Is Texting and Driving Illegal in Georgia?

Georgia Distracted Driving Law and a Driver’s Wireless or Stand-Alone Electronic Device

The short answer is yes — texting and driving is illegal. But what that means for your case is a bit more complicated.

Cell phone use behind the wheel is a form of distracted driving, and distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the United States. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, 56% of motor vehicle crashes involved a confirmed or suspected distracted driver in 2019.   

For example, texting while driving can take someone’s eyes off the road for five seconds. If the car is moving at 55 miles per hour, it will travel the length of a football field in that time. That’s plenty of time, space, and speed to make for a catastrophic accident.   

While drivers can be distracted by anything, from the controls on the dashboard to a billboard on the side of the road, electronic devices (often called a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device) are among the most dangerous—and also the easiest to avoid. Further, their use is easier for experts to investigate than many other distractions, thanks to electronic records.

What Does the Law Say?

According to Georgia distracted driving law, it is illegal to:

• Use one’s body to hold or support a cellphone, global positioning system receiver (GPS), or other electronic device used to search, send, or receive messages or internet data while operating a vehicle.
• Write, send, or receive text-based data, such as text messages, email, or instant messages, on a wireless or stand-alone electronic device while operating a vehicle.

Drivers may use hands-free devices while driving. This includes voice-operated technology using speaker features or earpieces.

These distracted driving rules apply to all Georgia drivers. Commercial drivers, such as those making deliveries or hauling cargo in a semi-truck, must follow additional restrictions:

• Voice communication technology may not use more than one button to start or end the call.
• The driver must be able to remain in a properly seated driving position and belted when accessing and operating any communication technology.

Distracted driving laws do not apply as usual when a driver is reporting an accident or other roadway emergency. They also don’t apply to police officers, firefighters, and other first responders performing official duties.