How Georgia’s Hands-Free Law Violations Can Result in Personal Injury Cases

Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of auto accidents in the United States and Georgia has not been immune. In response, the state enacted the Hands-Free Georgia Act in July 2018, making it illegal for drivers to hold or support a wireless device while operating a motor vehicle. For residents of Vidalia, Georgia, home of the world-famous sweet onions and a tight-knit community, the law has significant implications for both safety and legal responsibility.

What the Law Says

Under the Hands-Free Georgia Act, drivers are prohibited from:

• Holding a phone or electronic device while driving.
• Writing, reading or sending text messages.
• Watching or recording videos.
• Using apps or browsing the internet.

However, drivers are allowed to use hands-free technology such as Bluetooth or dashboard mounts for calls and GPS navigation. Voice-to-text functions are also permitted as long as the driver doesn’t have to touch the device. This law applies on all Georgia roads, including the bustling U.S. Route 280 that runs through Vidalia and connects many rural residents to neighboring towns and counties.

Enforcement in Vidalia and Toombs County

Enforcement of the hands-free law has steadily increased since its passage. While Toombs County and Vidalia law enforcement haven’t published specific citation numbers, state troopers and local police regularly conduct campaigns to catch distracted drivers.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, nearly 25,000 citations were issued statewide for hands-free violations in the first year alone averaging more than 68 citations per day. Many of these violations occurred in rural areas, where enforcement is no less vigilant than in metro regions. Vidalia drivers may assume they’re less likely to be caught on sparsely traveled roads, but local officers continue to stress that safety doesn’t depend on traffic volume.

How the Law Is Helping

Although driver behavior doesn’t change overnight, early statistics show Georgia’s Hands-Free Law is beginning to make a difference. In 2017, the year before the law took effect, distracted driving accounted for 5.3% of all traffic fatalities in Georgia. By 2021, that number had dropped to 3.1%, a promising decline that suggests lives are being saved.

Additionally, during the first 12 months following the law’s enactment, Georgia saw a 3% decrease in total roadway fatalities. This marked the first year-to-year decline in traffic deaths the state had experienced in several years.

Locally, while Vidalia’s accident statistics are harder to isolate, any reduction in distracted driving statewide can be expected to have positive ripple effects across all communities, especially on regional thoroughfares like GA-130 and Route 280 where speeds are high and distractions can be deadly.

A Problem That Persists

Despite the law’s good intentions, distracted driving remains a pervasive issue in Georgia. A recent report from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety found that over 50% of crashes in Georgia in 2022 were linked to some form of driver distraction, including phone use, eating and adjusting controls.

Young drivers are at elevated risk. Although individuals aged 15–24 make up just 15% of Georgia’s licensed drivers, they were involved in 26% of all distraction-related crashes in 2022. Furthermore, public surveys reveal that compliance is still a work in progress. While 98% of drivers are aware of the hands-free law, 75% report seeing others hold phones behind the wheel regularly.

Success Stories from Other States

Georgia isn’t alone in its efforts to tackle distracted driving. Other states that enacted hands-free laws earlier offer compelling case studies:

• Connecticut, which passed its hands-free law in 2005, saw a 63% reduction in handheld phone use among drivers within two years.
• New York implemented its version of a hands-free law in 2001 and by 2010, the state recorded a 24% drop in fatal crashes involving mobile phone use.
• California found that traffic fatalities dropped by 22% in the first year after banning handheld phone use in 2008.

These examples show that hands-free laws, when enforced consistently and supported by public education, can lead to meaningful reductions in crashes and fatalities over time.

What This Means for You

If you live or drive in Vidalia, it’s important to understand that violating the hands-free law not only puts your life at risk but could also make you liable in the event of a crash. Courts often consider phone records and device use in determining fault. A distracted driver is far more likely to be found negligent in a personal injury case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by someone using their phone behind the wheel, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Don’t wait. Contact Farrar, Hennesy & Tanner at 912-384-2287 or request a free case review online today.