Civil Engineer (Transportation)
The position serves as a Safety Engineer in the Technical Programs Team within the Tennessee Federal-aid Highway Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
Tennessee
GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Tennessee. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Tennessee
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.
Tennessee
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Universal helmet law enacted 1967.
Tennessee
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
8 years
Tennessee
Provisions for Mature Drivers
60 and over: fee reduced 65 and over: no expiration
Tennessee
Marijuana Possession and Use
Illegal
Tennessee
Marijuana Impaired Driving
None
Tennessee
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
None
Tennessee
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
70
Tennessee
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
70
Tennessee
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)
70
Tennessee
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
70
Tennessee
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)
65
Tennessee
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)
65
Tennessee
Increased penalty for high BAC
0.2
Tennessee
Administrative license suspension on first offense
1 year
Tennessee
Limited driving privileges during suspension
yes
Tennessee
Ignition Interlocks
Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions
Tennessee
Open container laws
No
Tennessee
Repeat Offender Laws
Yes
Tennessee
Child Restraint Required
Under 1 yr or 20 lbs or less in rear-facing child safety seat, following manufacturer instructions
1-3 yrs and over 20 lbs in harnessed child safety seat, following manufacturer instructions
4-9 yrs and shorter than 4'9" in booster seat, following manufacturer instructions (until 9th birthday)
9 yrs or younger and taller than 4'9", seat belt and in rear seat if available
Rear seat recommended for 9-12 yrs
Tennessee
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
9 yrs and older if taller than 4'9"
Tennessee
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No more than 1
Tennessee
Full Privilege Minimum Age
17 years
Tennessee
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15
Tennessee
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6
Tennessee
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 (10)
Tennessee
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16
Tennessee
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
11 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Tennessee
Type of Law
Primary
Tennessee
Who is Covered?
16 and over
Tennessee
In What Seat?
Front
Tennessee
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Tennessee
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Tennessee
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
Tennessee
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers, while vehicle is in motion. Primary law.
Tennessee
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted
In school zones; on any S-curve that inhibits a driver's vision through the bend
Tennessee
Red Light Cameras: State Law
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Tennessee
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted
Statewide
Tennessee
Speed Cameras: State Law
Permitted by state law
Ford DSFL Grant Results: Tennessee
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office was awarded a grant from Ford Driving Skills for Life & GHSA to educate and promote safe teen driving behavior through a series of in-person events in conjunction with SADD, Alliance Marketing & State Farm to connect schools with teen traffic safety activities.
Ford Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Award Grants to Help Combat Teen Speeding, Announce Return of Hands-On Training Clinics
Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford, & GHSA are extending their 18-year commitment to improving teen driving skills by awarding grants totaling $135,000 to six State Highway Safety Offices & announcing the return of Ford Driving Skills for Life hands-on driver training clinics.
Ford Fund and Governors Highway Safety Association Award Grants to Help Combat Teen Speeding, Announce Return of Hands-On Training Clinics
Ford Motor Company Fund and GHSA are extending their 18-year commitment to improving teen driving skills by awarding grants totaling $135,000 to six State Highway Safety Offices and announcing the return of Ford Driving Skills for Life hands-on driver training clinics.
States Ramp Up Traffic Safety Initiatives Ahead of Deadly Summer Travel Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2021
CONTACT: Adam Snider, 202-580-7930
202-365-8971 (after hours)
As traffic volumes rise, State Highway Safety Offices increase efforts to protect road users
States Ramp Up Traffic Safety Initiatives Ahead of Deadly Summer Travel Season
With more Americans returning to the road and millions expected to take summer road trips, GHSA is alerting motorists that State Highway Safety Offices and their partners are stepping up programs to make sure the nation’s roads are safe for everyone.
“Hands Across the Border” DUI Prevention Campaign Returns
With some states seeing an increase in alcohol-related crashes and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia is looking to get drunk and drugged drivers off the road during the 29th annual “Hands Across the Border” DUI enforcement and awareness campaign.
Operation Southern Shield Starts July 20th
On July 20th, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee will join forces for Operation Southern Shield.
Ford DSFL Grant Results: Tennessee
Through a grant from Ford Driving Skills for Life and GHSA, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) challenged five high schools across the state during the 2018-2019 school year to develop a three-minute educational video about Tennessee's Graduated Driver License (GDL) laws and regulations.
Tennessee Highway Safety Office and local law enforcement pair up for Operation Incognito
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is running it's annual Operation Incognito campaign to detect and deter distracted driving. THSO Director and GHSA Region 4 Representative Vic Donoho discusses the effort.