Bill Prohibits Cell Phone Use By Georgia Drivers Under 18

Decatur Metro | May 7, 2010 | 9:35 am

Because it’s a well-known and scientific fact that once you turn 18, you really master the art of simultaneous cell phone/auto use.  (Cue Liz Lemon-esque, over-the-top eye roll)

HB 23 prohibits the use of cell phones and similar electronic devices by class D driver’s license holders under the age of eighteen. Penalties for violation include a fine of not more than $100 and not less than $50 as well as 2 points on the offender’s driving record.

The Senate Public Safety Committee substitute to HB 23 makes violation of its provisions a flat $150 fine. It changes the point accumulation on the license to 1 point from 2. And, finally, it removes the automatic suspension of the license if the driver is involved in an accident.

  • - Authored By: Rep. Matt Ramsey of the 72nd
  • - House Committee: Motor Vehicles
  • - A motion to agree represents final passage of this bill.
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4 Responses to “Bill Prohibits Cell Phone Use By Georgia Drivers Under 18”

  1. Ridgelandistan says:
    May 7, 2010 at 9:57 am

    My guess is they feel a need to nibble around the edges of the problem instead of just fixing it.
    It’s crazy that limiting dangerous driving distractions in the car is such a political “third rail”.

  2. JoeBlow says:
    May 7, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Got my driver’s license in 1994 when nobody had cell phones. My first car was a manual shift. I can’t imagine the number of wrecks I would’ve had if I’d had a cell phone.

    I know there are many well thought out arguments against a law like this but I don’t see the problem. I’m sure there are quite a few parents who have begged their kids with newly minted licenses not to use their cell phones while driving. I had a “no passengers” rule for the first few months (which I largely ignored).

  3. sitting pugs says:
    May 7, 2010 at 11:24 am

    What about putting on make-up?

    Permissible while the vehicle is moving or still:
    – Putting on lip gloss or lipstick, which many women (and men) can do without taking their eyes off of the road.

    Not Permissible while the vehicle is moving:
    – Putting on foundation, blush, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara and any other cosmetic that involves the driver looking anywhere but ahead.

    Why should there be a law? How many times have you been driving down the highway and happened to see the driver behind, next to, or in front of you putting on makeup while looking at a mirror and not the road and are amazed that this driver hasn’t already hit someone?

    The problem with such a law: Where does one draw the line. Would putting on lotion count be included and where would the lotion go that makes it legal vs. illegal? Moreover, if two cars were in a collision and the person at fault was in fact putting makeup on but didn’t say so, how would anyone prove she was? Cell phone records can show if a person was lying about not using his or her cell phone immediately before an accident.