KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As of Jan. 1st, there is a new state law in Tennessee that targets distracted driving.
The Eddie Conrad Act increases the number of points charged for a distracted driving citation. The law is named after a Middle Tennessee businessman who was killed by a distracted driver in 2020.
Championed by Sen. Mark Pody and Rep. Clark Boyd, this law specifically targets young drivers.
"There is an uptick in the juvenile rate of distracted driving," said Sgt. Matthew Blankenship with Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The Eddie Conrad Act impacts teenagers under 18 years old the most. Teens can now receive seven points on their driving record if they are caught driving distracted a second time. Seven points can lead to a suspended license for a year.
"What we've got to do is sell safe driving to the teenagers," said Greg Mangan, owner and driving instructor of Drive 4 Life Academy.
As for people over 18 years old, they can face a four-point record the first or second time caught, five points a third time and also a fine up to $50.
"We see selfies, we see texting, and a lot of makeup put on by drivers, and they're talking to their children in the backseat," Mangan said.
According to numbers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, people between 16 to 30 years old are most likely to drive distracted.
From 2022 to 2023, 3,917 people between 20 to 34 years drove while being distracted. While about 906 were over 65 years old.