TCA 55-8-136
Drivers to exercise due care
MISDEMEANOR CClass C Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply
What does this charge mean?
Drivers to exercise due care — Class C misdemeanor. Up to 30 days in jail and $50 fine. Penalty may be enhanced for prior offenses or aggravating factors.
Penalty Details
ClassificationClass C Misdemeanor
Maximum Jail30 days
Maximum Fine$50
Penalty SummaryClass C misdemeanor; 30 days; fine up to $50
(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this chapter, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway, and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary, and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway. (2) tandem wheels, either of which is more than twenty inches (20") in diameter. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101Driver: means :(A) For purposes of a conventionally operated vehicle, every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101Pedestrian: means any person afoot or using a motorized or non-motorized wheelchair. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101Person: means a natural person, firm, copartnership, association, corporation, or an engaged ADS. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101Property: includes both personal and real property. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Right-of-way: means the privilege of the immediate use of the roadway. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101Road: includes public bridges and may be held equivalent to the words "county way" "county road" or "state road". See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Roadway: means that portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101Sidewalk: means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for use of pedestrians. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101Vehicle: means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101(b) Notwithstanding any speed limit or zone in effect at the time, or right-of-way rules that may be applicable, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care by operating the vehicle at a safe speed, by maintaining a safe lookout, by keeping the vehicle under proper control and by devoting full time and attention to operating the vehicle, under the existing circumstances as necessary in order to be able to see and to avoid endangering life, limb or property and to see and avoid colliding with any other vehicle or person, or any road sign, guard rail or any fixed object either legally using or legally parked or legally placed, upon any roadway, within or beside the roadway right-of-way including, but not limited to, any adjacent sidewalk, bicycle lane, shoulder or berm. (c) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026
Recent Bookings with this Charge
View allDEANGELO MILLER
Hamilton Co. · Mar 15, 2026
Alexi Ferrera
Hamilton Co. · Mar 12, 2026
Sebastian Garcia
Hamilton Co. · Mar 12, 2026
Tony Carreathers
Hamilton Co. · Mar 12, 2026
Nicole Cruze
Sullivan Co. · Mar 12, 2026
Jacqueline Allison-Jester
Sullivan Co. · Mar 12, 2026
Tayshun Thomas
Shelby Co. · Mar 11, 2026
Lavada Carnes
Hamilton Co. · Mar 10, 2026
Quick Facts
MISDEMEANOR C
TCA Section55-8-136
Max Jail30 days
Max Fine$50
Recent Bookings8+
Geographic Distribution
Hamilton42
Shelby26
Anderson14
Sevier7
Knox6
Hamblen6
McMinn5
Campbell5
Washington4
Sullivan4
Scott3
Macon3
+ 18 more counties