The speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph for
truck (to reduce emmissions, I understand) and 65 mph for cars. My experience has been the trucks are speeding at least 10 mph on the average. It is ridiculous. There seems to be no enforcement. Even locally on Highway 66 where the speed limit from I-40 to Sevierville is 45 mph, most are pushing 55mph. I do not understand why we do not have better enforcement of the laws. I am sure that many of the accidents, loss of property, injuries, and deaths are due to excessive speed. Probably more than the DUI accidents, which are also a problem.
Paul, Kodak
RESPONSE TO POST SF-1:
Received: January 24, 2007 Posted: January 24, 2007
Your opinion really hit home with my family. We recently moved here to Tennessee and I thought that California road traffic and tempers were bad-- especially the truckers! We try to obey the speed limit laws and the truckers (most of them) could care less. They are trying to get to where they are going in a hurry (understandable), but they would run you over before they would slow down for laws and safety. We find ourselves speeding just to stay alive on these roads praying that we will not get a ticket nor get in an accident. The laws really do need more enforcement on the highways. On the other hand, I feel that the low speed limits of 35 mph need to be adjusted upward in the Sevierville area exiting off 1-40 thru 66. The speed limit is set (I heard) so tourists will not speed by businesses going toward Pigeon Forge. A perfect speed for the area would be 50 mph which is what most people are doing anyway on that section.
Greg, Sevierville