Gov. Deal to sign distracted driving bill into law today

STATESBORO — Governor Nathan Deal will sign the highly anticipated hands-free driving bill into law today.

The signing of HB 673 will not take place at the Capitol, but instead in Statesboro, home of Georgia Southern University —  where five nursing students were killed in a highway crash after an oncoming vehicle struck theirs as a result of distracted driving.

“Don’t view this as a hostile act by the state government,” Deal said. “It is an act to protect the safety of anyone.”

The distracted driving legislation prevents motorists from holding cell phones while behind the wheel. However, there are other options that are acceptable for “hands-free.” Those include using a speakerphone, Bluetooth and wireless earbuds. Drivers can even use Siri, Alexa or Cortana to tell them who to call while driving.

The first fine will be up to $50, the second jumps to $100. Three fines or more will be $150. First-time offenders can get the fee waived by buying a Bluetooth device and providing a proof of purchase.

More than a dozen other states have passed similar laws, with most reporting fewer traffic deaths.

Georgia’s new distracted driving law will take effect July 1 after Deal signs the “Hands-Free Georgia Act” into law on Wednesday, May 2.