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Distracted driving bill gets big endorsement

A hands-free bill being considered this legislative session picks up a big endorsement.

Chris Riley, Chief of Staff for Gov. Nathan Deal, testified before a House subcommittee Monday in favor of the bill that would prohibit drivers from holding their phones while at the wheel. He was nearly hit while biking this summer.

“The driver unfortunately had a cell phone in front of them and they were looking at the cell phone versus the road and eased on my side of the road,” he says. “I had a choice to make to so I was forced off the road.”

Riley says he flipped over the handle bars and broke his collarbone.

He says he as well as the governor support efforts to increase enforcement of the law.

“I would like to see it personally pass and, on behalf of Gov. Deal, I think it’s something the state of Georgia would like to see for an enforcement mechanism for our law enforcement,” he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta), says changes have been made to the bill to allow for drivers to use GPS and dial a number. Voice-to-text would also be allowed but drivers would not be able to type a text or use the internet.

“It will need to be in a hands-free accessory, on your console, or on the seat of your car, but you cannot be holding it. That is the whole distraction for drivers,” he says.

Carson says the bill will continue to undergo changes until he’s comfortable enough to bring it before the full House Judiciary Committee and then onto the full the House for a vote.

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