LAWS

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Governor Nathan Deal signed into law May 3, 2018 - House Bill 673
"Hands-Free Georgia Act" to be effective July 1, 2018

Georgia is the 16th state in the nation to enact a law
banning drivers from holding their cell phones in their hands or on their bodies
​

I challenge all other states to get on board
​by doing their part in helping to save lives across America!

HOUSE BILL 673
​"Hands-Free Georgia Act"
​Will Be Effective July 1, 2018

What is Legal
  • Speaking or Texting while using Hands-free Technology
  • You May Only Touch Your Phone to Dial, Receive or End a Call
  • Using a GPS System or Mapping Application
  • Wearing and Using a Smart Watch
  • Using an Earpiece To Talk on the Phone
  • Using Radios, CB Radios, CB Radio Hybrids, Commercial Two-way Radios, Subscription-based Emergency Communication Devices, Prescribed Medical Devices, Amateur or Ham Radios, and In-Vehicle Security, Navigation, or Remote Diagnostics
What is NOT Legal
  • Holding or Supporting A Cell Phone (Wireless Communications Device)
  • Holding your Phone on Your Neck or Lap
  • Holding a Stand-Alone Electronic Device such as an iPod
  • Writing, Sending, or Reading Text-base Communications - Including a Text Message, Instant Message, Email or Internet Data While Holding Your Device
  • No Holding Phone at a Traffic Light
  • Watching a Video or Movie 
  • Recording a Video
​


​Who Is Exempt From This Law?


​Special Circumstances  
You May Use Your Phone
  • Police
  • Firefighters
  • Emergency Medical Personnel
  • Ambulance Drivers
  • First-Responder's,
  • Utility Employees or Contractors Responding To a Utility Emergency
  • Report a Traffic Accident
  • During a Medical Emergency
  • Fire
  • To Report a Crime
  • To Report a Delinquent Act
  • Hazardous Road Conditions
  • Lawfully Parked (off the road in a parking area)
Lawmakers are giving everyone 2 months to get whatever they need to use their phones hands-free, ear pieces, wireless headsets, smart phone watches, blue tooth speakers installed in their cars to place or receive calls hands free, so there should be no excuse!

Lawmakers in each state continue to debate the safety of cell phone and distracted driving.  All drivers should take precautions and should NOT do anything that would distract you from operating your vehicle safely while driving.

Wireless Telecommunication means writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication on a wireless telecommunications device; meaning a cellular telephone, a text-messaging device, a personal digital assistant, a stand alone computer, or any other substantially similar wireless device that is used to initiate or receive a wireless communication with another person.

In some states, driving while using a cell phone or text messaging, is considered a "Primary Offense", which means that a police officer can pull you over for a traffic stop without having any other reason.  Some states even have special cell phone driving laws for drivers under the age of 18 and some states have banned school bus drivers as well as transit drivers from using cell phones while driving when passengers are present.

However, some states do not ban the use of cell phones while driving but instead consider it as distracted driving.  Some states have enacted laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from implementing cell phone ordinances.

Please visit the Governors Highway Safety Association website, to find out more information about the laws for each state in the US.


GHSA



​More Information
​

Resource Center for Distracted Driving website created by Price Benowitz, LLP​
Price Benowitz - Resource Center - Distracted Driving


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