Department of Public Safety
Safety Gram
Dale (Mac) McNeely Chief      Larry C. Lockmiller Operations Lt.

A new law was passed and went into effect on July 1st 2004.
It is Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-8-193

(a)     No person operating or occupying a motor vehicle on any public
street, highway, alley parking lot or driveway shall operate or permit the
operation of any of any sound amplification system, including, but not
limited to, any radio, tape, player, compact disc player, loud speaker, or
any other electrical device used for the amplification of sound from within
the motor vehicle so that the sound is plainly audible at a distance of
fifty (50) or more feet from the vehicle.  For the purpose of this section,
"plainly audible" means any sound which clearly can be heard, by unimpaired
auditory senses based on a direct line of sight fifty (50) or more feet,
however, words or phrases need not be discernible and such sound shall
include bass reverberation.

(b)     This section shall not be applicable to emergency or public safety
vehicles,      vehicles owned and operated by a municipal or county
government or any utility company, for sound emitted unavoidably during a
job related operation, school or community sponsored activities, auctioneers
or auctioning activities, boats or other watercrafts operated on waters or
any motor vehicle used in an authorized public activity for which a permit
has been granted by the appropriate agency of a municipal or county
government.

(c)     A violation of this act is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a
fine only up to fifty dollars ($ 50.00)

        If you have any questions about this safety gram or any other
security concerns, please contact our department (425-HELP).