Tennessee bill grants immunity to drivers who hit someone blocking highway
On March 3, the House Criminal Justice Committee considered a bill granting immunity to drivers who inadvertently injure someone who blocking the highway.
A bill passed by Tennessee General Assembly makes blocking a highway a felony.
The bill would upgrade the offense of obstructing a highway or street from a Class B or C misdemeanor to a Class E felony. It would also apply to obstructing a railway, waterway, hallway, “or any other place used for the passage of persons, vehicles or conveyances.”
Class E felonies are punishable by up to six years in prison. The bill would also impose a mandatory $3,000 fine on the person who blocks the traffic.
Any driver “who is exercising due care” inadvertently injures or kills someone blocking a highway would be immune from prosecution for the injury or death.
