Attention Georgia Drivers: New Hands Free Driving Law effective July 1st

House Bill 673: Distracted Driving Legislation

(Important Changes to Georgia Law)

HB 673 would prohibit drivers from holding or supporting a wireless telecommunication device or a stand-alone electronic device while operating a vehicle. Additionally, this measure would maintain the ban on texting, emailing and internet browsing while driving, but would also ban watching or recording videos while driving. GPS navigation and voice-to-text features would still be permitted.

Drivers would not be allowed to:

Physically hold or support a wireless telecommunications device (i.e. mobile phone) or a stand-alone electronic device (i.e. iPad, iPod, Kindle, etc.) with any part of the body;
- Exceptions would be made for an earpiece, headphone device or telecommunications device worn on a wrist (i.e. smart watch).
Write, send or read any text-based communication, including but not limited to instant message, e-mail or internet data;
- Exceptions would be allowed for voice-to-text technology.
Watch a video or movie on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device;
Record or broadcast a video on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device;
- This would not apply to devices used for the sole purpose of continuously recording or broadcasting video within or outside of the motor vehicle (i.e. dash cams).

Drivers would be allowed to:

Use their phone for voice communication on a hands-free basis;
Touch their phone for dialing, receiving or ending a call as long as the driver is not holding or supporting the phone;
Use their phone for GPS navigation apps;
Use voice-to-text technology.

For more information from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia... Click Here

Auto Insurance Rates Going Up?

So are the numbers of vehicles on the road, distracted drivers and auto accidents - a few critical factors among many responsible for recent increases in your auto insurance premiums.

Sharing Your Vehicle

We are often asked by our customers if it is ok to let a friend borrow their car. “Is it covered?” I get asked. Yes it is covered, I respond, however you are responsible for their actions while they are in your car. You may be thinking that if you let someone borrow your car and they go out and commit a crime, you are not going to go to jail, and you are probably right. I am not talking about that kind of responsibility, I am referring to the kind that hits you where it hurts, your wallet.

This past year we had a customer who was selling their car to a family member. Before the sale of the car occurred, our customer allowed the family member to drive the car to the grocery store. While parking the car, the driver accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake, propelling the car into two other cars and striking a pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with a head injury and then air-lifted to another hospital where she underwent emergency surgery.

It's Harder Than It Looks

When we met with the amazing team at h2o creative group and told them our desire to partner with them to develop a new website for Turner & Associates, they were excited. When we told them what we wanted to do, how we wanted to do, who was going to do it, and that we would get it done in 90 days, they were skeptical, because they thought we were crazy! And apparently we were. 90 days came and we were nowhere near where we thought we should be. But 150 days after that initial meeting, here we are introducing our new website to the world! Or just Georgia....or just Glynn County, but that’s neither here nor there.