Things to come?

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has signed into law the so-called “Ricky Otts Act,” a bill that for the first time would require law enforcement officials to arrest drivers involved in serious automobile accidents who don’t have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
The Ricky Otts Act was inspired by a 2010 automobile accident in when Mr. Otts was killed on his motorcycle by a man driving an SUV. The SUV driver did not have a driver’s license or proof of insurance at the time of the wreck and  only received a misdemeanor citation for failing to drive without proper documentation.
Under this new law, instead of issuing a citation, law enforcement officials would be required to arrest such drivers in accidents that resulted in serious bodily harm or the death of the other driver.
Our Tennessee neighbors are putting some teeth into their laws to incentivize driver’s to abide by their safety rules and keep motorists safe.

Bettina Altizer- Attorney at Law
Altizer and Altizer
324 Washington Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia, 24016
540-345-2000