Georgia Distracted Driving Stop Leads to Drug Bust

A driver in Jonesboro, Ke'Juan McDay, was pulled over for allegedly taking a selfie while driving. This led to an investigation after smelling marijuana in the car. A search of the car lead to the discovery of marijuana, a firearm, cash, and oxycodone.

His distracted driving traffic stop led to many more charges.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I'll outline the distracted driving laws in Georgia in today's post.

Distracted Driving in Georgia

Distracted Driving in Georgia, also known as texting while driving in Georgia, has evolved over the past year. The Hands Free Georgia Law changed some original aspects of the law. The changes are as follows:

• Drivers cannot have a phone in their hand or touching any part of their body while talking on their phone while driving.
• Even with hands-free technology, drivers cannot write, read or send text messages, e-mails, social media content and other internet data while on the road. (Voice to text is allowed)
• Drivers cannot watch videos when they are on the road.  (Navigational/GPS videos are allowed)
• Drivers cannot use their phones or electronic devices to record video when they are on the road. (Continuously running dash cams are allowed)
• Drivers may listen to streaming music that does not include videos on the screen of their phone or device while driving but cannot touch their phones while on the road to activate or program any music streaming app.  Streaming music that is controlled by and listened through the vehicle's radio is allowed.   Drivers who need to touch their phones to activate/program their music streaming apps must do so before getting on the road.
• The fine for a first conviction is $50.00 and 1 point assessed against the driver's license.  The fine is $100.00 and 2 points for a second conviction and $150.00 and 3 points for three or more conviction.  The fines for a 2nd or 3rd offense only apply when date of a 2nd or 3rd conviction takes place within 24 months of the date of the first conviction.  First time offenders can have the charge dropped by showing the court they have obtained a device that allows them to talk on a phone with hands-free technology or devices.  

Practice Note

According to reports, Georgia police have still been soliciting more warnings than citations. However, this will only last so long. Distracted driving leads to more investigations - such as DUI in Georgia.

If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact our offices today.