Georgia recently banned texting, a one form of distracted driving which has been responsible for many car accidents. The Senate and House also sent a bill to the Governor banning any use of cell phones while driving by 16-17 year old drivers. Distracted driving is a problem and the U.S. Department of Transportation has an entire website devoted to it.
Admittedly, these laws are important, but Georgia already had a law on the books that made it illegal to use a mobile device improperly while driving. Police officers frequently used this law when investigating accidents and cited drivers who were distracted by their cell phones and caused a car accident. The improper use of a mobile device and the new laws will carry a one point penalty in addition to fines.
The Georgia legislature is in session only 40 days a year and with all the other pressing concerns related to economic recovery in Georgia; it might have spent its time on issues that were not already addressed in the code. As you can imagine, several legislators took the opportunity to gain positive political press on the issue.
