If you drive much in Georgia you’re surely by now used to dodging swerving cars filled with texting, (snap)chatting, or instagramming drivers who do their part in contributing to some of the most dangerous and accident-filled roads in America. Well a new law, signed by Governor Nathan Deal and set to go into action on July 1st, should help put a dent into distracted driving and keep our streets a little safer.
House Bill 673, known as the ‘Hands-Free Georgia Act,’ will disallow the following:
- Holding a phone (or other stand-alone electronic device such as an iPod or god forbid a Game Boy) in your hands or any other part of the body.
- Writing, sending, or reading any text-based messages (ie texts, emails, What’s App, etc…)
- Watching a video or viewing any data other than GPS navigation
- Recording a video or taking a picture
To use a phone it must be via hands-free technology or via a one-touch button press while on the seat or in a holder. Police, emergency services, and utility workers are still allowed to use their mobile devices as before.
The bill is a spiritual successor to a 2010 anti-texting law, which was difficult if not impossible for police to enforce due to the fact that anyone pulled over could say that they were just using their phone for navigational purposes. Now that being caught holding a phone at all is grounds for ticketing, we should be seeing the law administered much more frequently and effectively.
According to state officials, 13 of the 15 states that have instituted similar ‘hands free’ laws have seen a 16% decrease in traffic deaths. Translated to Georgia’s numbers, we could see a drop of some 250 deaths a year.
Police officers have said they intend to issue a lot of warnings over the first few months the law is in effect, but punishments are as follows: First-time offenders get one point on their license and a $50 fine. The second offense is two points and $100, and the third offense is three points and $150.
So if you have the bad habit of texting or checking your email while driving – time to break it. Your wallet and your fellow drivers will thank you.
