Popular searches:
dui lawyer dui school dui classes dui felony dui jail dui probation
Talk to a Lawyer
Enter a zip code to speak to a Lawyer that serves your area.
Select the type of Lawyer you need
Georgia Text Messaging and Cell Phone Laws
June 2010 Update
Governor Signs Texting and Cell Phone Bill into Law
Governor Perdue has signed two new distracted driving bills into law, Senate Bill 360 and House Bill 23.
Senate Bill 360 is the Caleb Sorohan Act and prohibits individuals from using wireless telecommunications devices for writing, sending or receiving text messages while operating a motor vehicle.
Specifically the new law states:
"No person 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, electronic mail, or Internet data."
The fine for offenders will be $150 and one point on their driver license, the new law goes into effect on July 1st, 2010.
To read the bill please go to Senate Bill 360
House Bill 23 was also signed into law by the Governor. This new law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless communication device.
Specifically the new law states:
"prohibits
use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons under 18 years of
age with an instruction permit or Class D license while operating a
motor vehicle"
Like the other new driving law, the fine for offenders will be $150 and one point on their driver license, the new law goes into effect on July 1st, 2010.
To read the bill please go to House Bill 23
Note: The only other current Cell Phone law in the State of Georgia as of January 2010, is the School Bus Driver Law:
""The
use of a mobile, wireless, or cellular phone or other communication
device by a school bus driver while there are one or more children or
other passengers on the school bus shall be prohibited."
The bills listed below have not been passed into law (January 2010) and may fail or undergo amendment.
2010 Updates - Other Text Messaging / Cell Phone Laws Being Considered
January 27th, 2010 Update - The text messaging law being considered has been sent by the House of Representative's public safety committee to a "Study Committee".
Apparently there are still unanswered questions regarding enforcement of the bill if it were to become law.
In addition, lawmakers are wondering how you can tell the difference between sending a text message and dialing a phone. These issues will be considered by the study committee.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
The Georgia legislature is considering House Bill 938.
If passed without amendment, the new law would prohibit use of wireless telecommunications devices for sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle.
In addition, a driver convicted of writing, sending or reading a text message would be fined $50 to $100 and have two points placed on his driver's license.
Other Text Messaging / Cell Phone Bills in the Georgia Legislature
A
BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to
change certain provisions relating to suspension or revocation of the
licenses of habitually negligent or dangerous drivers and the point
system; to change certain provisions relating to drivers' exercise of
due care; to prohibit use of wireless telecommunications devices for
sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle; to
provide penalties for violations; to provide for related matters; to
provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
Georgia House Bill 944
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to prohibit certain use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons while operating a motor vehicle; to provide for exceptions; to provide penalties for violations; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 11 of Chapter 6 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to miscellaneous provisions of uniform rules of the road, so as to change certain provisions relating to drivers' exercise of due care and proper use of radios and mobile telephones; to prohibit certain use of wireless telecommunications devices; to provide for enforcement; to provide exceptions; to provide penalties for violations; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Cell Phone Law Rumors
Georgia has fallen victim to the recent 2007 spate of e-Rumors that are plaguing Texas and Florida . The current email is being distributed and forwarded by good-willed Georgians to notify friends and family of the impending driving laws in Georgia. The only real cell-phone law in Georgia is House Bill 612. This bill prohibits drivers of a school bus from using a cellular phone or other communication devices while there are one or more children or other passengers on the school bus.
There has been an email that has been circulating around Georgia that has the following text. There is no truth to the following rumor of laws or fines to the Georgia community. If you receive an email with content similar to the text below notify the person forwarding the email that this information is false.
THIS text is an example of the HOAX or e-Rumor that has been passed around the Internet.
THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE EMAIL HOAX
1. Carpool lane 1st time $1068.50 starting 7/1/07 (The $271 posted on the highway is old). Don't do it again because 2nd time is going to be double.3rd time triple, and 4th time license suspended.
2. Incorrect lane change - $380. Don't cross the lane on solid lines or intersections.
3. Block intersection - $485
4. Driving on the shoulder - $450
5. Cell phone use in the construction zone. - Double fine as of 07/01/07. Cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving.
6. Passengers over 18 not in their seatbelts - both passengers and drivers get tickets. 7. Speeders can only drive 3 miles above the limit.
8. DUI = JAIL (Stays on your driving record for 10 years!)
9. As of 07/01/07 cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving. Ticket is $285. They will be looking for this like crazy - easy money for police department.
END OF HOAX.
More Information Georgia's Hands-Free Driving Law
Here is the State of Georgia's government website that has information regarding Georgia's cell-phone driving law.
State Website- Information on Georgia's Cell-Phone Driving Law