Georgia’s New Distracted Driving Law As Passed by the House and Senate

The Georgia Legislature recently passed HB 673, a law, “relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to prohibit actions which distract a driver while operating a motor vehicle; to provide for the proper and safe use of wireless telecommunications devices while driving; to provide for definitions; to provide for violations; to provide for punishments; to provide for the assessment of points upon conviction; to provide for additional fines to be collected by the Department of Driver Services; to provide for applicability; to provide for punishments for homicide by vehicle and for serious bodily injury by vehicle when driver was operating such motor vehicle while using a wireless telecommunications device; to correct cross-references; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.”

Governor Nathan Deal signed the bill into law last week and there has been some confusion about the scope.  For clarification, here is a link to the bill, as passed by the House and Senate.  Please contact your local law enforcement agencies if you have questions regarding what exactly is covered and what is not.