Find cheap car insurance in Chattanooga, a southeast Tennessee city in the foothills of the Appalachians. Located on the river of the same name, Chattanooga has an estimated population of 177,571 and lies about 120 miles northwest of Atlanta. It's the only American city with its own established typeface, known as “Chatype,” and also the birthplace of the tow truck. The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum is among its unique attractions, along with its 9-day Riverbend Festival.

Driving Conditions in Chattanooga

Chattanooga is considered a transportation hub and has an extensive traffic infrastructure, plus bus service and a bike-sharing program. Chattanooga ranks No. 1 in the country for freight moving through by truck, according to a freight study by Cambridge Systematics, a fact that doesn't spell good news for traffic congestion especially during rush hour. Still, the average commute time is just under 23 minutes, shorter than the national average of 26 minutes.

The website, smartway.tn.gov/traffic, displays real-time information on accidents, construction and weather-related delays. These include live streaming cameras and message boards in Memphis. Information is also dispersed through the Tennessee Department of Transportation's Twitter account. Drivers can also access road and traveling conditions by calling 511, an automated voice response system through which callers can ask for specific roadways or regions.

Unique Laws in Chattanooga

Tennessee laws forbid anyone to stand on the roadway to solicit either a ride or employment from drivers. Also, if your car’s sound system can be heard 50 feet away, it is considered excessive noise. Shooting at game from your car also is illegal, as is using a lasso to catch a fish, sharing your Netflix password or failing to install a hitching post in front of your business. A (thankfully) vague law prohibits “crimes against nature,” and parents may not require children to pick up trash from the road on Easter Sunday.

Chattanooga Crime Statistics

Chattanooga in 2016 was ranked 63rd on a list of worst cities for car theft published by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The Chattanooga metro area reported 1,881 cases of auto theft, or a rate of Glendale reported 353 cases of auto theft in 2015, according to the National Insurance Crim347 incidents per 100,000 people. This is higher than the national average of 220 incidents per 100,000 people.

Chattanooga Safety Requirements

Texting while driving is illegal and all drivers and passengers must wear seat belts, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. In addition, motorcyclists and their passengers must wear helmets that meet federal safety standards. Approved car seats are required for children up to age 3, and booster systems are required for those 4 to 8 years old who are under 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Infants under age 1 must ride in a rear-facing seat. Drivers must move over when possible while passing a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights engaged.

Chattanooga Impaired Driving Laws

Drivers over 21 with a blood or breath alcohol content of .08 are higher can be charged with driving under the influence, as can those under 21 with a .02 result, Tennessee laws state. First-time offenders are subject to a $350 minimum fine and 48 hours in jail, plus paying for towing and storage. Charges are enhanced if the driver's BAC is higher than the legal limit or if children in the car at the time of arrest. Note that open alcohol containers anywhere in the car are illegal, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Contact us to compare rates for cheap car insurance in Chattanooga.