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Gwinnett Daily Post SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2018
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WHAT IT MEANS
HEADS UP, GWINNETT What the new Hands-Free Georgia Act means for motorists come July 1 BY ISABEL HUGHES • isabel.hughes@gwinnettdailypost.com
I
t’s something everyone has been guilty of at some point in his or her life: distracted driving. Distractions come in almost any form, whether they be from cellphone use or a bad night’s sleep, and each day across Georgia and the nation, motorists drive distracted. Beginning July 1, however, Georgia is taking a step to eliminate one major cause of distracted driving by prohibiting motorists’ use of cellphones and other mobile devices — and law enforcement isn’t kidding around. Georgia House Bill 673, which is better known as the Hands-Free Georgia Act, was passed by the Georgia General Assembly earlier this year and signed into law in May by Gov. Nathan Deal. Legally, there is no grace period from when the law takes place, which Georgia State Patrol and other agencies have been touting for several months now. Some jurisdictions, like Gwinnett, are taking a bit of a different approach, however, and will first focus on education — then start ticketing. “We have a 30-day grace
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We have to get to the point where a stigma is attached to distracted driving, particularly using a device, such as the stigma is about DUI and not wearing a seat belt. This law takes us in that direction.” — Garrett Townsend, director of public affairs for AAA in Georgia
period from July 1,” said Sgt. Jake Smith, a spokesman for the Gwinnett County Police Department. “We’ll be focusing on education for the first month (and we have a) flyer we’re handing out.” Still, Smith said there will be times when officers do write tickets — especially if a driver
causes an accident or injury in violation of the law. The Hands-Free Georgia Act, which is significantly more comprehensive than the 2010 laws that prohibited texting while driving and prohibited all cellphone use for See HANDS-FREE, Page 5A
15
7
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States that have passed hands-free laws
Days until Georgia’s Hands-Free Law goes into effect
Seconds, on average, your eyes are off the road when texting
3,450 People who died on U.S. roads due to distracted driving in 2016
Q: What is the law? A: The law prohibits drivers from having a phone in their hands or from having it touch any part of their body while operating a motor vehicle on the road. This includes motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Q: Can I still talk on my phone while driving? A: Yes, as long as it is done handsfree. Q: Could I touch my cellphone to dial a number or receive or end a call? A: Yes. The law simply prohibits drivers from holding or supporting the phone. Q: What are the fines/penalties? A: First conviction: $50, one point on a license; second conviction: $100, two points on a license; third and subsequent convictions: $150, three points on a license Q: Can I listen to radio applications such as Pandora or Spotify while driving? A: Yes, as long as you activate or program the radio application prior to getting on the road (the road includes being stopped for traffic signals and stop signs). Q: Can I talk to someone via video telephone applications, such as FaceTime or Skype, if doing so “hands-free?” A: No. Drivers may not “record or broadcast a video” while driving. Q: Is there a grace period? A: No. Beginning July 1, hands-free means hands-free. Q: Can Uber or other ride-sharing drivers use their phones? A: They are subject to the same restrictions as the general public. Q: What are the exceptions? A: Phone usage is allowed when reporting a traffic crash, medical emergency, fire, criminal activity or hazardous road conditions; first responders may use devices in official capacities; and drivers may use a device when legally parked off the roadway (a parking lot is allowed, a merge lane is not).
Vol. 48, No. 122
Proposed center may bring 1,800 jobs with it Officials mum on any rumors of Amazon BY CURT YEOMANS curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com
A mysterious 2.5 million-square-foot distribution center with 1,800 jobs is being proposed near Stone Mountain in southwestern Gwinnett, but local officials won’t say if rumors are true that e-commerce heavyweight Amazon is behind it. The question can be asked, but the answer won’t be too different from asking a Magic 8-Ball a question, only to get “ask again later” as a response. The fear from officials is that talking too much about the project, which would be located in the Evermore Community Improvement District, could cause whatever company is behind it to pull out. There are no confirmations that the project could be an Amazon fulfillment center, but no denials are being issued, either. The only indication of what may go on the site is that the proposed site plan shows a building described as a multi-story “proposed distribution center.” “We don’t really get into the logistics of who it is and what they’re moving as far as product, and maybe down the road that is something that can be discussed, but at this time, it is a large company that will have a
See CENTER, Page 5A
Gwinnett County Health and Human Services Director Pat Baker laughs at a joke told during her retirement party at the Lawrenceville Senior Center Friday. Baker held the position for 10 years. (Staff Photo: Curt Yeomans)
Baker retires as head of county HHS BY CURT YEOMANS curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com
As Ellen Gerstein stood in front of the crowd at Gwinnett County Health and Human Services Division Director Pat Baker’s retirement party, she thought back 10 years and recalled Baker’s interview for the position. One MORE ONLINE thing that Visit gwinnettdailypost.com stood for a photo gallery. out to Gerstein, executive director of the separate Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, was Baker’s familiarity with the job before she even had it. Baker had done her research on the position and applied that knowledge as she answered the interview panel’s questions, she said. “We all knew she was the one for the job, and I think we made a great decision,” Gerstein said. “Pat’s predecessor, Cathy Kimbrel, and I worked together for a long time and it was very difficult to think about who was going to replace Cathy. Cathy, like Pat, was a very dynamic leader in this community, an advocate for seniors and others who are also neglected in the community.
See BAKER, Page 5A
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