Georgia's Hands Free Law takes effect on July 1st

6/29/2018 (Permalink)

What you can and cannot do while driving

House Bill 673, or “Hands Free Law”, will take effect on July 1^st, 2018. This law prohibits drivers from having their phone in their hand or lap while driving. 

Here is what you can and cannot do while driving.

• A driver cannot have a phone in their hand or use any part of their body to support their phone.  Drivers can only use their phones to make or receive phone calls by using speakerphone, earpiece, wireless headphone, phone is connected to vehicle or an electronic watch.  GPS navigation devices are allowed.
• Headsets and earpieces can only be worn for communication purposes and not for listening to music or other entertainment.
• A driver may not send or read any text-based communication unless using voice-based communication that automatically converts message to a written text or is being used for navigation or GPS
• A driver may not write, send or read any text messages, e-mails, social media or internet data content
• A driver may not watch a video unless it is for navigation.
• A driver may not record a video (continuously running dash cams are exempt)
• Music streaming apps can be used provided the driver activates and programs them when they are parked.  Drivers cannot touch their phones to do anything to their music apps when they are on the road.  Music streaming apps that include video also are not allowed since drivers cannot watch videos when on the road.  Drivers can listen to and program music streaming apps that are connected to and controlled through their vehicle's radio. 

Source: http://www.headsupgeorgia.com/handsfree-law/

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