As the state's traffic crashes becamemore frequent and severe, law enforcement efforts were"unenforceable" because they couldn't determine whether a driving"is texting or simply dialing a telephone number." (Photo:Shutterstock)

Distracted driving is a pervasive problem throughout the UnitedStates, and various states have enacted their own measuresto tackle the issue. In Georgia, where fatal crashes increasedat three times the national average, the Hands-FreeGeorgia Act was signed in 2018 by then-Gov. Nathan Deal to curbdistracted driving.

After going into effect on July 1, 2018, thelaw virtually closed all loopholes and prohibited anycellphone use in a driver's hand. Even with hands-free technology,"drivers cannot write, read or send text messages, emails, socialmedia content and other internet data while on the road."

As a result, the annual fatality trend on Georgia's roadways in2019 currently sits at 348, down from 1,514 in2018, according to the Georgia Department ofTransportation.

Related: Top 10 U.S. cities for distracted driving in2018

The big picture

Before the Hands-Free Georgia Act went into effect, the GeorgiaHouse of Representatives created the House Study Committeeon Distracted Driving. The committee found that increases intraffic crashes caused the state's auto insurance premium rates toincrease from 2012 to 2016. According to the NationalAssociation of Insurance Commissioners, Georgia had the highestaverage increase in auto insurance premiums in 2016, leading thenation at 12.2%.

(Photo: House Study Committee on DistractedDriving)

Driver behavior factors into auto insurancerates and premiums. While this isn't the first time the Peach Statehas issued a law to limit distracted driving, drivers are followingthe law much more closely this time around. An analysis by TrueMotion of over21,000 drivers in Georgia — three months before and fourmonths after the law began — revealed just how the law hasaltered driver behavior.

TrueMotion found that in the three months leading up to the newlaw, drivers in Georgia were texting and using apps 19.5% of theirtime behind the wheel. But after the law went into effect,distracted driving fell to 15.4% of total drivingtime, a 21% decrease.

Related: Volvo wants its cars to slow or stop drunk anddangerous drivers

Law enforcement gets a boost

As the state's traffic crashes became more frequent and severe,law enforcement efforts were "unenforceable" because they couldn'tdetermine whether a driving "is texting or simply dialing atelephone number."

A key finding from the committee's study stated: "Our textinglaws are ineffective. For example, there were more Georgia trafficfatalities per [vehicle miles traveled] in 2016 than before our2010 texting law."

With the law in its current format, law enforcement will likelyhave an easier time issuing penalties. Each time a driveris stopped for illegal use of their cellphone, they will be finedat higher amounts and receive an increasing number of points ontheir license.

As pervasive as distracted driving is, Georgia's law highlightsone way it can be curbed. But the problem remains an elusive oneacross the country, so states must consider all optionsif there is ever to be a day where roadways in the UnitedStates are free of distracted drivers.

Related: 10 ways cellphones dangerously distractdrivers