Q: During the current legislative session, were there any proposed bills banning handheld cell phone usage while driving. If so, by whom?
—Ken Hutchings, Woodstock
A: A group of Democratic lawmakers from metro Atlanta districts filed House Bill 10, which would have required drivers use only hands-free telephones while behind the wheel.
A driver could hold a phone to read a number or initiate a call, but holding a phone to your ear with your hand or shoulder while driving would be punishable by a $150 fine. Anyone reporting a crime or an emergency would be exempt.
The bill made it past a first and second reading in the House, but ended there.
Sponsors included Rahn Mayo of Decatur; Margaret D. Kaiser, Keisha Waites and Sheila Jones of Atlanta; and Karla Drenner and Earnest “Coach” Williams of Avondale Estates.
Q: A recent AJC article stated that 70 percent of Georgia inmates don’t have high school diplomas. Can you tell me how many prisoners have Ph.D.s? Do the prisoners with Ph.D.s receive special housing or treatment?
—Don White, Atlanta
A: Of 53,389 inmates, 25 had Ph.D.s, as of May 1, the Georgia Department of Corrections told Q&A on the News in an email.
Twenty-one of those are male and four are female, Mark E. Guzzi, the deputy director of Planning and Strategic Management, wrote.
“GDC does not provide inmates with Ph.D.s with any type of special treatment or housing based on their educational achievements,” he wrote.
Twenty-seven inmates – 22 men and five women – have law degrees, and 11 – 10 men and one woman – have medical degrees.
Andy Johnston wrote this column; Allison Floyd contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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