Hands-free driving law applies to golf carts

Georgia’s new law requiring drivers to use only hands-free devices will apply to golf carts as well.

Peachtree City has issued a notice to residents stating that the law, which goes into effect July 1, specifies that drivers cannot hold a phone, tablet, or any other telecommunications device with their hands or other parts of their bodies, and cannot write, send, or read text or email messages, or watch or record videos, while driving. GPS devices are allowed as long as they are mounted on the vehicle and not held.

Regarding the provision that drivers must be properly parked when using devices, Lt. Brad Williams of the Peachtree City Police Department said, “We would consider ‘properly parked’ for purposes of the cart path to be pulled off the pavement of the path with the parking brake on. If you’re on a road in a cart, then park next to the curb.”