Source: https://www.armondlaw.com/blog-georgia-attorney/?category=Distracted+Driving
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 02:00:30+00:00

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Today Governor Nathan Deal signed into law House Bill 673, the Hands-Free Georgia Act, Georgia's new hands-free distracted driving law. This blog post, by serious injury and wrongful death lawyer Richard C. Armond of The Armond Firm, LLC, offers an in-depth explanation of the new law. The Armond Firm, LLC, is based in Lawrenceville, Georgia, near the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center, and handles cases throughout metro Atlanta and the State of Georgia. Please remember this post is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice.
Georgia's new hands-free distracted driving law will be found at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 and goes into effect on July 1, 2018. HB 673 significantly amends O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 which currently criminalizes failing to use due care while operating a motor vehicle, but specifically allows for "proper use of a mobile telephone" except as prohibited in O.C.G.A. §§ 40-6-241.1 and 40-6-241.2. HB 673 completely repeals O.C.G.A. §§ 40-6-241.1 and 40-6-241.2, effective July 1, 2018, and amends or puts in place a new hands-free distracted driving law at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241, also effective July 1, 2018.
HB 673 also amends O.C.G.A. § 40-5-57, which sets the points assessed against driver's licenses for various traffic offenses. Effective July 1, 2018, a first violation of the new hands-free distracted driving law at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 will be a one point violation, a second violation will assess two points, and a third or subsequent violation will assess three points to a person's driver's license. This appears to be for lifetime violations such that the points will increase up to a third lifetime violation of the hands-free distracted driving law regardless of how far in the past other violations occurred.
Additionally, HB 673 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-6-165, relating to the use of "wireless communication devices" while operating school buses. Essentially, school bus drivers cannot use a "wireless communication device" for any reason while loading or unloading passengers, and they cannot use them while a bus is in motion unless the use is similar to a two-way radio for the purpose of communicating with school officials or public safety officials.
To begin understanding Georgia's new hands-free distracted driving law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241), we must understand the definitions of various devices used in the statute.
"'Wireless telecommunications device' means a cellular telephone, a portable telephone, a text-messaging device, a personal digital assistant, a stand-alone computer, a global positioning system receiver, or substantially similar portable wireless device that is used to initiate or receive communication, information, or data. Such term shall not include a radio, citizens band radio, citizens band radio hybrid, commercial two-way radio communication device or its functional equivalent, subscription based emergency communication device, prescribed medical device, amateur or ham radio device, or in-vehicle security, navigation, or remote diagnostics system."
Essentially, any type of cell phone, smart phone, flip phone, etc., is included in the definition. Further, laptop computers, tablet computers/iPads, and GPS systems which are not "in-vehicle" (presumably meaning permanently installed, but this may be a source of litigation regarding vagueness) are also included in the definition. However, some more old fashioned forms of electronic communications such as CB radios and systems which are "in-vehicle" are not included in the definition.
"'Stand-alone electronic device' means a device other than a wireless telecommunications device which stores audio or video data files to be retrieved on demand by a user."
A "stand-alone electronic device" means anything which stores audio or video that can be viewed immediately, such as an iPod or MP3 player, a GoPro, or for those older readers it would include Walkmans, Discmans, camcorders, etc.
These pertinent definitions are important to understand exactly what is prohibited in the new Georgia hands-free distracted driving law.
What is now illegal under Georgia law (effective July 1, 2018)?
Anything which distracts from the safe operation of a vehicle. The new O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(b) requires, "[a] driver shall exercise due care in operating a motor vehicle on the highways of this state and shall not engage in any actions which shall distract such driver from the safe operation of such vehicle." In other words, regardless of whether a cell phone or other device is used at all it is a violation of Georgia law for a driver to take part in any action which distracts her from driving safely. This would include anything such as turning around to discipline children, doing makeup, eating a cheeseburger, etc., IF the action distracts her from driving safely (a case in Georgia was dismissed several years ago when a driving was cited for eating a cheeseburger while driving--the issue was proof that that driver was driving unsafely--these types of actions are not per se unlawful, but only unlawful if a driver is being unsafe because of doing them). However, if a person can do those things while safely driving, they would arguably not be violating the law (which will be a subject of litigation)--this would especially be true if those types of actions are done while at a red light or when the car is technically being operated but stationary.
The mere act of holding within a person's hand a cell phone (or any "wireless telecommunications device" as defined above) or any other device to store audio or video which can be accessed on demand (so long as defined as a "stand-alone electronic device" above). This where the new Georgia hands-free distracted driving law has its teeth and differs from the old law. As of July 1, 2018, a driver cannot even hold his cell phone in his hand at all while his vehicle is in operation, nor support the prohibited devices with any part of his body, such as holding a phone between ear and shoulder. Operation, under already existing law, will include any time a motor vehicle's engine is on and on a roadway, regardless of whether stopped at a red light, stuck in stand-still traffic, or driving down the road. This hands-free provision will be found at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(c)(1). The statute does, however, allow for the use of an earpiece, headphone device, or device worn on a wrist to conduct only voice-based communication. Though not explicitly stated in O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 it does not appear to prohibit receiving or placing calls from systems installed in a vehicle (as they do not appear to fit the definition of "wireless telecommunications device" or "stand-alone electronic device") or the use of a cell phone to place or receive a call so long as the phone is not supported by the body in any way *(see below "What appears to be legal under the new Georgia hands-free distracted driving law which may not have been intended?").
Writing, sending, or reading a text (or any other written communication) on a cell phone (or any device defined above as a "wireless telecommunications device" or "stand-alone electronic device"). This provision will be found at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(c)(2) and makes it illegal while operating a vehicle (which, again, includes being a driver at a red light) to read a text, instant message, email, a website, or any other internet data. However, it specifically allows both sending a text by voice when a person's voice is automatically converted to text and using those devices for navigating by GPS *(see below "What appears to be legal under the new Georgia hands-free distracted driving law which may not have been intended?"). Keep in mind that these devices cannot be held in a driver's hand or supported by her body in anyway while sending text by automatic voice conversion or while using GPS.
Watching a video or movie while operating a vehicle while using a "wireless telecommunications device" or "stand-alone electronic device." This prohibition is found at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(c)(3). This subsection specifically allows, however, watching data related to the navigation of a vehicle.
Recording or broadcasting a video on a "wireless telecommunications device" or "stand-alone electronic device." O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(c)(4). However, this subsection specifically allows electronic devices used solely for continuously recording or broadcasting video, i.e., you can use dash cams to record your trip, and onboard computers which record your every movement (most new cars have this built in) are also lawful.
Using more than a single button on a wireless telecommunications device to initiate or terminate a voice communication.
Reaching for a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device in such a manner that requires the driver to no longer be: (A) In a seated driving position; or (B) properly restrained by a safety belt.
What appears to be legal under the new Georgia hands-free distracted driving law which may not have been intended?
Placing and receiving calls when not holding or supporting a defined device with a person's body in any way. The new O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 appears to intend to allow for use of on-board phone systems installed in vehicles. However, it also appears that at least as to non-commercial drivers, if a cell phone is on the seat next to a driver, he may place and answer calls so long as he does not support the phone in any way, AND so long as he does not violate the "catch-all provision" of anything which distracts from the safe operation of a vehicle found at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(b). This will potentially be a source of litigation in criminal/traffic cases, but it appears that if a driver is, for example, at a red light and stopped he would be able to place or answer a phone call from his cell phone so long as he does not hold or support the phone with his body by using the phone while it is laying next to him.
Use of GPS on cell phones and other like devices. The Georgia General Assembly specifically included in the definition of "wireless telecommunications device" cell phones and GPS receivers (presumed example: Garmins and Tom-Toms) which are not "in-vehicle" and made them subject to the hands-free requirement. The General Assembly specifically excluded in-vehicle navigation from the definition, which presumably means the GPS systems permanently installed in vehicles, attempting to make some distinction between portable and "in-vehicle" GPS. While the intent of the new O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 is to save lives and prevent dangerous traffic collisions, subsection (c)(2) specifically allows a driver to enter as much text as the driver wants so long as it for GPS navigation (so long as the driver is not holding or supporting the defined device), with no distinction as to the device being portable or in-vehicle under the allowed acts (so why the distinction?).
This appears to be the biggest weakness of the new law. Anyone who has used a GPS knows it can take quite a while to enter this information and can be just as much of a danger to others as texting and driving. OF VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: it is definitely clearly still illegal to support in one's hand or body a cell phone or any other portable GPS receiver while operating a vehicle, but subsection (c)(2) would allow for using a cell phone or portable GPS while operating a vehicle so long as, for example, the device is laying on the seat or mounted to the dashboard. ALSO OF IMPORTANT NOTE: Even when using a cell phone or portable GPS and not holding or supporting the device, it will still be illegal to violate the catch-all of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(b) to do "anything which distracts from the safe operation of a vehicle."
In criminal/traffic prosecutions, the State will likely not have to prove that a driver was not otherwise lawfully using his GPS on his cell phone--this appears to be akin to an affirmative defense which a person charged could assert, and, if asserted, the State would then have to disprove it. See May v. State, 179 Ga. App. 736 (1986). However, in most traffic citation cases the police are not going to have access to see what was actually happening on a cell phone at the time they observed a potential violation unless a driver gives consent or the police obtain a search warrant to look into the phone. The State may not have evidence to disprove such an affirmative defense if one is truthfully asserted. This may slightly take away some of the teeth of the new statute in prosecutions, but definitely weakens the prevention aspect as drivers can enter info into a GPS so long as not violating the hands-free/support subsection or the catch-all due care/distraction provision.
What additional actions are specifically legal under the new O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241?
(4) While in a motor vehicle which is lawfully parked (again, being stopped at a red light is included in the operation of a vehicle and is not considered being parked)."
However, the major exception is that these acts are not exempt from the catch-all provision of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(b) which basically prohibits anything which distracts from the safe operation of a motor vehicle. In other words, it is still against Georgia law to, for example, call 911 while driving to report a crime in progress if it distracts from the safe operation of the car.
In addition to the points on a driver's license explained above, violating any part of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 is a misdemeanor.
However, the law allows for first time a person is charged with violating O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 for the person to be found not guilty if she produces in court a device or proof of purchase of a device which allows for compliance with the statute in the future (example: earpiece for hands-free calling). It is extremely important to note that anyone taking advantage if this provision must affirm she has not previously used the provision. Along with that, one should know that making a false statement in an official governmental matter or perjuring oneself are both felony crimes which a person might face if caught making this affirmation more than once.
The new O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 appears to be a significant improvement in terms of making Georgia's roads safer by making our state a "hands-free" state to combat distracted driving. According to the CDC, approximately nine people are killed and over 1,000 are injured each day in the United States because of car crashes involving a distracted driver. In 2015 alone 3,477 lives were lost and 391,000 people were injured in United States automobile crashes involving a distracted driver. Let's hope this new law will make our roads safer and protect the lives of everyone on Georgia's roadways.
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or a loved one was lost in a traffic collision, please contact Gwinnett County based personal injury and wrongful death lawyer Richard Armond at (678) 661-9585 for a free consultation or fill in your contact info here.
Trial lawyer Richard Armond of The Armond Firm, LLC, is licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia. Based in Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, he handles serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout metro Atlanta and the State of Georgia. Call him for a free consultation at (678) 661-9585.
For those who follow Georgia politics, an important piece of legislation designed to reduce car accidents, save lives, and make our roads safer, is HB 673. This bill is intended to make an enforceable law which cuts down distracted driving by making non hands free cell phone use illegal. Unfortunately, as reported by the AJC (on the myAJC subscription site with limited free monthly access), the bill may have hit a snag in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Governor Nathan Deal did, however, endorse the bill in an interview on Georgia Public Broadcasting, noting the virtual impossibility of enforcing current distracted driving laws and safety.
This piece of legislation will hopefully pass by next Thursday's deadline. I have written before on the dangers of distracted driving with the CDC statistics regarding traffic accidents and fatalities caused by distracted drivers. Please do not use cell phones while driving and keep our roads safe for everyone.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident and would like to speak with a lawyer contact attorney Richard Armond at (678) 661-9585 for a free consultation.
The information above is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice, nor does the reading of it form an attorney-client relationship. Always consult directly with a lawyer for legal advice.
This blog post by Gwinnett County based personal injury and wrongful death trial lawyer Richard Armond of the The Armond Firm, LLC, focuses on the hands-free driving bill before a committee at the Georgia General Assembly. The bill, if passed into law, would finally make Georgia a hands-free driving state. Hopefully, this bill will become law and will save lives. Too many Georgia drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are injured and killed in distracted driving wrecks each year.
According to WSB-TV, state representative John Carson of Marietta is advocating for this bill. In the WSB-TV story they have a video of the testimony of a victim's mother who died because of a distracted driver. It is emotional to say the least. The mother also points out that deaths from distracted drivers should not happen. Thirty years ago no one would have thought to text and drive or do any of the other dangerous acts that people do on smartphones when they should be focusing on driving safely.
Please let your local state representative know that you want this bill passed and want effective laws to prevent distracted driving deaths.
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury or loss in a car accident, please contact Gwinnett County based injury lawyer Richard Armond at (678) 661-9585 for a free consultation.
Doug Turnbull of WSB News 95.5 FM and AM 750, a/k/a the "Gridlock Guy," is wrote a recent article in the AJC predicting that the Georgia General Assembly will pass a state law this year protecting Georgia drivers from accidents with distracted drivers. He notes that a proposed hands-free bill is in the General Assembly. A similar bill did not pass last year, but since then a committee was formed to study the issue of distracted driving in Georgian and hands-free use of cell phones. Turnbull points out that the proposed bill does not address distractions from built-in GPS type monitors in vehicles in which drivers can text and place/receive calls.
Interestingly, Turnbull points out, as someone who knows Atlanta traffic better than most, that the general public seems to want a law protecting Georgia motorists and pedestrians from accidents with distracted drivers.
I have written before about the staggering statistics regarding traffic accidents involving distracted drivers. Georgia drivers and pedestrians should all want a common sense law that requires drivers to put down their electronic devices and focus on the road and traffic conditions around them. Until such a law is passed, as Turnbull points out, we must be part of the solution rather than the problem regardless of the law.
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury or loss in a traffic accident or pedestrian accident in metro Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia, please contact Gwinnett County based injury lawyer Richard Armond at (678) 661-9585 for a free consultation.
On January 2, 2018, the City of Smyrna became the first city in Georgia to pass a full ban on the use of cellphones while driving. According to WSB, the ordinance will go into effect on April 2, 2018, and carries a maximum fine of $150. WSB reports that Smyrna plans to collect data for two years to see if the ordinance reduces distracted driving crashes.
I have written before (click here) about the dangers of distracted driving and the current statutes in effect to combat this problem on Georgia roads. The ordinance by Smyrna, which apparently bans even holding a cellphone while driving, is an interesting step to try making their roads safer. The current statewide Georgia laws against texting while driving are difficult to enforce and even specifically allow normal phone use such as dialing a number while driving (See O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241: "the proper use of a . . . mobile telephone . . . shall not be a violation of this Code section").
Serious injuries and wrongful deaths due to cell phone use are reaching epidemic proportions on Georgia's roads. Hopefully, the Smyrna ordinance will make their roads safer and will be an example for the Georgia General Assembly to take action with a cell phone law that better protects Georgia citizens.
The Armond Firm wishes all readers a Happy Thanksgiving. Please be safe over the holiday. Lots of extra vehicles will be on Georgia's roadways so take extra precautions while driving.
The Macon Telegraph reports that last year there were 20 fatalities on Georgia roadways over the five day Thanksgiving holiday. Please be alert for distracted drivers and persons driving under the influence and stay safe. Let this be a Thanksgiving that is much safer than last year for Georgia motorists.
If you or a loved one would like to speak with a Georgia personal injury lawyer please contact Richard Armond at (678) 661-9585 for a free consultation today.
Click here for a link to the Macon Telegraph story.
According to the CDC, approximately nine people are killed and over 1,000 are injured each day in the United States because of car crashes involving a distracted driver. In 2015 alone 3,477 lives were lost and 391,000 people were injured in United States automobile crashes involving a distracted driver.
Georgia has not yet banned the use of hand-held phone use, but 14 states and the District of Columbia have. Georgia does have a law prohibiting texting while driving, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241.2, which includes a ban on sending or reading any type of text message, instant message, e-mail, or internet data.
In addition to that specific statute on sending and receiving texts or internet data, Georgia has a catch-all distracted driving statute, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241, which requires drivers to use "due care" while operating a motor vehicle. That statute prohibits drivers from engaging in any actions which shall distract a driver from the safe operation of her vehicle, with an exception for proper use of radio, citizens band radio, mobile telephone (for calling only, not for texting, reading internet data, etc.), or amateur or ham radio. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241 applies to activities that distract drivers such as eating, putting on makeup, rubber-necking, turning around to discipline children, or any number of activities that can distract people from driving safely.
All Georgia drivers should try to remember that when motor vehicles are used unsafely they become two-ton deadly weapons. If you or a loved one have been killed or injured in an automobile wreck and would like to speak with a Georgia personal injury lawyer please contact Richard Armond at (678) 661-9585 for a free consultation today.
Click here for a link to the CDC statistics on distracted drivers.

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