Georgia Hands-Free Law prohibits cellphone use while driving

ALBANY — The days of texting and calling while driving in Georgia are done. On Sunday, Georgia became the 16th state to enact a “Hands-Free” law, which means that Georgians will have to put their phones away or at least alter the way they use them.

Drivers can no longer handle phones or prop phones on any part of their bodies while driving. Calls can only be made to report a traffic crashes, fires, medical emergencies, hazardous road conditions or a crime. Otherwise, the caller must be lawfully parked. This does not include stop signs and traffic lights.

“This law is designed to simplify some of the issues with distracted driver laws of the past,” Corp. Dillard Glover of the Albany Police Department said. “The whole thing is, with the new law, you will not be able to have the phone in your hand at any time to talk on it, to text or anything like that. It is strictly a hands-free implementation.”

The new law says:

— Drivers can only use communication devices through a speakerphone, earpiece, wireless headphone, the car’s phone connection or smartphone watches;

— Phones cannot be held or propped on the body;

— Headsets and earpieces are not to be used for music or other entertainment;

— Texts can only be read and sent through voice-based communication;

— Drivers cannot write, send or read text messages, emails, social media, etc. or use internet data;

— GPS devices and GPS navigation on cell phones are allowed for navigation purposes;

— Drivers cannot watch videos or movies or record or broadcast video with the exception of devices used for the sole purpose of continuously recording or broadcasting video within or outside of the motor vehicle;

— Commercial drivers can only use a single button to answer or end calls;

— Commercial drivers cannot reach for a phone or GPS device in a way that causes the driver to unbuckle or become unseated;

— School bus drivers cannot use phones or two-way radios while loading or unloading passengers;

— School bus drivers cannot use phones while the bus is in motion unless it is used like a two-way radio for live communication between the driver and school officials or public safety officials;

Breaking the Hands Free law results in a fine and a mark on the driver’s license. The first offense is a fine of $50 with one point on a license, followed by subsequent penalties of $100 and two points on a license and $150 with three points on a license. In Georgia, 15 points on a license in a 24-month period will result in a suspension.

Exceptions to the law include:

— Emergency calls as stated above;

— Communications between utility services personnel during utility emergencies;

— Law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS, or other public safety officers while performing official duties;

— Lawfully parked vehicles.

Bluetooth adapters can be purchased for cars that do not already have the technology built in. Online radio and music stored on phones is not prohibited as long as drivers do not handle the phones while driving. Radio applications such as Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music and Google Play must be configured and programmed while lawfully parked. Radio applications that play video along with music are not allowed. FaceTime, Skype, Snapchat or other video communication apps are also not allowed.

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