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.
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.
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