69-9-507 - Towing safety Rearview mirrors. - Tennessee Statutes

69-9-507. Towing safety Rearview mirrors.

(a)  No person shall utilize a personal watercraft to tow a person or persons on water skis or other water sport devices unless the personal watercraft has an observer on board, at least twelve (12) years of age, who can constantly observe the person or persons being towed, or it is equipped with rearview mirrors meeting the specifications established by statute or regulation of the commission.

(b)  The specifications for rearview mirrors on personal watercraft used for towing any person shall be as follows: Each mirror shall contain a minimum viewing size of sixty-five (65) square centimeters (10 sq. in.), a minimum viewing area height of sixty-four (64) millimeters (2.5 in.), and minimum viewing area width of one hundred (100) millimeters (4.0 in.). The mirrors shall be mounted or attached on both the right and left sides of the personal watercraft so as to provide the maximum rearward observation by the operator. Mirrors shall not be mounted or attached to the steering mechanism of the personal watercraft. The minimum combined viewing area of both mirrors shall be one hundred thirty (130) square centimeters (20 sq. in.).

(c)  It is a Class A misdemeanor to tow any person by personal watercraft unless the watercraft meets all of these specifications.

[Acts 1996, ch. 808, §§ 1, 2; 2000, ch. 595, § 1; T.C.A. § 69-10-507.]