In the state of Georgia, texting while driving a motor vehicle is against the law, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. However, it is still legal for drivers to talk on a cell phone as long as they are over the age of 18. The exceptions to this are school bus drivers who are not permitted to use a cell phone while the bus is in motion or while passengers are getting on or off the bus. While these laws are important and can reduce the number of car accidents that occur because of drivers being distracted, it can be argued that the use of cell phones should be banned all together.
This is exactly what the GHSA is pushing for. According to a report in 2011, 15 to 25 percent of car crashes occur when a driver is distracted. Using a cell phone is one of the most common driver distractions. GHSA applauds states that have banned texting and driving, but say that these laws can be difficult to enforce without outlawing the use of cell phones altogether. This is because a driver could say that he was dialing a number instead of texting when a police officer stops him.
Enacting laws that ban the use of cell phones for any reason while operating a motor vehicle may lower driver distraction and work to reduce the number of car accidents that occur on Georgia roadways.
