The new Hands-Free Georgia act banning drivers from holding cellphones, taking videos or photographs as of July 1, 2018, does not prohibit internet radio like Pandora and Spotify, per Governor's. What the new hands-free law says about using Pandora, Spotify Georgia Headlines June 8, 2018 Macon Telegraph 0 A tip sheet circulating about new driving regulations in Georgia has opened up a. Georgia House Bill 673, which is better known as the Hands-Free Georgia Act, was passed by the Georgia General Assembly earlier this year and signed into law in May by Gov. Georgia’s hands-free law in effect July 1st 2018 In our home state of Georgia, the way we use our mobile phones in our cars is about to change. On July 1st, 2018, Georgia residents will join those of 15 other. What Exactly is the Hands-Free Georgia Act? House Bill 673, or the 'Hands-Free Georgia Act,' is a new law drafted in response to the rising number of vehicle accidents caused by distracted drivers to encourage safe driving throughout the state. It was signed by Governor Nathan Deal on May first and will take effect on July 1st. Imperfect as it is, Carson believes the hands-free law will make Georgia roads safer. Fifteen other states and the District of Columbia have adopted similar hands-free laws. Thirteen of them saw. Although Georgia has had laws on the books against texting and using mobile devices while driving for about eight years, they will soon be much easier to enforce once the Hands-Free Georgia Act.

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According to Bloomberg, motorists still drive distracted despite laws prohibiting it. In most cases, law enforcement isn’t available to stop drivers from glancing away from the road.

In the Bloomberg article, a retired Atlanta executive recalls an incident involving distracted driving that still leaves him haunted to this day. The man says that he “broke his personal no-phones-at-the-wheel policy,” and unknowingly passed a stopped school bus and nearly struck two grade-school students trying to cross the street.

“I slammed on the brakes, looked back in the rear-view mirror,” he told Bloomberg.

Even for drivers who aren’t typically distracted behind the wheel, it only takes one time to result in a devastating crash. While we never truly know how many distracted drivers are within our proximity, a new tech startup has found just how many drivers are distracted by cellphones.

A tech startup determines just how many drivers are distracted

In exchange for insurance incentives and other rewards, TrueMotion Inc., a smartphone driving platform, asked roughly 30,000 motorists to have their phone usage tracked while driving.

According to the data collected by TrueMotion Inc., here are the most accurate figures of how many distracted drivers are on the road for every 100 drivers:

• 30 drivers were found to be distracted less than 5% of the time
• 20 drivers were found to be distracted 5-10% of the time
• 15 drivers were found to be distracted 10-15% of the time
• 10 drivers were found to be distracted 15-20% of the time
• 7 drivers were found to be distracted 20-25% of the time
• 5 drivers were found to be distracted 25-30% of the time
• 3 drivers were found to be distracted 30-35% of the time
• 2 drivers were found to be distracted 35-40% of the time
• 1 driver was found to be distracted 40-45% of the time
• 1 driver was found to be distracted 45-50% of the time

TrueMotion also tracked the habits of drivers in New York and Los Angeles and found that drivers tend to be more distracted during the summer than any other time of year. During holidays, drivers text and drive 30 percent more often than they do most other days of the year. On weekends, texting and driving tend to go up about 9.1 percent.

What distracted driving data was tracked?

The data tracked includes:

• Texting and app usage (not including calls) – 5% in New York, 5% in Los Angeles
• Hands-free app usage (not including calls) – 8% in New York, 13% in Los Angeles
• Phone calls made while holding a cellphone – 1% in New York, 1% in Los Angeles
• Phone calls made on hands-free devices – 8% in New York, 6% in Los Angeles
• No distraction at all – 76% in New York, 74% in Los Angeles

TrueMotion was founded in 2013. The company uses several sensors built into smartphones to track how phones are moved or handled by drivers. The sensors allow them to determine whether a driver is texting, making a phone call, quickly checking a notification, or using a cellphone that is mounted.

The impact of hands-free laws

The hands-free law asserts that drivers are prohibited from touching their cellphones while driving. They can make calls and talk on their cellphones, but those tasks can only be done through hands-free devices.

In addition, drivers are prohibited from:

• Typing, reading, and sending text-based communication
• Using social media and browsing the internet
• Watching/taking videos and pictures
• Streaming music with videos displayed on the screen

Penalties for violating the hands-free law include:

• 1st offense: $50 fine and 1 point assessed against driver's license
• 2nd offense: $100 and 2 points assessed against driver's license
• 3rd or subsequent offense: $150 and 3 points assessed against driver's license

Get a Georgia car accident lawyer

In Georgia, a study involving between 20,000-25,000 drivers using TrueMotion found that the rate of distracted driving fell by 20 percent since the passage of the hands-free law in 2018.

Nationally, cellphone use among drivers during daylight hours has declined from 5.2 percent in 2012 to 3.2 percent in 2018, according to the National Safety Council.

Not all crashes caused by distracted driving involve cellphones, however. Drivers can be distracted just by talking to passengers, eating, drinking, multitasking, or engaging in any other activity that takes their attention away from the road. Since many incidents involving distracted driving don't leave behind any physical evidence, the number of distracted drivers on the road at any given time could be much greater.

Should you or a loved one be injured in a crash with an inattentive driver, the Atlanta car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C. can help you explore your legal options. Don't hesitate to contact us online or call us at 1-800-898-HAYS.

House Bill 673- “Hands Free Law”

House Bill 673 also known as the “Hands Free Law” was passed by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal. The Hands Free Law will take effect on July 1, 2018. The following is a brief description what the law states and some frequently asked questions. A link to the complete law can be found at www.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.
• The hands-free law does NOT apply to the following electronic communication devices and the following devices can be used by the driver when on the road: 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.

Exceptions to the law are as follows:

1. Reporting a traffic crash, medical emergency, fire, criminal activity or hazardous road conditions.
2. An employee or contractor of an utility service provider acting within the scope of their employment while responding to a utility
emergency.
3. A first responder (law enforcement, fire, EMS) during the performance of their official duties.
4. 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

1. Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators can only use one button to begin or end a phone call
2. 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

1. The driver of a school bus cannot use a wireless telecommunication device or two-way radio while loading or unloading passengers.
2. 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

ENFORCEMENT

When the Hands-Free law takes effect July 1, the Georgia Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement have the option to issue warnings for violations as part of the effort to educate and to help motorists adapt to the new law. However, citations can and will be issued starting July 1 for any violation of the Hands-Free Law, including those where the violation involves a traffic crash. There is not a 90-day grace period provision in the Hands-Free Law.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is this law needed in Georgia?
Our state has seen significant increases in vehicle traffic crashes, fatalities and bodily injury. The vast majority of these increases have been in rear-end crashes, single-car crashes and crashes by drivers from 15 to 25-years-old. State and local law enforcement have stated that these incidents are a clear indication of driver inattention. The 15 states that have passed hands-free driving laws saw a 16 percent decrease in traffic fatalities in the two years after the law was passed. In addition, traffic fatalities were reduced even further in subsequent years.

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Could I still talk on my phone while driving?
Yes, as long as it is done hands-free. Drivers would be able to use their phone’s speakerphone, Bluetooth technology, an earpiece, a headphone or other device to allow them to communicate on a hands-free basis.

Could I touch my cellphone to dial a number or receive or end a call?
Yes. The law would simply prohibit drivers from holding or supporting the phone.
Would I be required to purchase a hands-free accessory, such as a mount or bracket?
No. The proposed law simply states that a driver cannot hold or support a mobile phone. A phone can be left on a vehicle’s console, a front seat, etc. However, for the safety of all Georgians, state and local law enforcement recommend the purchase and use of a hands-free device if using a mobile phone while driving.
My vehicle does not have Bluetooth technology/capability. How could I comply with the law?
Many online retailers offer a Bluetooth adapter for vehicles without Bluetooth or similar technology built into the vehicle. These adapters can be found at local retailers or online by searching “Bluetooth hands-free car kit” in an internet search engine.

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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.

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Could I listen to online radio apps while driving? (Updated information)****
A driver cannot touch their phone to activate or program a radio app while they are on the road (the road includes being stopped for traffic signals and stop signs). A driver can activate a radio app before getting on the road and listen to the programming. A driver can also listen to programming from their app if it is connected and controlled by the vehicle's stereo (radio), and the driver is not touching their phone while driving. We caution drivers that music streaming apps that also include video do violate the new law which specifically prohibits drivers from watching videos. The rule of thumb here is you can listen to your radio app as long as you do not touch your phone when driving on the road AND its use does not distract the driver in any manner in the safe operation of their vehicle.

Could I listen to music stored on my mobile phone, thus not requiring an internet connection?
Yes, as long as the driver is not holding or supporting the phone.
Could I talk to someone via video telephony apps, such as FaceTime or Skype, if doing so “hands-free?”
No. The proposed hands-free driving law states that a driver shall not “record or broadcast a video” on any mobile phones, iPads, computers, etc. while operating a vehicle.

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Submit specific questions about the Hands-Free Law to: https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/contact/