Police to strictly enforce 'Hands Free Tennessee' this Labor Day weekend, plus what to know before you go

The Tennessean

The end of summer is just around the corner, as kids head back to school, the days get shorter and Labor Day weekend sales approach.

Often bittersweet, Labor Day weekend can also include travel headaches and weather concerns as hurricane season moves in.

This year, too, law enforcement agencies say they will be strictly enforcing new driving laws for those on the move this holiday.

Here's what you need to know if you're headed across or out of Tennessee this weekend.

The reason for the season:Why we celebrate Labor Day, a holiday that had a violent start

Gas prices headed for three-year low

For those traveling by car, some good news: AAA reports gas prices this weekend are likely to stay at a three-year low.

2019's national average gas price this week is $2.59 a gallon, the company reported, down nearly a quarter from last year's $2.83 at this time.

“For Americans who bookend summer with road trips, they will find gas prices this coming weekend that are cheaper than this past Memorial Day and last year’s Labor Day holiday,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “At the start of the week, two-thirds of all states have gas price averages that are nearly a quarter cheaper than last year.”

Tennessee did not rank as either the most- or least-expensive this year, but gas prices in the South and Southeast region have dipped to or below the $2.25/gallon mark for some states, which also tout the cheapest prices in the country today:

Mississippi ($2.20),
Louisiana ($2.20),
Alabama ($2.23)
and South Carolina ($2.23).

AAA predicts the rest of the region is likely to see averages drop all the way to $2 per gallon in some parts of the region in the next few weeks.

It is not unusual for prices to swing up a little ahead of holidays as companies focus on profit, but AAA says those swings are unlikely to be long term changes.

For more on gas prices across the nation, visit AAA.

Hands-free enforcement to start in earnest

The Tennessee Highway Patrol will strictly enforce Tennessee's new Hands Free Tennessee law this weekend, according to a release from the department.

To recap the new law, which went into effect July 1, most use of cell phones and other mobile devices is banned while driving.

There are exceptions to the law, mostly centered around the use of a cell phone in an emergency, but overall drivers must rely on voice control to make calls or operate a mobile device. A driver can use a single button to activate voice control as necessary.

Violating the law can involve fines, points on a license and a moving violation citation.

Fines for violations of the law include:

$50 = First-time offense
$100 = Third-time offense or higher; violation results in a car crash
$200 = Violation occurs in a work zone while workers are present; violation occurs in a marked school zone while flashers are in operation

For more information on distracted driving and Hands Free Tennessee, visit handsfreetn.com.

Hurricane Dorian threatens Southeast

Dorian has become a Category 1 hurricane and it's on track to threaten the east coasts of Florida and Georgia as a major storm, according to the latest National Hurricane Center advisory.

Dorian became a hurricane near St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dorian was moving northwest at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, according to the NHC.

"All indications are that by this Labor Day weekend, a powerful hurricane will be near the Florida or southeastern coast of the United States," the NHC's forecast discussion states.

The storm remains on track to become better organized and sweep through parts of Florida and the southeast by Sunday, with other hazardous weather conditions possible further inland.

National Weather Service forecasts across Tennessee predict mostly sunny days with highs in the low 90s and lows in the upper 60s or low 70s for the Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis areas through next Wednesday.

Interstate traffic, all lanes open

The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced Monday that all lane closures will be stopped from Friday afternoon until Tuesday morning.

Some areas under construction will still be active work sites, with work zone speed limits and hazards, so drivers are encouraged to remain aware. Fines for speeding in work zones start at $250 and can include court fees and higher insurance premiums.

“The Labor Day holiday is a busy travel time,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright. “We want to ensure that the thousands of travelers using Tennessee’s roadways during this period arrive at their destinations quickly and safely without being impeded by road construction delays.”

Construction crews will stop all lane closure activity beginning at noon on Aug. 30 through 6 a.m. on Sept. 3.

Airports encourage early arrivals

More than 17.5 million passengers are expected to travel through U.S. airports over the holiday weekend, according to trade group Airlines for America, a 4% increase over last year.

Nashville International Airport joined others across the country in expecting heavy departing traffic, according to BNA spokesperson Shannon Sumrall.

"We always recommend arriving two hours prior to your departing flight," Sumrall said in an email Wednesday.

Travelers can check the TSA website for wait times at local airports, as well as each airport's departure boards to find delays or cancellations as they arise.

BNA's updates can be found at flynashville.com; Knoxville's McGhee Tyson at flyknoxville.com; and Memphis International Airport at flymemphis.com.

UT v. Georgia home opener

Traffic on Interstate 40 in Knox County may be especially backed up Saturday morning and early afternoon, as the UT Vols open the 2019 football season with a home game vs. Georgia State

Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. Eastern.

For more information on where to watch, check out the coverage in Knox News.

Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms.