Proposed Stricter Laws for Cell Phone Use while Driving in Georgia

By Grant Law Office on April 28, 2011

Currently, Georgia law bans all cell phone use while driving, including texting, for school bus drivers and teenagers that are less than 18 years of age. Drivers that are over 18 are banned from texting while driving, but are not banned from using a handheld cell phone or other device to talk while driving. The increase in Georgia traffic accident injuries and fatalities involving distracted driving has prompted the proposal of new legislation.

If the proposed legislation becomes Georgia law, all handheld cell phones will be banned, allowing only hands-free use of cell phones for motorists 18 years or older. School bus drivers and teenagers, or novice drivers, less than 18 years old will still abide by the all cell phone use ban initiated in 2010.

The proposed legislation is an effort to make Georgia’s roads and highways safer. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System, an estimated 440,000 people were injured and more than 5,400 killed nationwide in 2009 in crashes involving cell phone use. The introduction and quick popularity of cell phones has increased distracted driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Driving while distracted can be considered negligent or reckless, and a distracted driver who causes a Georgia car crash injury could be held liable for the financial losses of injured victims.

The knowledgeable Atlanta car crash lawyers of The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., help injured victims of Georgia car accidents and their families recover fair and maximum compensation for the losses they’ve suffered as a result of their injuries. Call us today at 404-995-3955 to determine the best course of action for your case.