Many states directly prohibit certain types of distracted driving among drivers in the state. One particularly common type of such restriction is a prohibition on texting while driving. Most states have a full ban on this type of distracted conduct in place. Georgia is among these states.
One restriction that is less common is an all-out restriction on handheld phone use behind the wheel. Currently, less than a third of states have this type of ban in place. Georgia currently does not have a blanket ban on driver handheld phone use. However, a bill is being proposed that would change this.
The bill would make it so drivers in the state would not be allowed to use their cellphone while driving unless they were using a hands-free system. Exceptions would be made for certain emergency calls. There would be a $150 fine for violating this handheld phone use ban.
One wonders how this bill will end up faring in the state’s legislative process.
Do you think Georgia should move from banning texting while driving to banning all handheld cellphone use for drivers? If such a shift did occur, what impact do you think it would have on the occurrence of distracted driving crashes in the state?
Distracted driving accidents, whether or not they involved an activity directly prohibited by state law, can cause considerable harm to their victims. Skilled lawyers can give victims of such crashes here in Georgia assessments of their legal options when it comes to the issue of compensation.
Sources: WTVM, “Georgia lawmaker's proposal could ban handheld devices while driving,” Nov. 24, 2016
Governors Highway Safety Association, “Distracted Driving Laws,” November 2016
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