As in most states, texting and driving is illegal in Georgia. Naturally, this is tough for law enforcement officers to enforce, but if a driver is spotted texting, a fine of $150, plus penalty points, will be issued. Cell phone use by adult drivers in Georgia is still allowed with a few exceptions, but as with many states, this law is subject to change in the coming years.

Drivers Under 18

In Georgia, a “novice driver” law applies to cell phone use. Drivers under the age of eighteen are not allowed to use cell phones, even through a hands-free device like a Bluetooth earpiece. The fine for this is $150, as with texting, and if a teen is involved in an accident while texting or on the cell phone, the fine doubles.

School Bus Drivers

Aside from underage drivers, bus drivers are banned from using cell phones. Specifically, school bus drivers may not use cell phones (handheld or hands-free) while loading and unloading students or while the bus is in motion.

Texting while driving is also illegal for school bus drivers, falling under the general law for all drivers.

Texting and Driving

Georgia is one of many states where texting is now illegal while driving. As mentioned above, texting is a difficult offense to spot, but behaviors usually associated with texting while driving like swerving and rolling through stop signs are usual indicators. The most common accident associated with texting while driving is a rear end car accident. Even if someone is pulled over for reckless driving behavior and texting was at fault, an officer may have a difficult time proving texting was the cause. As officers have stated to the press, most of the time when the driver is asked, they simply respond they were dialing a number. In most states, dialing a phone number while driving still is not illegal, even though it has been proven to be just as dangerous as texting.

Often, texting and driving is only pinpointed when the behavior results in a fatality. At that point, cell phone records may be called upon. Unfortunately, too many fatalities each year result from texting and driving, especially in younger drivers, leaving law enforcement officers with no way to stop this behavior other than education.

Other Phone Uses

Obviously, we now live in a world where texting and talking on a phone aren’t the only dangers on the world. Drivers are tweeting and Facebooking, as well as checking e-mail and inputting data into GPS devices. Even voice-to-text features designed to make cell phone use while driving safer fail in most cases, as drivers look down at the screen to make sure commands are executed.

But in many states, dialing while driving is considered part of regular cell phone use, whether handsfree or handheld. As long as cell phone use is still allowed in moving vehicles, dialing and driving will still be legal, or so it appears. Yet, with dialing being just as distracting as texting, checking e-mail, and inputting data into GPS devices, drivers need to be aware that it even if it is legal, it is still extremely dangerous and could result in a serious car accident.

The Marks Law Group specializes in texting while driving accidents. Because of their extensive experience in personal injury law, if you have been involved in an auto accident they can help you too. They work hard for their clients each and every step of the way.

If you or someone you love is the victim of a texting while driving auto accident, you need to call one of the qualified attorneys at the Marks Law Group today. They want to hear about your particular situation and from there they will be able to let you know what your very best option is.