Georgia: Cell phone laws, legislation

Cell phone legislation news: The House has approved a ban on the use of wireless devices by drivers under 18.

Current prohibitions:
School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving, if passengers are present.

Pending legislation:
HB 23: Would prohibit drivers under 18 from using wireless devices such as cell phones and texting units. Approved by the Georgia House on March 12, 2009.

HB 19: Would create distracted driving penalties for motorists who were using cell phones at the time of an accident, with or without hands-free devices. One-point penalty and up to $500 fine upon conviction. Appears dead for 2009.

HB 21: Would ban drivers with learning permits (instructional or provisional) from using cell phone, with or without hands-free devices. One-point penalty upon conviction. No action — see HB 23.

Georgia cell phone/texting legislation notes:
HB 23, which was approved in the House on a 138-34 vote, calls for fines of $50 to $100 and two points on the offender’s driving record. An accident caused by a teen using a cell phone would result in a loss of license for three months or until the driver turns 18.

HB 23 was sponsored by Reps. Matt Ramsey of Peachtree City, Edward Lindsey of Atlanta and Tom Rice of Norcross (all Republicans). “If the law is enacted and proves successful, it will bolster the case for further efforts to reduce distractions among all drivers,” Ramsey wrote on his legislative blog. Of a ban on handheld cell phones for all drivers, he wrote, “I would not be optimistic it would pass this year.”

Cell law inspiration: Ramsey notes he was run off the road by a high school student talking on a cell phone while driving.

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, has been a driver of cell phone driver legislation in Georgia. She filed the bills HB 19 and 21 for the 2009 legislative session, but they were not approved. Her HB 174, banning use of cell phones by teen drivers, also failed to become law in 2007.

Georiga’s law preventing school bus drivers from using cell phone while on the road was enacted in August 2007.