ATLANTA – State Representative John Carson (R-Marietta) recently introduced House Resolution 282, legislation that would create the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving.
“The number of overall automobile accidents has greatly increased over the past decade, with the number of fatal car accidents in Georgia rising at an alarming rate – nearly three times faster than the national rate,” said Rep. Carson. “This escalation in accidents and fatality crashes may be attributed to distracted driving, and especially cell phone use while driving This includes texting, Internet browsing, social media and streaming while operating a vehicle. It is estimated that as many as 80 percent of wireless services subscribers use their phones while driving. The Distracted Driving Study Committee is absolutely necessary in finding legislative solutions in order to prevent further distracted driving-related automobile accidents and fatalities.”
Under HR 282, the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving would study the conditions, needs, issues and problems involving distracted driving and would recommend any action or legislation the committee deems necessary or appropriate. Additionally, in the event that the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson would file a report prior to Dec. 1, 2017, the date upon which the study committee would be abolished.
“Working with law enforcement and legislative leaders like Representative Carson, AT&T’s It Can Wait campaign has emphasized that no text, tweet or social media post is worth a life, and in recent years, more than 14 million people have pledged not to text and drive,” said Bill Leahy, president of AT&T Georgia. “This is an important issue, and we appreciate Representative Carson’s efforts to continue this conversation in Georgia.”
“The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) thanks and applauds Representative Carson for initiating this much-needed study committee,” said Medical Association of Georgia President Steven M. Walsh, M.D. “Distracted driving has been one of MAG’s patient safety priorities during this year’s legislative session, it’s an issue that clearly warrants additional attention, and we look forward to participating in the study committee.”
The study committee would consist of ten members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, including a committee chairperson also appointed by the Speaker of the House responsible for calling all committee meetings. The committee would be permitted to conduct meetings at places and times deemed necessary or convenient to fully and effectively exercise its powers, perform its duties and accomplish its objectives and purposes.
For more information on HR 282, please click here.
Representative John Carson represents the citizens of District 46, which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2011, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman on the Appropriations, Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications, and Intragovernmental Coordination committees, and Secretary on the Insurance Committee. He also serves on the Transportation and Ways & Means committees and is a member of the Military Affairs working group.
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