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EDITORIAL
THURSDAY, JULY 5-11, 2018 • Page 4
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CHAMPION
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Old habits are hard to break—
put the phone down while driving
Many Georgians have become
dependent on cell phones. We use them to
communicate with others via voice or text,
check social media, get directions and a host
of other activities that smart phones make
easy.
As one drives our county’s highways,
roads and streets, it is not unusual to see
drivers with their phones in their hands, but
as of July 1, this practice is now illegal.
In the interest of public safety, and
helping to familiarize our readers with the
new guidelines, we are sharing the below
information obtained from headsupgeorgia.
com
Georgias distracted driving law, House
Bill 673, prohibits drivers from having a
phone in their hands or using any part of
the body to support their phone. Drivers
only can use, make or receive phone calls
by using a speakerphone, earpiece, wireless
headphone, in-vehicle communication
system or an electronic watch. GPS
navigation devices are allowed, however.
• Headsets and earpieces only can be used
legally for communication purposes—
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 the car is 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 vehicles radio.
According to the new regulations, first
time offenders will get one point on their
license and a $50 fine. The second offense is
two points and $100 and the third is three
points and $150. Determination of whether
a driver is illegally using a device will be left
to officers' discretion
Headsupgeorgia.com also states that local
law enforcement officers have the option
to issue warnings for violations “as part of
the effort to educate and to help motorists
adapt” and that there is no 90-day grace
period provision in the law.