Hands Off; Bluetooth On
Georgia’s House Bill 673 also referred to as the Hands-Free Georgia Act goes into effect this Sunday July 1, 2018.
The newly signed law prohibits drivers from having a phone or stand-alone electronic device in their hand or touching any part of their body while operating a motor vehicle on the road. As long as drivers do not have a phone in their hand or supported by any part of their body, they can make and receive phone calls through the speakerphone feature, earpiece, and wireless headset or if their phone is connected to an electronic watch or their vehicle’s stereo.
The use of GPS and navigational devices are also allowed but drivers cannot have a phone in their hand or supported by any part of their body.
While it is not required to purchase a device or holder for your phone, it is recommended drivers who want to talk on their phone to place it where they can easily access it so that it doesn’t interfere with their ability to operate their vehicle.
Another option for drivers is to check their settings feature on their phone to learn if it has a “Do Not Disturb” feature. When activated, this feature detects when a phone is moving and notifies the sender of a message or a phone call that the person they are trying to reach is driving and will contact them once the driver has reached their destination.
While the new law will allow drivers to use hands-free technology drivers cannot at any time use their phones to write, read and send text messages, e-mails, social media and internet data. The use of voice-to-text technology is allowed.
The law also prohibits drivers from watching videos as well as recording videos, though GPS navigational videos and continuously running dash cams are permitted.
Drivers also need to be aware that the law does not contain a 90-day grace period for enforcement. Many officers will be issuing warnings for violations in the first months of the law as part of the education effort, but citations can and will be issued starting July 1 where officers believe they are warranted, especially those violations that involve traffic crashes.
“It’s become a habit we don’t think twice about since we have been talking on our phones while driving for more than three decades and it is going to take time for all of us to stop automatically reaching for the phone when it rings,” Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Communication Director Robert Hydrick said. “If you want to talk on your phone or use GPS while driving, now is the time to implement those measures so hands-free will become the instinctive thing to do.”
It is simple— don’t attempt driving with a phone, tablet or any other electronic device in your hand or on your person. Drivers may want to invest in any hands-free technology that may apply to their devices but check first to see if your vehicle may sync to your phone. And if you must talk on your phone while driving hands-free try to keep the conversations to the minimum as safety should always be your first objective while driving.
It is also important to note that a driver using a device may be given leeway if using it to report a traffic accident, medical emergency, crime in process or report any hazardous road condition. Devices may be used if you are lawfully parked, meaning off or beside the road in an area open to parking.
It is worthy to note that those performing official duties are exempt from hands-free requirements. Personnel such as police, firefighters, emergency personnel, utility employees, etc.
While old habits may be hard to break, be assured that law enforcement will be on the lookout for any violators and will not hesitate to stop, inform and ticket such offenders.
More information can be found at the Hands-Free Georgia Act weebsite at www.headsupgeorgia.com.
