State Legislators Propose Criminal Charges For Blocking Roadways

Photo: Nashville, TN ; Photo Credit: JimmyDominico / Pixabay

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

Two state legislators are pushing a bill that would add a new charge of aggravated reckless driving on roads and properties in Tennessee.

State Representative John Gillespie of Memphis and State Senator John Stevens of Huntingdon filed HB 1661/SB 1673 on Tuesday.

The bill would create a new Class A misdemeanor charge of aggravated reckless driving for those who knowingly block traffic. The crime would be punishable with a fine of up to $2500.

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The bill defines aggravated reckless driving when someone “intentionally or knowingly impedes traffic upon a public street, highway, alley, parking lot, or driveway, or on the premises of a shopping center, trailer park, apartment house complex, or any other premises accessible to motor vehicles that are generally frequented by the public at large.”

This is not Gillespie’s only recent effort on creating safer streets in Tennessee. During the last legislative session, he sponsored a bill to stiffen the penalties on illegal drag racing. That bill was signed by Governor Lee in July.

If the aggravated reckless driving bill passes, it will be effective on July 1, 2022.

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Directory for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com