ATLANTA— Last week state Representative Allen Peake (R-Bibb County) introduced House Bill 938, legislation that prohibits texting while driving. Under the legislation anyone found guilty of writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication on a wireless telecommunications device would be issued a fine of $50 to $100 and have a two point penalty added to their drivers’ license.
“Texting while driving is a rising problem among teenagers and adults and a leading cause of traffic accidents,” said Representative Peake. “When someone texts while driving they are endangering their own lives, as well as all other drivers and pedestrians they may pass. This legislation will save lives.”
If implemented, House Bill 938 would make Georgia the 20th state to prohibit text messaging while driving. Other states with similar bans include Arkansas, California, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Washington, DC has also banned texting while driving.
An Auto Club study in the state of California found that the state’s ban reduced the act of text messaging while driving by 70 percent. Although it is difficult to determine a true number of crashes attributed to text messaging, the Royal Automobile Club Foundation found that text messaging reduces steering control by 91 percent. Public support for a ban is generally high, with one study finding that 97 percent of people agreed that text messaging while driving should not be legal.
Once passed, the act will go into effect on July 1, 2010. Other sponsors of the bill include Representatives Tom Rice (R-Norcross), Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City), Ed Lindsey (R-Atlanta), and Mark Williams (R-Jesup).
Representative Amos Amerson (R-Dahlonega) has introduced similar legislation that would also ban texting while driving.
For more information on HB 938 please visit: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/sum/hb938.htm. You can also contact Representative Peake at 478-361-4617.
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Representative Allen Peake represents the citizens of District 137, which includes portions of Bibb County. He currently serves on the Appropriations, Ways and Means, Banks and Banking, Education, and Children and Youth Committees. He also is a member of the Special Committee on Small Business Development and Jobs Creation.