A new law was just enacted aimed at cracking down on road rage and drive-by shooting incidents in the Volunteer State.
Tennessee Law Increases Penalties for Roadway Gun-Related Incidents
Effective July 1st, if a person is convicted of aggravated assault by using or displaying a deadly weapon, they’ll be punished one tier higher than was previously enforced if the incident involves discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle. The law comes amid a dramatic uptick in drive-by shootings and violent road rage incidents across the state, prompting lawmakers to take action.
The legislation was passed almost unanimously by the Tennessee House and Senate and swiftly signed into law by Governor Bill Lee.
As we previously noted earlier in the year, road rage incidents are on a dramatic rise not only in Tennessee, but around the country as well. Here are just a few shocking nationwide headlines that have made the news in the past several days alone:
- Road rage incident in Philadelphia suburb leads to chase, shooting, and fiery crash
- Portion of Route 50 in Virginia shut down after road rage incident
- A pregnant woman is brutally beaten in Bronx road rage attack and later has miscarriage
- Beloved Houston pastor killed in road rage incident
Dealing With Roadway and Gun Violence
As these and many other cases have demonstrated, even minor incidents can escalate into deadly confrontations, and it’s simply not worth it to argue with someone while driving. Aside from the potential of a fatal outcome, these incidents can lead to accidents and driving citations, both of which can severely impact your insurance rates.
While the new drive-by shooting law may help curb some roadway violence by landing offenders behind bars longer, it still does not address the larger issue at hand. This includes a nationwide mental health crisis, along with a population that is dealing with a divisive political environment, inflation-related financial hardships and the stressful aftermath of a global pandemic. We all need to do our part and stay calm and patient on the road, no matter who or what you encounter.
Conclusion
If you have been involved in an accident and suffered injuries due to someone else’s aggressive driving, contact our office for a FREE and confidential consultation, and we will evaluate your case at no charge to you. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no cost unless compensation has been obtained through a settlement or verdict.
Stay safe. Because we care…
Stillman & Friedland Attorneys
