ATLANTA (June 4, 2010) – Caleb’s Law sponsored by Senator Jack Murphy (R-Cumming), chairman of the Public Safety committee, was signed into Georgia law today by Gov. Sonny Perdue. Caleb Law’s (SB 360) will prohibit the use of a mobile phone for writing, sending, or reading a text-based message while operating a motor vehicle.
“We have witnessed the devastation of texting while driving on Georgia highways and across the nation. Caleb’s Law will maintain safety on our roads and save the lives of many Georgians,” said Murphy. “I want to thank Gov. Perdue for signing this important legislation into law. This bill will have a positive impact on generations to come and I commend the governor and my fellow legislators for making public safety a top priority.”
Caleb’s Law amends Georgia code to make texting while driving illegal for anyone holding a Class C license. The bill is names in honor Caleb Sorohan, an 18-year-old from Dahlonega, who died nine days before Christmas after his car crossed the centerline of a rural Morgan County road and ran into a truck carrying horses. It was determined that texting while driving was the cause for the accident.
A conviction will result in a fine of up to $150 dollars. Likewise, a teenager who is charged twice with a texting while driving will be restricted to driving on a class D license for a period of one year.
Currently 30 other states have some form of legislation regarding distracted driving when using cell phones. As of March 2010 the practice of texting with a cell phone while driving was banned in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Texting, specifically by teens, was the subject of an August 2006 Teens Today survey conducted by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety and Students Against Destructive Decisions. The survey showed that teens considered sending text messages via cell phones to be their biggest distraction. Of the teens surveyed, 37 percent said that text messaging was extremely or very distracting, while 20 percent said that they were distracted by their emotional states and 19 percent said that having friends in the car was distracting.
Sen. Jack Murphy serves as the chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He represents the 27th Senate District, which includes portions of Cherokee and Forsyth counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.7127 or via e-mail at jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 4, 2010
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
raegan.weber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028