By Dana J. Hortman
ATHENS, Ga.,-- Watch out Athens drivers, cell phone restrictions are sweeping the nation, again.
With the latest restrictions going into effect in Texas on Sep. 1, many states, including Georgia, are cracking down on cell phone usage while driving.
A recent study done by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that light vehicle drivers talking or listening on a cell phone are at a 1.3 times greater risk of crashing than a non-distracted driver.
In addition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the data are insufficient to quantify crashes caused by cell phone use specifically, but estimates that driver distraction from all sources contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.
Georgia has a law, House Bill 612 that prohibits the use of a cellular phone and other communication devices by a school bus driver.
There is only one other Georgia law on types of distractions, which includes cell phones, that causes automobile accidents.
“If a person involved in an accident was distracted by anything, cell phone, loud music, they’d be charged with a misdemeanor offense,” said police Lt. David Coker, head of Traffic Division with the Athens Clarke County Police Department.
Besides these two restrictions, no other state law on cell phone usage while driving exists.
However, House Bill 23 could change that for Georgia, which will affect Athens drivers if passed.
The bill prohibits the use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons under 18 years of age with an instruction permit or Class D license while operating a motor vehicle.
It also details the penalties for these violations such as taking points off of driver’s licenses and possible suspension.
“I voted in favor of House Bill 23 because there are some classes of drivers, obviously, who need these provisions such as ones with learner’s permits,” said state Rep. Doug McKillip, D-Athens. “But, it should not be limited for other drivers.”
Earlier this year, the Georgia House of Representatives voted and passed House Bill 23 on to the Senate.
Though the bill places cell phone restrictions only for younger drivers, many are concerned with the general population and safety issues.
“I think banning cell phones, in general, is a good thing,” said Chelsea Colgan, a junior marketing major from Statesboro, Ga. “I’ve read that most car wrecks are caused by this. They need the restrictions for safety purposes. Is it convenient? No, but it’s safer,” Colgan said.
Aaron Paul, sophomore and president of the Student Government Association at Gainesville State College Oconee campus in Watkinsville, Ga., said, “The ban would make the roads much safer for everyone. Also, it would not have many implications for the social lives of people either. The call can wait until you are at your destination.”
Six states including Calif., Conn., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash., the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while driving.
Other states, like Texas, only forbid cell phone use by certain segments of the population, such as the younger drivers 18 years of age and under.
In addition to the law banning drivers under the age of 18 and younger, the new Texas state law passed last week bans cell phone usage in school zones during enforceable hours unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used.
As of March 26, 2009, the Georgia Senate read House Bill 23 for a second time and is awaiting further review. The next Senate session begins January of 2010.
To learn more about House Bill 23 and other Georgia state house bill proposals regarding the usage of cell phones, log on to the official Georgia General Assembly website: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/.
ATHENS, Ga.,-- Watch out Athens drivers, cell phone restrictions are sweeping the nation, again.
With the latest restrictions going into effect in Texas on Sep. 1, many states, including Georgia, are cracking down on cell phone usage while driving.
A recent study done by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that light vehicle drivers talking or listening on a cell phone are at a 1.3 times greater risk of crashing than a non-distracted driver.
In addition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the data are insufficient to quantify crashes caused by cell phone use specifically, but estimates that driver distraction from all sources contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.
Georgia has a law, House Bill 612 that prohibits the use of a cellular phone and other communication devices by a school bus driver.
There is only one other Georgia law on types of distractions, which includes cell phones, that causes automobile accidents.
“If a person involved in an accident was distracted by anything, cell phone, loud music, they’d be charged with a misdemeanor offense,” said police Lt. David Coker, head of Traffic Division with the Athens Clarke County Police Department.
Besides these two restrictions, no other state law on cell phone usage while driving exists.
However, House Bill 23 could change that for Georgia, which will affect Athens drivers if passed.
The bill prohibits the use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons under 18 years of age with an instruction permit or Class D license while operating a motor vehicle.
It also details the penalties for these violations such as taking points off of driver’s licenses and possible suspension.
“I voted in favor of House Bill 23 because there are some classes of drivers, obviously, who need these provisions such as ones with learner’s permits,” said state Rep. Doug McKillip, D-Athens. “But, it should not be limited for other drivers.”
Earlier this year, the Georgia House of Representatives voted and passed House Bill 23 on to the Senate.
Though the bill places cell phone restrictions only for younger drivers, many are concerned with the general population and safety issues.
“I think banning cell phones, in general, is a good thing,” said Chelsea Colgan, a junior marketing major from Statesboro, Ga. “I’ve read that most car wrecks are caused by this. They need the restrictions for safety purposes. Is it convenient? No, but it’s safer,” Colgan said.
Aaron Paul, sophomore and president of the Student Government Association at Gainesville State College Oconee campus in Watkinsville, Ga., said, “The ban would make the roads much safer for everyone. Also, it would not have many implications for the social lives of people either. The call can wait until you are at your destination.”
Six states including Calif., Conn., N.J., N.Y., Ore. and Wash., the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while driving.
Other states, like Texas, only forbid cell phone use by certain segments of the population, such as the younger drivers 18 years of age and under.
In addition to the law banning drivers under the age of 18 and younger, the new Texas state law passed last week bans cell phone usage in school zones during enforceable hours unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used.
As of March 26, 2009, the Georgia Senate read House Bill 23 for a second time and is awaiting further review. The next Senate session begins January of 2010.
To learn more about House Bill 23 and other Georgia state house bill proposals regarding the usage of cell phones, log on to the official Georgia General Assembly website: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/.
Dana is a very detail-oriented writer. She loves to use flowery language and write more feature-type stories. Because of this, she said that this assignment was difficult for her. She begins her articles with writing the lede (which she later reworks and perfects), because it gives her focus the for her article. She also takes lots and lots of notes. Her favorite part about doing research for an article is looking up statistics and legislation related to the subject, and the hardest part for her is making a story local and getting in touch with sources.
ReplyDeleteOverall Dana's story was very good. She had plenty of good information and statisitics from reliable sources. We changed the order of things a little and restructured the article to help it flow better. We also reworked some sentences and paragraphs to make them more concise and less wordy. We also decided not to refer to House Bills with their offical number, but instead use the title of the bill or refer to it as the "proposed bill." For her new source, Dana will interview a driver under the age of 18, since that is who the proposed bill will be affecting.