Handling a phone while driving isn’t safe or legal. Georgia state statutes prohibit manually handling a phone to text, make or answer a call or scroll through social media.
However, many drivers assume that they can sidestep laws regarding texting while driving. They might only handle their phones at intersections. They might use talk-to-text software as a means of staying connected without technically breaking the law. While those solutions may seem reasonable, they are actually not as safe as drivers might think.
Distraction lingers after technology use
Technically, using hands-free systems to compose text messages or emails while driving may not break the law. However, choosing to handle a phone while stopped at an intersection could constitute a traffic violation, even if the driver never moves the vehicle with their phone in their hands.
It’s important to know, however, that researchers looking into how technology affects driving safety have found alarming details. Both drivers who use talk-to-text software or manually handle their phones experience distraction even after they stop their device use. Researchers estimate that the lingering distraction can affect driver performance for up to 27 seconds after they stop using technology.
They could remain so distracted that they travel significant distances without properly monitoring their surroundings. If a driver who is at fault for a crash used their mobile phone or built-in talk-to-text systems in their vehicle before a collision, they may ultimately be liable for the crash that they caused.
People injured in distracted driving collisions may have grounds for an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Getting experienced legal guidance to determine what caused a crash and the costs it generated can help people demand accountability after a crash.