{"607168":{"#nid":"607168","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Hands-Free Georgia Act Set to Become Law","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EOn May 2, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed the Hands-Free Georgia Act implementing stricter rules on the use of technology while driving. Taking effect July 1, the Hands-Free Georgia Act will make it illegal to do any of the following while operating a vehicle:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003Ehold a wireless telecommunication device, such as a cell phone or personal computer\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003Ewrite, send, or read any text messages, emails, or internet data\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003Ewatch videos or movies\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003Erecord or broadcast video\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe new law will still allow using a global positioning system (GPS) device, as well as sending and receiving calls and messages via hands-free operating systems. The purpose of the Hands-Free Georgia Act is to attempt to reduce the number of deaths occurring on Georgia roadways, which rose to a historic high of 1,550 fatalities last year.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBased on the definition of a highway in the law\u0026rsquo;s provisions, the Hands-Free Georgia Act also applies to Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s roadways. All students, faculty, and staff on campus must abide by this law while on campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe penalties for violating the Hands-Free Georgia Act are an initial fine of $50 with fines of $100 and $150 for subsequent violations.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Prohibiting the use of technology while driving both on and off campus will greatly reduce the number of accidents caused by distracted driving,\u0026rdquo; said GTPD Police Chief Rob Connolly. \u0026shy; \u0026ldquo;It\u0026rsquo;s important for our community to take note before the law goes into effect and we begin enforcing the new regulations.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to staying safe while operating a vehicle, GTPD reminds the campus community to focus on security by reporting any criminal incidents by calling\u0026nbsp;404-894-2500\u0026nbsp;or by emailing\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:crimetips@police.gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecrimetips@police.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E. GTPD also offers the following safety reminders:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EWalk in well-lit areas. To report inoperative exterior campus lighting, visit:\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.facilities.gatech.edu\/om\/requests\/lighting.php\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.facilities.gatech.edu\/om\/requests\/lighting.php\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EWalk with a friend or in a group.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EBe aware\u0026nbsp;of your surroundings.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EImmediately report suspicious\u0026nbsp;activity to the Georgia Tech Police by calling\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022tel:404-894-2500\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E404-894-2500\u003C\/a\u003E. Program GTPD\u0026#39;s number into your cell phone.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EFor on-campus transportation from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., please call the Stingerette at 404-385-RIDE.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003ESafety\u0026nbsp;escorts are available through the Georgia Tech Police Department by calling\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022tel:404-894-2500\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E404-894-2500\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;or 4-GTPD.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003EDownload the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/livesafe.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELiveSafe\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;safety\u0026nbsp;app for quick access to the Georgia Tech Police Department and other\u0026nbsp;safety\u0026nbsp;resources.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EHistoric number of highway fatalities in 2017 drove legislature to act on distracted driving.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"New state law will be enforced on the Georgia Tech campus."}],"uid":"28797","created_gmt":"2018-06-19 15:28:46","changed_gmt":"2018-06-19 15:28:46","author":"Lance Wallace","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2018-06-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2018-06-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"607158":{"id":"607158","type":"image","title":"Distracted Driving Law","body":null,"created":"1529415949","gmt_created":"2018-06-19 13:45:49","changed":"1529415949","gmt_changed":"2018-06-19 13:45:49","alt":"","file":{"fid":"231592","name":"distracteddrivinglaw.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/distracteddrivinglaw.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/distracteddrivinglaw.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":490556,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/distracteddrivinglaw.jpg?itok=w-jsRIr5"}}},"media_ids":["607158"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.legis.ga.gov\/legislation\/en-US\/Display\/20172018\/HB\/673","title":"Hands-Free Georgia Law"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.police.gatech.edu","title":"Georgia Tech Police Department"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1303","name":"GT Police Department"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2543","name":"GTPD"},{"id":"3390","name":"Georgia Tech Police Department"},{"id":"36361","name":"distracted"},{"id":"8747","name":"driving"},{"id":"178369","name":"Hands-Free"},{"id":"4121","name":"law"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003Elance.wallace@comm.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["lance.wallace@comm.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}