RELATED CONTENT The case of the woefully unprepared driver, Part 1
In my last column, I told you the story of a local driver who pulled over improperly, into the center turning lane, because he was rattled by the sight of blue lights behind him. He was cited for six offenses, three of them for failure to have required documents in the car.
State law requires that automobiles on the roadways must be insured and properly registered. Tennessee now allows digital proof of insurance and registration, but I encourage everyone to keep a printed copy where they can quickly access it.
Officers and citizens are in a dangerous situation when stopped on the side of a busy roadway. For safety reasons, officers need to conclude the traffic stop as quickly as possible. If you have difficulty locating required documents, whether printed or on your digital device, officers are compelled to issue the citation for lack of proof. Clarksville Police Department (CPD) officers who issue e-citations cannot void or amend citations once created, even if you locate proof before you sign the citation. Keep your registration and proof of insurance handy!
The driver’s license issue is a no-brainer. We could not legally drive prior to obtaining a driver’s license, and we cannot legally drive without our driver’s license in our possession. Many of us, on some occasion, have found ourselves on the roadway without our driver’s license. The responsible action is to retrieve your license before continuing your travels. I have heard reports of, “I left it in my gym shorts,” “It was in my backpack,” “It was in my other pants,” “My dog chewed up my license,” “I destroyed my license while trying to use it to open a door,” and others. When you drive, ensure that you have your driver’s license with you. And it’s a good idea to avoid to using it as a household tool!
In our example case, the driver was found guilty of speeding and allowed to attend traffic school to avoid accruing points on his license. He pled not guilty for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Following a hearing some weeks later, with both officer and defendant presenting facts to the court, the driver was found guilty and a fine of $50 and costs was assessed. The defective license plate light was corrected, proof of insurance was presented, a current registration certificate was submitted, a valid driver’s license was produced, and those charges were dismissed.
This driver would have saved himself considerable time and money by simply following the Move Over Law and producing the required documentation to the officer.
Remember, if flashing blue lights are behind you, slowly and safely move to your right. Don’t slam on your brakes. Those flashing blue lights might rear-end you! Hopefully the blue lights will pass you by in response to another matter.
Please slow down, drive safely and I hope to see you around town — rather than in City Court.
Judge Charles W. Smith