[mimosaflower]

From Channel 2 news:

VILLA RICA, Ga. —

Villa Rica has banned driving and talking on a cellphone without a hands-free device.

The Carroll County city passed the ordinance Tuesday, making it the first city in the state to pass such a law. Police Chief Michael Mansour said he's already getting the word out.

"The violation for it is $75. It's a city ordinance, so it doesn't count on your driver's license or insurance or anything like that," Mansour said.

[Revenoor]

Good for them and now if we can make this nation wide.

Really, no matter what YOU think, you are NOT that important, the world will not stop rotating if you don't talk or text while driving.

[Lady Raider]

http://www.wsbtv.com...ellphone/nNQmc/

I seen this on the news.... and it looks like they are starting out string with tickets..

[SOLO]

Good way for them to make bog bucks. Sneaky

[workingforaliving]

This is the first I've heard of this and I drive through VR twice a day. Figure they'll get the word out to the people or just give out tickets?

[TJB]

I thought this was a thread about meth labs.

[browndog]

workingforaliving, on 03 May 2012 - 08:16 PM, said:

This is the first I've heard of this and I drive through VR twice a day. Figure they'll get the word out to the people or just give out tickets?

Exactly my thoughts! Are they going to post signs on every road where you cross into the county so people who are "just passing thru" know their law is different than all other parts of the state?

[Caped Crusader]

mimosaflower, on 03 May 2012 - 05:34 PM, said:

From Channel 2 news:

VILLA RICA, Ga. —

Villa Rica has banned driving and talking on a cellphone without a hands-free device.

The Carroll County city passed the ordinance Tuesday, making it the first city in the state to pass such a law. Police Chief Michael Mansour said he's already getting the word out.

"The violation for it is $75. It's a city ordinance, so it doesn't count on your driver's license or insurance or anything like that," Mansour said.

I have tried in the past to have our county officials
be the 1st in Georgia to do this.

Good for VILLA RICA

[chainshaw1]

Unless they post this law at the city limits, it is nothing more than a visitor tax. How can you know that you are breaking the law if it is different in each city and town?

[janko9]

chainshaw1, on 04 May 2012 - 07:48 AM, said:

Unless they post this law at the city limits, it is nothing more than a visitor tax. How can you know that you are breaking the law if it is different in each city and town?

Thats where I get lost on this. My Bro Inlaw is LE elsewhere where it is ILLEGAL to talk on a cell phone while driving. However, the police can do NOTHING b/c it requires a certain type of warrant to cite anyone they see on one. Same goes for a wreck involving a cell phone. The person at fault cannot and will not be charged for talking on cell phone even though it is illegal. This does not make sense to me if it is illegal.

[Jeanne O'Halleran Law]

janko9, on 04 May 2012 - 08:00 AM, said:

Thats where I get lost on this. My Bro Inlaw is LE elsewhere where it is ILLEGAL to talk on a cell phone while driving. However, the police can do NOTHING b/c it requires a certain type of warrant to cite anyone they see on one. Same goes for a wreck involving a cell phone. The person at fault cannot and will not be charged for talking on cell phone even though it is illegal. This does not make sense to me if it is illegal.

The problem with these types of laws is proving that the driver was using the phone. It's not illegal to hold a phone up to your ear, and without the phone records, the police can't prove that the person was actually using the phone to make a phone call. But, seeing a driver with a phone up to his ear is enough probable cause to issue a ticket, and most people are going to just pay it, which means big bucks for the city. Not to mention, it now gives officers another visual clue to use to pull someone over, which can lead to all sorts of other charges.

Once the money starts rolling in, I think we'll start seeing a lot more towns and counties do the same thing.

[Riptides]

I thought there was already a deal with the state patrol here in GA and cellphone use on the interstate?

Because I heard the same thing, using it or not, if they see you looking at (or holding) your phone while you are driving it's a ticket.

This post has been edited by Riptides: 04 May 2012 - 09:34 AM

[LisaC]

I'm truly hoping the Mayor of Villa Rica doesn't veto this. Using a cell phone for talking, texting or anything else while you are driving is a distraction and I applaud the city of Villa Rica for taking a stand. I'm hoping several other cities and counties will jump on the bandwagon and do the same!

[Marteen-J]

Jeanne O, on 04 May 2012 - 09:17 AM, said:

The problem with these types of laws is proving that the driver was using the phone. It's not illegal to hold a phone up to your ear, and without the phone records, the police can't prove that the person was actually using the phone to make a phone call. But, seeing a driver with a phone up to his ear is enough probable cause to issue a ticket, and most people are going to just pay it, which means big bucks for the city. Not to mention, it now gives officers another visual clue to use to pull someone over, which can lead to all sorts of other charges.

Once the money starts rolling in, I think we'll start seeing a lot more towns and counties do the same thing.

you are correct, but depending on how the law is written in each jurisdiction, what if you are checking the voice mail?

or, by putting in your password, are you then considered texting too?

Riptides, on 04 May 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:

I thought there was already a deal with the state patrol here in GA and cellphone use on the interstate?

Because I heard the same thing, using it or not, if they see you looking at (or holding) your phone while you are driving it's a ticket.

not sure about the state patrol and any deals, but villa rica patrols I-20 too looking for tourists and other sources for revenue.

[Bones]

Police making money off people too stupid to use common sense. Good idea.

[Mrs G]

GOOD FOR THEM!!!!!! PEOPLE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING!!!