For traffic safety advocates, there was big news on Wednesday. Georgia joined the ranks of states that forbid the use of hand-held cell phones while behind the wheel.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed H.B. 673 into law, which makes the state the 16th (along with D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) to ban the use of hand-held phones while driving, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) noted, a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices that commended the action.
“Congratulations to the State of Georgia for this notable achievement,” Jonathan Adkins, the group’s executive director, said in a statement. “Despite widespread awareness of the risks, many drivers still engage in distracting behaviors.” He added that the GHSA urges all states without such a law to follow suit, and “all motorists to refrain from all distractions and commit their full attention to driving.”
The association said that in addition to Georgia, several other states strengthened traffic safety laws during their respective 2018 legislative sessions.
“Laws and traffic enforcement set social norms for safe practices, curb dangerous driving, and empower police officers to stop risky behavior when they detect it,” Adkins added. “Legislative initiatives are an essential part of the traffic safety equation.”
Recent examples include:
Impaired Driving: Idaho and Iowa enacted laws requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders. Alabama, Arizona and Delaware adopted improvements to their existing ignition interlock programs. Vermont augmented its law banning open containers of marijuana in vehicles.
Occupant Protection: Nebraska and Virginia became the 10th and 11th states to require children younger than age two to ride in a rear-facing child safety seat, in line with American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations. Nebraska also now requires child passengers to use a booster seat up to age 8.
Distracted Driving: Oregon has adopted new improvements to its distracted driving laws.
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