Troopers make 132 stops first day of Hands-Free Law

State troopers made over a 100 stops enforcing Georgia’s new hands-free driving law this past Sunday, the first day the law was in effect.

According to a report from Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Tracey Watson, the State Patrol issued 98 warnings and 34 citations across Georgia.

Colonel Mark W. McDonough is the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

McDonough says there is no 90-day grace period in the law, which means drivers who are caught with a phone in their hand or any part of their body run the risk of getting a citation.

“We want folks to be safe on the roadway,” McDonough said. “You can expect us to very compassionately to start enforcing the law,” McDonough said. “We want to change behavior and we will do that over the next 90 days. That won’t mean our folks may not write a citation because if you obviously don’t get it or you obviously don’t want to get it or you have caused an accident you can expect an enforcement action because that is next level to change your behavior.”

Georgia’s Hands-Free Law will only allow drivers to talk on their phones without having it in their hands or supported by their body.

According to Watson, one motorist was stopped for holding their phone while using GPS and another for texting.

In an effort to reduce traffic fatalities on Georgia roadways, the law is intended to encourage drivers to focus on the roadway rather than distractions inside their vehicle.

Violating the Hands-Free Law, the first time will warrant a $50 fine and one point off a license; a second offense carries a $100 fine and two points off a license; and a third offense carries a $150 fine and three points off a license.