Recently, our auto accident attorneys have seen state after state pass laws that make texting while driving illegal.  Soon, Georgia will become the next state to pass a law against texting while driving according to details from the Savannah Morning News.

New Georgia laws will make texting while driving illegal.

Three laws expected to be signed by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue in June will make distracted driving, specifically cell phone use, illegal on state streets and highways.

House Bill 23 prevents drivers in Georgia under 18 with Class D licenses from driving a car while talking on a cell phone, texting or anything other than driving.  The only exceptions are reporting an auto accident, medical emergency,  serious road hazard or an immediate threat to personal safety.  If the driver is legally parked, cell phone use is allowed.

House Bill 23 does more to keep teen motorists from getting into auto accidents. Teenage drivers with Class D licenses are already restricted from driving between midnight and 6 a.m.  They’re also restricted from having passengers other than immediate family until a they have had a year’s worth of driving experience under their belt.

A second Georgia law, SB 360, puts the same restriction on texting while driving on drivers over the age of 18 with Class C licenses.  That law only deals with writing, sending or reading a text-based communication on a phone (i.e. text message, instant message or e-mail), with an exceptions to texting while driving law that are similar to HB 23.  Another exception, however, is given to public utility employees or contractors doing their job when working during an emergency.

Both texting while driving laws carry fines of $150 and points off driving records.

Texting while driving has become a serious issue for lawmakers across the United States, and our auto accident attorneys in San Diego applaud laws like these.  That’s because you need to pay attention to what you see out of your windows while behind the wheel, not what you see on your phone’s screen.

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