55-9-105 - Televisions in motor vehicles Operation or installation Applicability Violations. - Tennessee Statutes

55-9-105. Televisions in motor vehicles Operation or installation Applicability Violations.

(a)  A person shall not operate a motor vehicle with a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen capable of displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, if the receiver, monitor or screen is intended to display images visible to the driver in a normal position when the vehicle is in motion.

(b)  A person shall not install in a motor vehicle a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen capable of displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, if the receiver, monitor or screen is intended to display images visible to the driver in a normal position when the vehicle is in motion.

(c)  The prohibitions contained in this section shall not apply to:

     (1)  The following equipment when installed in a motor vehicle:

          (A)  A vehicle information display;

          (B)  A navigation or global positioning display;

          (C)  A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle; or

          (D)  A television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen or any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if the equipment is designed to prevent the driver from viewing the entertainment or business application when the motor vehicle is being driven;

     (2)  Television receivers or monitors used in government-owned vehicles by law enforcement officers in the course of their official duties;

     (3)  A wireless telephone or communication device when used for placing or receiving a telephone call or to access a navigation or global positioning display;

     (4)  Electronic monitors or displays used to monitor livestock being transported; or

     (5)  (A)  Computer or other electronic displays or monitors used in utility vehicles by employees of the utility in the course of their official duties; provided, however, that use shall be permitted only while the vehicle is stopped, standing or parked;

          (B)  As used in subdivision (c)(5)(A), “utility” means any person, municipality, county, metropolitan government, cooperative, board, commission, district, or any entity created or authorized by public act, private act or general law to provide electricity, natural gas, water, waste water services, telephone service or any combination thereof, for sale to consumers in any particular service area; and

          (C)  As used in subdivision (c)(5)(B), “cooperative” means any cooperative providing utility services, including, but not limited to, electric or telephone services, or both.

(d)  This section does not apply to local, state or federal law enforcement officers who are engaged in the performance of their official duties.

(e)  A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

[Acts 1955, ch. 40, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A., § 59-927; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1992, ch. 597, § 1; 1994, ch. 877, § 1; 2001, ch. 2, § 1; 2002, ch. 524, § 1; 2007, ch. 7, § 1.]