Ga. Hands-Free Driving Enforcement Begins
After a distracted driving law banning hand-held cell-phone use went into effect in Georgia on July 1, law enforcement officers wrote 1,000 citations in just four days.
Georgia law enforcement officers wrote 1,000 citations in the four days after a hands-free cell-phone ban went into effect.
Photo via Tinker Air Force Base.
After a distracted driving law banning hand-held cell-phone use went into effect in Georgia, law enforcement officers wrote 1,000 citations in just four days, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Hands-Free Georgia Act went into effect on July 1. The law prohibits motorists from holding their cellphones, though drivers can make calls while behind the wheel via Bluetooth or other hands-free methods.
Getting a bead on compliance with the new measure will take some time. However, the Georgia Department of Public Safety, which patrols interstates, told the Journal-Constitution that its troopers wrote nearly 180 tickets and close to 800 formal warnings from the time the law went into effect through the Fourth of July holiday.
In addition, the Atlanta Police Department and Lawrenceville Police Department wrote 86 and 25 tickets, respectively, for hands-free violations over the same time period, according to the report.
Penalties for hands-free violations begin at $50 for the first offense. The law applies whenever a driver is operating a motor vehicle including while stopped at a red light, stop sign or while stuck in traffic.
Related: Georgia Enacts Hands-Free Law
More Safety
NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety
Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.
Read More →
Fleet Cybersecurity 101: What You Need from Your Technology Vendors
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Read More →
Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →