Senate rejects bill loosening Georgia’s hands-free cell law

ATLANTA — Georgia drivers will not be able to text or use their phones while stopped at a traffic light.

The Georgia Senate rejected a bill that would have softened Georgia’s distracted driving law.

“Well, win, lose or draw, I wanted it put to a vote,” the bill’s sponsor Danielsville State Sen. Frank Ginn told Channel 2′s Richard Elliot.

Ginn thought it would be a good idea to tweak Georgia’s hands free law, which prevents drivers from holding their phones while driving.

The tweak would allow for drivers to touch their phones at a traffic light or stop sign, so long as the plane was mounted at eye level. Ginn made his plea to the Georgia Senate.

“When you’re sitting perfectly still, you can handle your phone. you can have it mounted on the dash, mounted on the windshield, and you can touch your phone,” he said.

TRENDING STOIRES

• Suspected burglar hospitalized after being shot by Acworth officer
• ‘Black Panther’ director mistaken for robber, handcuffed at Atlanta bank
• DOE: 100,000 student loan borrowers eligible for debt cancellation

However, Ginn’s plan ran into a buzz saw of opposition from Democrats and many of his fellow Republicans.

“This is terrible legislation,” Sen. Randy Robertson said.

Robertson used to be a Muscogee County deputy sheriff. He thought being able to touch your phone at a traffic light or stop sign was dangerous and unnecessary.

He was concerned it could actually lead to more crashes.

“So what we need to focus on is the vehicles on the road and when we’re at the traffic signal, focus on the traffic signal. Do not worry about your phone,” Robertson said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

By the time of the vote, it wasn’t even close. It failed 35-14 with a substantial number of Republicans voting against it.

Afterwards, Ginn said he won’t try it again, at least for now.

“The message was clear, until the public weighs in and says, ‘Hey we’re tired of being preyed upon while we’re at a full and complete stop,’” he said.

MORE CAPITOL NEWS

Georgia’s House of Representatives passes three controversial education bills

©2022 Cox Media Group