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Rep.
Jim Hackworth
Sponsors Bill for Child Safety
Next week a bill that I am sponsoring is expected to be taken up on
the floor of the House of Representatives. This bill, while not as
controversial or exciting as many of the partisan issues you hear about
in the news, is something that I believe is very important and can help
in protecting our children.
Many of you have called or written me regarding your concerns about
our children’s safety while walking to and from school. Many of
you expressed concern that even with posted signs, flashing lights and
traffic guards present many drivers appear to be willing to drive
recklessly near schools.
House Bill 2653 is a bipartisan bill I have sponsored with Republican
State Senator Randy McNally that prohibits motor vehicles from crossing
a crosswalk in a school safety zone when a pedestrian is present in the
crosswalk. Presently, drivers are required to stop and are allowed
to move forward behind a pedestrian after they cross the center line.
Under the proposed change a vehicle must stay stopped until the
pedestrian gets to the other side of the street. I believe this
change is necessary because injuries and deaths are often a result of
children abruptly turning and vaulting back into the path of a vehicle.
Drivers in local school zones must recognize that kids are kids, and
that sometimes things can happen around a school that may require quick
reactions. All it takes is one careless driver not paying
attention to cause a fatality. Not recognizing this could mean the
difference between life and death. Our children are too fragile to
have speeders rampaging through school zones.
While I recognize we cannot legislate responsibility, we can make
laws to punish those who would act irresponsibly. Our children
will one day take our places as leaders in the community, so today we
must be leaders by helping to protect them.
If you would like to learn more about school zone safety legislation,
or if you have an issue you’d like me address, then please contact my
office at (615) 741-4400 or e-mail me at
rep.jim.hackworth@legislature.state.tn.us.
Thank you again for taking time to learn more about what your state
government is doing for you and I look forward to speaking with you
again soon.
It is important to me to know
where the citizens of the 33rd District stand on the issues. I hope that
you will contact me to let me know how you feel about the issues facing
our community. You can reach me in my legislative office at
1-800-449-8366, ext. 1-4400 or email me at rep.jim.hackworth@legislature.state.tn.us.
Rep. Jim Hackworth
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