Georgia has strict laws concerning texting and driving. First responders, utility company workers, contractors, and other employees are allowed to use their cell phones while driving, but ordinary drivers cannot. The only exceptions are for emergencies, reporting crimes, and traffic accidents. However, using a cell phone while driving can result in a $50 fine and one point on your license. If you are caught texting and driving in Georgia, be sure to stop and turn off your phone.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), texting and driving has led to a 12% increase in traffic fatalities in the first nine months of 2021. In Georgia, traffic fatalities climbed 12.2% to an estimated 1,330 in the same period. Various causes of traffic fatalities are cited, including distracted driving, speeding, and alcohol use. However, legislators are trying to focus on a single cause of these traffic deaths – texting and driving.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of automobile accidents in the United States. Almost half of all accidents involved a driver who was using their cell phone. Distracted driving can lead to a catastrophic accident, so avoiding distractions is crucial. Georgia’s laws on texting and driving are designed to keep drivers safe. However, this law is not enforced very well. But there are ways to avoid the penalties.
While texting while driving is illegal, Georgian drivers can still use their phones for voice and text communication. Drivers may use hands-free devices to talk to loved ones, but they must refrain from holding or dialing cell phones while driving. Similarly, drivers cannot use any electronic devices to read, write, or record while driving in Georgia. While drivers can use voice-to-text functions to control vehicle navigation, they cannot use headsets to listen to music or read text messages.
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone texting and driving, it’s essential that you contact a Georgia car accident attorney. In addition to helping you receive the maximum compensation you’re entitled to, a distracted driver may be held financially responsible for the damages caused by their negligence. The Law Offices of Gary Bruce can help you file a personal injury claim to collect compensation. There are several factors that need to be taken into account, but this is the most important factor for you.
HB673 attempts to close this loophole. This is because law enforcement officials have difficulty proving that drivers are texting while driving. This new law will make it illegal to hold a cell phone while driving, except for emergencies, so you must put in place an electronic device system beforehand. Lastly, the law prohibits young drivers from watching videos while driving, except when they’re on the GPS. These laws also affect DUI cases in Georgia.
Distracted driving is a growing issue. Georgia’s new laws prohibit texting and driving. A new law, passed in 2010, also banned the use of wireless devices while driving by drivers under the age of eighteen. These laws have already decreased the number of fatal car accidents and injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published a report on the broader issue of distracted driving. However, many legislators struggle to keep up with technological advances, so it’s important to understand the latest Georgia texting and driving laws to avoid being indicted.
Another law that restricts drivers’ cell phone use while driving in Georgia is the Hands-Free Georgia Act. The law prohibits holding a cell phone between the shoulder and ear and bans recording and broadcasting video while driving. However, motorists can still use Bluetooth devices to answer calls or use GPS navigation while on the road. In fact, it’s estimated that nine people are killed each day in Georgia by distracted drivers.
First-time violations of Georgia texting and driving laws carry a fine of $100 and two points on your license. Subsequent offenses result in a $150 fine and three points on your record. Moreover, drivers with 15 points on their licenses can expect their license to be suspended if they receive three or more convictions in two years. It is important to remember that distracted driving laws are not simply a matter of personal preference.
The new law prohibits drivers from holding or programming stand-alone electronic devices while driving. Exceptions include Bluetooth headsets and smartwatches. Drivers can use these devices to talk on their phones, but can’t hold them with any part of their body. Another law prohibits drivers from reading, sending, or watching any form of communication while driving. The laws also prohibit drivers from watching videos on their phone.