Proposed Georgia Law Could Prohibit Cell Phone Use by Teen Drivers

Under a new proposed Georgia bill, all drivers under the age of 18 would be prohibited from using a cell phone or any other type of electronic device while driving. The law actually restores the Hands-Free Georgia Act that expired during the 2018 summer that sought to crack down on distracted drivers in Georgia.

Last year’s law prohibited all drivers, regardless of their age, from handling any type of electronic device when driving. At the time, it was a drastic change for adults who had been previously banned from texting but could still hold their cell phone and talk on it when driving.

In prior years, it was only teenage drivers under the age of 18 who had been prevented from using electronic devices at all, but to make matter more simple, the Hands-Free Georgia Act treated teens like other drivers and made it legal to use their device as long as they were using hands-free technology.

Bringing the Old Law Back

Representative John Carson, who helped with last year’s law, is now asking for the ban on electronic devices to be reinstated for drivers under the age of 18. House Bill 113 would apply to drivers who have instructional permits, which includes those with motorcycle instructional permits.

Teens who failed to abide by the law could be subjected to a fine of $150. The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee was advised by Carson that teen drivers are four times more likely to be in an accident than other drivers and the accidents they are in are three times more likely to be fatal. He also advised that 34 other states already prohibit teen drivers under the age of 18 from using phones and other electronic devices while driving.

Teen Distracted Driving Statistics

The statistics behind teen distracted driving can not be denied. Statistics show that when it comes to distracted driving accidents that lead to fatalities, teens are the largest age group that reported being distracted while driving. Distracted driving accounts for some 25% of all motor vehicle crashes and is a factor in 58% of accidents involving teens.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, nine people in the U.S. die every single day as a result of a distracted driver. Reports say that it only takes three seconds for a driver’s attention to be diverted from the road for a crash to occur. Because distracted driving can not be tested for after accidents happen, experts believe that the actual numbers of car accidents involving distracted driving is vastly under-reported. These accidents are the number one killer of teens ages 16 to 19.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you or your loved one has been injured or died as a result of distracted driving or other type of car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the attorneys at Lankford & Moore Law today to schedule a consultation and let us ensure your rights are protected.

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Lankford & Moore Law in Downtown Lawrenceville

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