A state senator is seeking to adjust the state’s hands-free law to ensure “we don’t make criminals out of Georgia citizens,” adding that he feels Senate Bill 356 would allow law enforcement to focus on “the real distracted drivers.” But Sen. Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville) received some pushback Thursday from several members of the Senate Public Safety Committee who expressed concerns over the changes.
Ginn had hoped for a vote, but will have to wait since Chairman John Albers (R-Roswell) postponed the vote after committee members received an amended bill only four hours prior to Thursday’s meeting.
“We should have law enforcement focusing on those who are moving and driving distracted, not those who are absolutely stationary,” said Ginn. “Let’s be clear, I don’t want anyone driving at any speed without their full attention on what they are doing. I agree that distracted driving is dangerous. And as chair of the transportation committee, I take this very seriously. If you are driving, the phone should be in a cradle. But if you are sitting still, I believe you should be able to bring the phone to eye level and into the field of vision.I believe that’s safer than drivers sneaking a look down at their phone.”
Ginn’s original draft of the bill allowed drivers to be able to use their phones any time they are stopped but it was amended to say that this would apply only if the driver is at a traffic control device, like a stop sign or red light, not simply stopped in traffic. He said states like Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee already have laws similar to Senate Bill 356.
Ginn’s amended bill was presented to the committee members a little more than four hours prior to the meeting. Albers said because it was their policy to allow committee members to see the bill 24 hours prior to a vote, he postponed any action Thursday – possibly pushing the vote to next Tuesday.
While there was much testimony against the bill – from insurance companies, the Medical Association of Georgia, the former and current directors of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and director of the Georgia Association of Police Chiefs – members of the Senate committee seemed mixed on their reactions.
“I hate to admit it, but I probably break the law a lot by touching my phone while I am driving,” said Sen. Carden Summers (R-Cordele) and a co-sponsor of the bill. “I try to do the best I can, but I admit sometimes I do touch my phone. We can’t legislate everything.”
But Sen. Randy Robertson (R-Cataula) says “with public safety we should always err on the side of caution.”
Robertson expressed concerns over the safety of pedestrians in traffic-controlled crosswalks. “I think the driver should be watching pedestrians and not looking at their phone.”
Many of those speaking in opposition to the bill said they had worked hard to pass the hands-free law several years ago. “Our position remains the same, “you should not have the phone in your hand for any reason,” said Jeff Norton of the Medical Association of Georgia.
