No Texting and Driving in GA!!
Posted on 16 June 2010
Just wanted to pass along the information! I am sure everyone needs to know, whoever decides to travel in the state of Georgia or who lives in Georgia and does not already know.
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If you do not already know about the new Georgia “texting” when driving
law,
here is the text of the new statute. This is effective July 1, 2010.
Please
note that this statute makes it illegal to write, send, or read text
messages when driving. It also applies to reading texts while at a
traffic
light or when the vehicle is idling. Pass this along to friends and
family.
Remember that if you are involved in a car accident while violating this
law
and someone is seriously injured, the ambulance chasers are really going
to
come out of the woodwork and in litigation the defendant will be subject
to
a claim for punitive damages (which is a bad thing).
“40-6-241.1.
(a) As used in the Code section, the term ‘wireless telecommunications
device’ means a cellular telephone, a text messaging device, a personal
digital assistant, a stand alone computer, or any other substantially
similar wireless device that is used to initiate or receive a wireless
communication with another person. It does not include citizens
band radios, citizens band radio hybrids, commercial two-way radio
communication devices, subscription based emergency communications,
in-vehicle security, navigation devices, and remote diagnostics systems,
or
amateur or ham radio devices.
(b) No person who is 18 years of age or older or who has a Class C
license
shall operate a motor vehicle on any public road or highway of this
state
while using a wireless telecommunications device to write, send, or read
any
text based communication, including but not limited to a text message,
instant message, e-mail, or Internet data.
(c) The provisions of this Code section shall not apply to:
(1) A person reporting a traffic accident, medical emergency, fire,
serious
road hazard, or a situation in which the person reasonably believes a
person’s health or safety is in immediate jeopardy;
(2) A person reporting the perpetration or potential perpetration of a
crime;
(3) A public utility employee or contractor acting within the scope of
his
or her employment when responding to a public utility emergency;
(4) A law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical services
personnel, ambulance driver, or other similarly employed public safety
first
responder during the performance of his or her official duties; or
(5) A person engaging in wireless communication while in a motor vehicle
which is lawfully parked.
(d) Any conviction for a violation of the provisions of this Code
section
shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $150.00. The provisions
of
Chapter 11 of Title 17 and any other provision of law to the contrary
notwithstanding, the costs of such prosecution shall not be taxed nor
shall
any additional penalty, fee, or surcharge to a fine for such
offense be assessed against a person for conviction thereof.
The court imposing such fine shall forward a record of the disposition
to
the Department of Driver Services. Any violation of this Code section
shall
constitute a separate offense.”
SECTION 6. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2010, and shall
apply
to offenses committed on or after such date.
Joe S. Rouse
402 CMMXSS/MXDQBA
Commercial Number : 478-222-4088 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 478-222-4088 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
DSN 472-4088 & cell: 538-5175
Bld. 140 ESOH OFFICE
Unit Environmental Coordinator
Robins AFB, Ga. 31098
2 responses to No Texting and Driving in GA!!
I think it makes perfect sense, some people are so involved with their conversation that they loose track of where they are.
Nye, I hope teenagers and everyone else will take this law seriously!