Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety Archives

What follows is a final rundown of what you can and can’t do with a mobile device in your vehicle, as the Georgia hands free law goes into effect Sunday, July 1.

We noted earlier that there wasn’t going to be a grace period for enforcement of HB 673, but Cobb Police are saying they’ll be issuing warnings for the first 30 days (unless you cause an accident), with official citations starting on Aug. 1.

Police still want you to start following the law on Sunday, and this is explained in further detail near the bottom. Here’s a link to a PSA video from Cobb and Marietta police. The full law can be found at gahighwaysafety.org:

A driver cannot have a phone in their hand or use any part of their body to support their phone. Drivers can only use their phones to make or receive phone calls by using speakerphone, earpiece, wireless headphone, phone is connected to vehicle or an electronic watch. GPS navigation devices are allowed;

Headsets and earpieces can only be worn for communication purposes and not for listening to music or other entertainment;

A driver may not send or read any text-based communication unless using voice-based communication that automatically converts message to a written text or is being used for navigation or GPS;

A driver may not write, send or read any text messages, e-mails, social media or internet data content;

A driver may not watch a video unless it is for navigation;

A driver may not record a video (continuously running dash cams are exempt);

Music streaming apps can be used provided the driver activates and programs them when they are parked. Drivers cannot touch their phones to do anything to their music apps when they are on the road. Music streaming apps that include video also are not allowed since drivers cannot watch videos when on the road. Drivers can listen to and program music streaming apps that are connected to and controlled through their vehicle’s radio.

Exceptions to the law are as follows:

Reporting a traffic crash, medical emergency, fire, criminal activity or hazardous road conditions;

An employee or contractor of a utility service provider acting within the scope of their employment while responding to a utility emergency;

A first responder (law enforcement, fire, EMS) during the performance of their official duties;

When in a lawfully parked vehicle—this DOES NOT include vehicles stopped for traffic signals and stop signs on the public roadway.

Commercial motor vehicle operators

Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators can only use one button to begin or end a phone call;

Cannot reach for a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device that it no longer requires the driver to be a seated position or properly restrained by a safety belt.

School bus drivers

The driver of a school bus cannot use a wireless telecommunication device or two-way radio while loading or unloading passengers;

The driver can only use a wireless telecommunication device while the bus is in motion as a two-way radio to allow live communications between the driver and school and public safety officials.

Cobb police enforcement
Again, the law goes into effect July 1st, but in an effort to educate the public, the Cobb County Police Department will be providing verbal or written warning citations for the first 30 days. However, if the violation involves a traffic crash, a citation may be issued.

Effective August 1st, 2018, officers may begin writing real citations. Each jurisdiction may have their own policy for when they begin enforcement, so I would suggest that you begin adhering to the law on July 1st.

What would the fines/penalties be?

First conviction: $50, one point on a license;

Second conviction: $100, two points on a license;

Third and subsequent convictions: $150, three points on a license.

On Friday Cobb Police issued this PSA reminder that’s about a minute long:

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Via Heads Up Georgia, details about what you will and will not be able to do with an electronic device in your car, starting July 1. The law was sponsored by Northeast Cobb Republican John Carson, who recently clarified that there won’t be a grace period to begin enforcement. Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Georgia hands free driving law

From the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (which has a countdown to the enactment of the new law), here are the penalties for violations and where you can read the entire law.

More below from Cobb Police:

Distracted driving was found to be the leading cause of accidents. Recently House Bill 673 (Hands Free/Distracted Driver Law) was passed and will take effect July 1st to help with this issue.

The new law states that you cannot support any wireless device with any part of your body. This means that you:

CANNOT hold it in your hand

CANNOT lay it in your lap

CANNOT hold it against your ear with your shoulder

Additionally, the law addresses further uses of the phone while driving:

You CANNOT watch or record a video

You CANNOT type, send, or read any text based communication

You MAY use your phone if legally parked. This does not include stopped at a light or stop sign, only legally parked in areas such as parking lots or driveways.

You MAY use your phone as GPS but you MUST set it up before you begin driving and are legally parked. If you need to change your route, you must be legally parked.

Important things to remember:

Citizens may handle an electronic device while driving if they are: Reporting a traffic accident, medical emergency, fire, crime, delinquent act, or hazardous road condition.

Law enforcement officers are exempt from the law as long as they are performing their official duties.

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!