What Are Georgia’s Distracted Driving Laws?
Let’s face it, we are all guilty of distracted driving. Whether it is eating your lunch on the go, putting on some last-minute makeup on the way to work, or trying to quickly check a text message, anything that takes your attention away from the road is a distraction. We must all acknowledge that we do these things and make a concerted effort to stop. Driving is serious and driving while distracted poses a danger to ourselves and everyone else on the road. Of course, use of smartphones and other electronic devices has proven to be one of the most prominent distracted driving dangers to develop in recent years. That is why Georgia, like other states, has enacted distracted driving laws to try and get people to put down their phones while on the road.
Understanding the Distracted Driving Laws in Georgia
Distracted driving in any form is dangerous. There are visual distractions which are ones that cause you to take your eyes off of the road. There are manual distractions which are those that cause you to take one or both hands off of the wheel. There are cognitive distractions which are those that take your attention away from the road. Unfortunately, smartphones and other devices can prove to be a visual, manual, and cognitive distraction. This is why Georgia has taken strides to try and curb electronic device use while driving.
In Georgia, it is illegal to text and drive. In 2018, the state took it further with the “Hands-Free Georgia Act.” The Act made it even more difficult to use a cell phone on the road. It requires the use of hands-free calling or blue tooth if you are going to talk on the phone. The Act specifically states that a driver is not to hold a phone or other wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle. Furthermore, no device should be used to write or read any text-based communication, with some exceptions.
A violation of Georgia’s distracted driving laws will result in one point assessed to your driver’s license for your first offense. It will result in 2 points for your second offense and three points for your third offense and any subsequent violations. In addition to the points, you will face a fine for violating the distracted driving law. All of these penalties will pale in comparison to the damage you could be facing if your distracted driving leads to a motor vehicle crash. Not only could you be seriously injured, but you could seriously injure someone else on the road. If you were driving while distracted, this will be substantial proof that you were at fault in causing the accident.
Contact Randall F. Rogers, PC Today
If you have been injured by a distracted driver, contact Attorney Randall F. Rogers. Attorney Rogers will fight to ensure you are fairly compensated for the losses you have sustained due to the negligence of another. Contact us today.
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