Hands-Free Law: What You Can, Cannot Do While Driving (ICYMI)

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia motorists have two more weeks to make sure they will be in compliance with the state's Hands Free Georgia Act when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. The legislation, which goes into effect on July 1, prohibits you from having a phone or electronic device in your hands or touching any part of your body while operating a vehicle on the road.

You will be able to make and receive calls through a speakerphone, earpiece or wireless headset as long as you do not have your phone in your hands or resting on your body. Motorists can also make calls if their phones are connected to an electronic device or their vehicle's stereo. GPS and other navigational devices are allowed, but you cannot have a phone in your hands or propped up by any body parts.

“It’s become a habit we don’t think twice about since we have been talking on our phones while driving for more than three decades and it is going to take time for all of us to stop automatically reaching for the phone when it rings,” Governor's Office of Highway Safety Communication Director Robert Hydrick said. “If you want to talk on your phone or use GPS while driving, now is the time to implement those measures so hands-free will become the instinctive thing to do.”

While it is not required to purchase a device or holder for your phone, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety encourages drivers who want to talk on their phone to place it where they can easily access it so that it doesn’t interfere with their ability to operate their vehicle and will still reasonably keep their attention on the road.

“According to recent data, we believe the public awareness of this new law is already saving lives,” said State Rep. John Carson of Marietta, who sponsored the bill creating the new law. “We encourage all Georgians to implement the best practices stated in the Hands-Free Georgia Act prior to July 1, 2018, for the safety of all commuters on Georgia’s roadways.”

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here)

You can also check to see if your phone has a Do Not Disturb feature which, when activated, detects when a phone is moving. If a phone is in motion, the feature informs the sender of a message or phone call that the person they are trying to reach is driving and will call or message back when the driver reaches his or her's destination.

While the new law will allow drivers to use hands-free technology to make and receive phone calls and use GPS devices, drivers cannot at any time use their phones to write, read and send text messages, emails, social media and internet data. The use of voice-to-text technology is allowed, however.

Drivers will also be prohibited from watching and/or recording videos (though GPS and navigational videos and continuously running dash cameras are allowed). You will be able to listen to music through streaming apps on your phone, but you can not activate that app or change music using your device while driving. Music streaming apps programmed and controlled through a vehicle’s radio system are allowed. However, you should note that watching videos through music apps are prohibited.

“We have received a lot of inquiries about the use of music streaming apps and we want everyone to know you can listen to your music through your phone, provided you turn on that app before you get on the road,” Hydrick said. “Whether it is listening to music, making a phone call or finding the best route on your GPS, we want to everyone to remember keeping your focus on what is happening on the road is your top priority every time you are behind the wheel.”

If you think you'll have time to adjust to these new rules, think again. GOHS, Georgia Department of Public Safety and local police officers are informing motorists there is no 90-day grace period for enforcement. While many officers will issue warnings for violations in the first months of the law as part of the education effort, citations can be issued starting July 1 where officers believe they are warranted, especially for violations that involve traffic crashes.

You can find out more information about the Hands-Free Georgia Act by visiting the website dedicated to educating residents about the law.

Image via Shutterstock