Make Georgia Hands-Free

Distracted driving has emerged as a patient safety epidemic.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, distracted driving is responsible for about 16 percent of all fatal crashes in the U.S. – which translates into some 5,000 deaths per year.

Meanwhile, a 2014 National Safety Council (NSC) report concluded that mobile phone use caused 26 percent of car accidents in the U.S. It also found that “just five percent of mobile phone-related accidents in the U.S. involved texting,” while stressing that, “The majority of the accidents involve drivers distracted while talking on cell phones.”

The ‘End Distracted Driving’ campaign says that, “There is clear evidence that talking on a hands-free device is distracting and reduces the driver’s ability to react. There are some mixed studies that show hands free use of phones, including voice to text, is just as dangerous as holding a device. Also, there are studies that show the laws do not work without strong enforcement and public awareness campaigns.”

And NSC, reports that, “In states with hand held device bans, the crash death rates were reduced from 11.8 deaths per 100,000 to 7.3 per 100,000.”

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from driving, including texting, using a cell phone or smartphone, eating and drinking, grooming, reading, looking at maps, using a navigation system, and adjusting the radio.

In 2016, the Medical Association of Georgia’s (MAG) House of Delegates passed a resolution that calls for MAG to promote legislation that would require drivers who make phone calls while operating a motor vehicle to do so on a hands-free basis.

In 2017, MAG supported a bill that Rep. Betty Price, M.D., introduced that would have prohibited drivers in the state from using hand-held cell phones while driving – legislation that has passed in other 14 states. (It is also worth noting that Georgia is one of 46 states that have enacted bans on texting while driving.)

While Dr. Price’s bill did not pass in 2017, lawmakers did pass a measure (H.R. 282) by Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) that will lead to the formation of a House study committee on distracted driving – and MAG will serve on this study committee. 

In addition to MAG's legislative efforts, the MAG Foundation is working with the Medical Association of Atlanta and the MAG Alliance to raise public awareness on the benefits of ending distracted driving. Contact Lori Cassity Murphy at or 678.303.9282 to support this campaign with a donation.  

Georgia General Assembly gives final passage to hands-free driving bill; Rep. Carson provides bill specifics

The following press release was issued on April 18, 2018...

State Representative John Carson (R-Marietta), Chairman of the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving, announced that the Georgia General Assembly gave final passage to House Bill 673, the Hands-Free Georgia Act, on Thursday, March 29, 2018. This measure would create a hands-free driving law in Georgia.

The measure is now awaiting final approval from Governor Nathan Deal, who voiced his support for this bill during the 2018 legislative session. If signed by Gov. Deal, HB 673 would create a hands-free driving law in Georgia that would take effect on July 1, 2018.

'I am grateful for the hard work and support of the Georgia General Assembly, and I am glad that we were able to come to an agreement on how to best enforce distracted driving laws,' said Rep. Carson. 'HB 673 has received extensive input and was thoroughly studied and perfected. I am confident this bill will make our state's roadways safer for all Georgia commuters and decrease the number of distracted driving crashes.'

HB 673 would prohibit drivers from holding or supporting a wireless telecommunication device or a stand-alone electronic device while operating a vehicle. Additionally, this measure would maintain the ban on texting, emailing and internet browsing while driving, but would also ban watching or recording videos while driving. GPS navigation and voice-to-text features would still be permitted.

Rep. Carson notes further specific provisions of this bill:

Drivers would not be allowed to:

-Physically hold or support a wireless telecommunications device (i.e. mobile phone) or a stand-alone electronic device (i.e. iPad, iPod, Kindle, etc.) with any part of the body; exceptions would be made for an earpiece, headphone device or telecommunications device worn on a wrist (i.e. smart watch).

-Write, send or read any text-based communication, including but not limited to instant message, e-mail or internet data; exceptions would be allowed for voice-to-text technology.

-Watch a video or movie on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device;

-Record or broadcast a video on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device; this would not apply to devices used for the sole purpose of continuously recording or broadcasting video within or outside of the motor vehicle (i.e. dash cams).

Drivers would be allowed to:

-Use their phone for voice communication on a hands-free basis;

-Touch their phone for dialing, receiving or ending a call as long as the driver is not holding or supporting the phone;

-Use their phone for GPS navigation apps;

-Use voice-to-text technology.

Rep. Carson highlights frequently asked questions about the bill and offers answers to those questions:

Why is this law needed in Georgia?



When will Gov. Deal sign this legislation into law?

The Governor's Office is currently reviewing this bill and others as part of its legislative review. Although he has endorsed the legislation, he has until early May to sign or veto the legislation.

Could I still talk on my phone while driving?

Yes, as long as it is done hands-free. Drivers would be able to use their phone's speakerphone, Bluetooth technology, an earpiece, a headphone or other device to allow them to communicate on a hands-free basis.




No. The proposed law simply states that a driver cannot hold or support a mobile phone. A phone can be left on a vehicle's console, a front seat, etc. However, for the safety of all Georgians, state and local law enforcement recommend the purchase and use of a hands-free device if using a mobile phone while driving.


Many online retailers offer a Bluetooth adapter for vehicles without Bluetooth or similar technology built into the vehicle. These adapters can be found at local retailers or online by searching 'Bluetooth hands-free car kit' in an internet search engine.

What would the fines/penalties be?

-First conviction: $50, one point on a license;

-Second conviction: $100, two points on a license;

-Third and subsequent convictions: $150, three points on a license.

Could I listen to online radio apps while driving?

No. These types of programs (i.e. Spotify, Pandora, etc.) require internet data to be streamed while driving, and this proposed law would maintain this internet prohibition.



Could I talk to someone via video telephony apps, such as FaceTime or Skype, if doing so 'hands-free?'

No. The proposed hands-free driving law states that a driver shall not 'record or broadcast a video' on any mobile phones, iPads, computers, etc. while operating a vehicle.

For more information on HB 673, please click here.



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