“Blue-Tooth” Okay! Hands Free to Drive!
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, May 4, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
On May 2nd Governor Deal traveled to Statesboro to sign H.B. 673, The Hands-Free Georgia Act, which becomes law July 1st. Parents of the five nursing students killed in a 2015 crash on I-16 were among attendees of the ceremony at the Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport at 2 p.m. Wednesday, when Georgia became the 16th state to enact a hands-free driving law. States with similar laws reported a 16 percent decrease in traffic fatalities within two years, and further decreases beyond that.
Georgia’s current ban on texting, emailing and internet browsing while driving remains intact, but has been expanded. The new law makes it illegal for drivers of motor vehicles to hold or physically support a mobile phone or other device such as an iPad, iPod, or Kindle while driving. Also, drivers cannot write, send or read a text-message, an instant message, email or internet data or view videos while operating a motor vehicle.
Drivers of motor vehicles may communicate by phone on a hands-free basis and may touch their phone for dialing, receiving or ending a call as long as the individual is not holding or supporting the phone. Drivers may use a phone for GPS directions and voice-to-text, a speakerphone, Bluetooth, earpiece, headphone, smart watch, or other hands-free devices.H.B. 673, also, increases penalties for violators by doubling the points for a second offense, and implementing a third offense that will cost violators three points. Drivers may continue to request point reduction every five years, if and when they finish a certified defensive driving course, and send their original certificate of completion to the Department of Drivers Services. Commercial drivers who violate their new guidelines will face increasing fines with each offense. H.B. 673 becomes law July 1, 2018.
Also passed this year is H.B. 978 which authorizes automated traffic surveillance devices in school zones and changes on-the-road laws concerning approaching or overtaking school buses. Cameras in the new equipment will photograph or video the license plates and rear of vehicles being towed if they violate school safety zones. Simultaneously, the date, time, location, and speed of each offense will be recorded. Schools must ask the Department of Transportation to issue a permit for installation of this equipment.
S.B. 17, also, passed this year to authorize a public referendum in counties and municipalities where liquor-by-the-drink is sold on Sundays. That referendum would allow voters to decide whether to change the time for Sunday sales from 12:30 Sunday afternoon to 11:00 Sunday morning, which would conflict with Sunday church services. Voters will reveal which they value more: extending Sunday sales of liquor-by-the drink or reserving time for Sunday church services. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.