This week, Governor Nathan Deal signed the Hands-Free Georgia Act into law.
It outlaws drivers from holding or supporting a phone or other electronic device with their body while driving.
We set out to Verify when the law takes effect and when local law enforcement will start writing tickets.
To Verify, we talked to Corporal Michael Burns with Georgia State Patrol, Captain Ronnie Harlowe with Houston County Sheriff's Office and Lieutenant Scott Davis with the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.
The Governor's Office of Highway Safety says the Hands-Free Georgia Act takes effect July 1, 2018.
Some reports say the Georgia State Patrol will give a 90-day grace period for drivers to get used to the law.
But Corporal Burns with the state patrol's Forsyth Post says headquarters has not told them a set period.
“If our headquarters does not give any type of mandate, then it's going to be up to the particular trooper on how they want to handle it. I'll tell our people that my advice would be to give some type of grace period just because, like I said, it's a habit, daily habit for most drivers,” Burns explains.
Burns says there is no mandated 90-day grace period, but he does not think it’s fair to start ticketing immediately on July 1.
His post covers Monroe, Lamar, and Bibb counties.
In Bibb County, Lieutenant Davis says there will be a grace period, just not 90 days.
“It's our position to try to give it 30 days, period on it, just because it's a lifestyle to have that phone in your hands,” Davis says in his office.
Davis told 13 WMAZ deputies reserve the right to ticket for the offense after July 1 in more serious cases, like accidents.
Houston County Patrol Division Captain Ronnie Harlowe says they'll also observe a grace period, but have not decided how long.
The Governor's Office of Highway Safety also said in part:
“While most state and local law enforcement officers will be working to educate all motorists on HB 673 in the first few months, drivers should not expect to automatically receive a warning if they are stopped for violating the Hands-Free law.”
So, we Verified that there is no mandate for a 90-day grace period.
The law itself also does not require or mention a grace period after the effective date.
VERIFY SOURCES
Captain Ronnie Harlowe, Houston County Sheriff's Office
Corporal Michael Burns, Georgia State Patrol Post 44
Lieutenant Scott Davis, Bibb County Sheriff's Office
VERIFY RESOURCES
HB 673
Governor's Office of Highway Safety