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06-27-2018, 07:07 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,881
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GA Hands Free Law effective 1 Jul 18
Just so you know if you're driving in Ga effective 1 Jul 18, there is a new law regarding communication devices:
<snip>
(b) A driver shall exercise due care in operating a motor vehicle on the highways of this state and shall not engage in any actions which shall distract such driver from the safe operation of such vehicle.
(c) While operating a motor vehicle on any highway of this state, no individual shall:
(1) Physically hold or support, with any part of his or her body a:
(A) Wireless telecommunications device, provided that such exclusion shall not prohibit the use of an earpierce, headphone device, or device worn on a wrist to conduct a voice-based communication (Smartphone watch); or
(B) Stand-alone electronic device;
(2) Write, send, or read any text-based communication, including but not limited to a text message, instant message, e-mail, or Internet data on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device; provided, however, that such prohibition shall not apply to:
(A) A voice based communication which is automatically converted by such device to be sent as a message in a written form; or
(B) The use of such device for navigation of such vehicle for global positioning system purposes.
(3) Watch a video or movie on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device other than watching data related to the navigation of such vehicle; or
(4) Record or broadcast video on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device; provided that such prohibition shall not apply to electronic devices used for the sole purpose of continuously recording or broadcasting video within or outside of the motor vehicle.
(d) While operating a commercial motor vehicle on any highway of this state, no individual shall:
(1) Use more than a single button on a wireless telecommunications device to initiate or terminate a voice communication; or
(2) Reach for a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device in such a manner that requires the driver to no longer be:
(A) In a seated driving position; or
(B) Properly restrained by a safety belt.
(e) Each violation of this Code section shall constitute a separate offense. <snip>
Full law: https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/high...ands-free-law/
__________________
2010 Phaeton 40QTH on a PG Chassis.
2017 Lincoln MKX.
Air Force One brake system and Blue OX Towbar.
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06-27-2018, 07:15 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Loudon Couny, TN
Posts: 745
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Thanks for the info and I hope the law makes a difference
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Larry, Beverly & Pat
Pups - Romeo, Teddy Bear, Frankie
2013 Thor Tuscany, 45', Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISL10, towing a Buick Enclave
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06-27-2018, 07:57 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Sun city,ca
Posts: 405
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It's a great law and hopefully will keep kids from texting and driving. ..
Sent from my SM-G900T using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app
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06-27-2018, 09:00 AM
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#4
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,578
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That should be a federal law!
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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06-27-2018, 09:05 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers
That should be a federal law!
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With , death numbers from distracted driving surpassing those of drunk driving in most areas , you'd think that the feds ( Canadian or US ) would get their collective { self edit } in gear.
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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06-27-2018, 09:14 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Doesn't seem to be effective here in WA state. Been illegal for several years and I still see it all the time.
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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06-27-2018, 09:37 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
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Same in NY. Hands free law has been on the books since 2001. It was upgraded in 2013, due to no compliance, to 5 points on your license. We still see folks talking and texting on the road.
Sent from my VS835 using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app
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06-27-2018, 10:37 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Chicago Metro
Posts: 3,949
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dude
Thanks for the info and I hope the law makes a difference
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it likely won't. more of a 'feel good' law than anything else. people who already use a Bluetooth headset/device will continue to use that while those who aren't won't.
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Rich, Ham Radio, Sport Pilot
Retired 9-1-1 Admin.
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06-27-2018, 10:48 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Chicago Metro
Posts: 3,949
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers
That should be a federal law!
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why? how would that work? which court would hear the cases?
IMO it's not the holding of the device that's the problem...it's getting engrossed in the conversation. If holding the device was the issue then there'd be laws requiring both hands to be on the wheel at all times.
btw, there never was a federal law mandating 55-mph back in the day. the feds threatened to cut off federal highway funds to any state that did not enact the 55-mph speed limit. back in the day my wife, driving our Mustang, was pulled over on I-80 east of Reno for doing 80+ in a 55. instead of a speeding ticket the trooper issued her a "$5 Inefficient Use Of Energy Ticket". he told her to just mail it in when we returned home and added this was Nevada's way of telling the feds where to put it.
by the way, the new Georgia law still allows the use of different devices which can be held in one hand...just not a cell phone.
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Rich, Ham Radio, Sport Pilot
Retired 9-1-1 Admin.
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06-27-2018, 10:49 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,881
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I hope it helps, like some say it may be eyewash, but at least now the cops can ticket you.
Not sure what it will take to come to the realization that something more substantial will have to happen before people stop texting and driving. I would support a nanny device on phones to prevent texting while driving. It wouldn't take long before someone figures out how to defeat that safety feature though.
__________________
2010 Phaeton 40QTH on a PG Chassis.
2017 Lincoln MKX.
Air Force One brake system and Blue OX Towbar.
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06-27-2018, 10:51 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Chicago Metro
Posts: 3,949
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__________________
Rich, Ham Radio, Sport Pilot
Retired 9-1-1 Admin.
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06-27-2018, 10:57 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1,111
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Why can't they write a simple law that say something like while operating a motor vehicle, you must do nothing but operate the motor vehicle.
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Mark
1999 Bounder 32H Ford V10, 2012 Ford Focus, Pretty DW, 1 cat. Retired USAF
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06-27-2018, 11:28 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Capistrano Beach, California
Posts: 4,465
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrt_1111
Why can't they write a simple law that say something like while operating a motor vehicle, you must do nothing but operate the motor vehicle.
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To some degree, this^^ makes the most sense, IMO.
As mentioned before, several states have laws similar to that in Georgia, and they have little to no effect. Living in California, which has had similar laws for years, I have seen nothing but an increase in cell phone use over the years, and that's only the use that is visible--driver's holding the devices in their hands.
Studies, like the one by the University of Utah in 2006, show that distracted driving--using a cell phone whether hands-free or not-- impaired the driver to a greater degree than if they were intoxicated. https://www.natlawreview.com/article...l-consequences
IMO, cell phone use while driving needs to be treated just like a DUI in terms of enforcement and penalties. Suspension/loss of license, points on your license, increased insurance rates, and possible jail time, should be some of the consequences for repeat offenders.
Yes, enforcement will always be the weak link. Still, the message will get across if those caught are punished by more than an "infraction." People have gotten the message about drunk driving, to a certain degree, and the use of taxis, Uber, or designated drivers, is now considered a wise choice, given the Public Service Ads showing the consequences of a DUI. Those same consequences need to be made clear for distracted driving as well.
Driving is a full-time responsibility. In a perfect world, it should require one's undivided attention. In the real world, it should require avoidance of behaviors that clearly demonstrate attention impairment, like drug, alcohol, and cell phone use.
Rant over.
__________________
Larry, Eileen, and Finley
2004 Alpine 36FDDS
Third motor home, first Alpine, no need for another.
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06-27-2018, 12:41 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Chicago Metro
Posts: 3,949
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrt_1111
Why can't they write a simple law that say something like while operating a motor vehicle, you must do nothing but operate the motor vehicle.
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so...no turning on-off/tuning the radio, adjusting the heating/cooling, talking to passengers and so forth? i'll bet serious money that most if not all states already have distracted driving laws on the books. when i was still living at home we had a car run into a tree in our front yard. the driver said he was reaching for his lunch box that had fallen onto the floor from the passenger's seat. he was cited for operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner...distracted driving. these hands-free laws are designed to do nothing but demonstrate to the public that our elected reps are doing something.
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Rich, Ham Radio, Sport Pilot
Retired 9-1-1 Admin.
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