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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which is a great reminder to be present behind the wheel and avoid all distractions. Remember your children are watching your every move and if they see you giving into driver distractions, they could pick up some bad habits when it’s their turn to take the wheel. Did you know that the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) reports 54% of all motor vehicle traffic crashes had at least one confirmed or suspected distracted driver?

Drive Alert, Arrive Alive

If you can’t devote your full attention to driving because of some other activity, it’s considered a distraction. This could be anything from eating, using a navigation system or radio. Instead of trying to attempt the risky distraction while driving, pull off the road and stop your vehicle in a safe place. A good idea, to avoid the temptation completely, is to power down or stow devices before heading out on the road.

 Hands Free Georgia

2 out of 3 confirmed distracted drivers involved in a crash were alone in their vehicle. It’s very tempting to pick up your phone when you’re alone in your car. That’s why Georgia put in place the Hands-Free Georgia Act in 2018. It’s all in an effort to limit the number of distracted drivers on the road. Many newer vehicles come equipped with hands free devices, but did you know that even hands-free technology can distract you from the roadway? Here's what the Hands-Free Law says:

• Drivers can’t have a phone in their hand or touching any part of their body while talking on their phone while driving. 
• Even with hands-free technology, drivers can’t write, read, or send text messages, emails post to social media pages while on the road. (voice to text is allowed)
• Drivers can’t watch videos when they’re on the road (Navigation or GPS videos are allowed)
• Drivers can’t use their phones or electronic devices to record video while driving. (dashcams that continuously run are okay to use)
• You can listen to streaming music that does not include videos on the screen on your phone while driving but can’t touch your phone while on the road to activate or program the streaming app. (Streaming music that is controlled by and listened through your vehicle’s radio is allowed.)

We hope you’ll join us this month and every month as we strive to eliminate distractions behind the wheel. Please don’t drive distracted. 

Content provided by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety