{"id":10279,"date":"2024-04-22T01:49:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T01:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veloxinsurance.com\/blog\/?p=10279"},"modified":"2024-04-22T13:51:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T13:51:05","slug":"georgias-hands-free-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veloxinsurance.com\/blog\/georgias-hands-free-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving Tips for Abiding by Georgia’s Hands-Free Law\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What do you do when you are driving to work in Atlanta and you see a call from your boss coming in on your phone? It could be something important. Or you are on your way home from dropping your child off at school in Savannah and you see the school is calling you. Would you consider breaking your state\u2019s laws to pick up the call? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost every state has distracted driving laws and Georgia is one of them. This is because even a momentary lapse in concentration is a leading cause of road accidents. Everyone seems to feel their insurance rates are already pretty high, but being involved in an accident because you were distracted is almost a guarantee you will see a rise in your auto insurance costs<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Georgia has taken one big step toward reducing distracted driving incidents: The Georgia Hands-Free Law. Keep reading to see how y’all can minimize your exposure to the law while driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steering Into Safety: Understanding Georgia’s Hands-Free Law<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Officially known as the Hands-Free Georgia Act, House Bill (HB) 673 was passed in May 2018 and signed into law by then-Governor Nathan Deal. Basically, it forbids the use of electronic devices and other distractions in hand while driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That phrase “in hand” is important because drivers may use voice-operated devices with Bluetooth connections to arrange the church potluck or the neighborhood barbecue. If your vehicle is fitted with such devices, you can send and receive phone calls and even deliver voice command text messages while driving. (Of course, it could be argued that such mental actions can be just as distracting as using the devices by hand, but that’s an argument for another day). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t think you’ve found a loophole by only texting or dialing while stopped at a light or in a traffic jam, either. It’s still illegal to use your devices by hand even while stopped dead in traffic, as long as you’re on a public road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navigating the Legal Landscape<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Georgia and the rest of the country, the communications technology landscape has changed dramatically and continues to change. The laws have changed, too, to keep up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a motorist, staying current with this particular changing law is critical. Not only will it keep you safer while behind the wheel, but it will also keep you free of penalty points on your record and even the possible costs of rising insurance rates, lawyers, and the state’s legal system. That’s why knowing about and complying with the Georgia Hands-Free Law is so important.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Penalties for Breaking the Hands-Free Rule<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first time you’re stopped and ticketed for texting and driving or similar “handsy” violations, it will cost you a $50 fine and one point on your Georgia driving record. It’s not the end of the world, but money that could be better spent on buying peaches for that new peach cobbler recipe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the distracted driving penalty<\/a> increases with each violation over 24 months. Your second offense within two years will set you back $100 and two penalty points. Keep it up? The third violation can get you a ticket for $150 and three driving record points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, 15 penalty points on your record over two years earn you a court appearance and a license suspension. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fun and games don’t stop there. Add on lawyer fees, court costs, and needing to get around without a license. Then there’s the fact that, at the very least, your auto insurance will go up with a suspension, and you could even lose your standard policy as a high-risk driver. That means having to get very expensive liability coverage to stay legal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t worry just yet, though: One or two Georgia Hands-Free Law tickets generally won’t raise your auto insurance rates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How This Regulation Affects Various Motorist Categories<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The penalties are stiff enough if you only use your car to go to work, run errands, or get the kids to and from school and activities. But what if you use your vehicle to earn a living? Then, the possible penalties become even harsher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re a commercial truck driver or a rideshare driver, driving violations of any kind can get you fired from your job. And if your license is suspended, so is your career until you can get it back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, in addition to the lawyer fees and court costs, you need to figure out how to earn a paycheck until you can get legally behind the wheel again. So take special care if you need a vehicle and license in good standing to pay the rent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical Tips to Stay Compliant on the Road<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s not really that challenging to stay compliant with the law. Just follow a few common-sense suggestions. Most new vehicles come with the ability to set up Bluetooth technology, but if you are driving a treasured relic you inherited from your favorite cousin, you can take other steps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n