ATLANTA,None — Gov. Sonny Perdue signed two bills Friday afternoon, including a law that banned texting while driving. The laws go into effect July 1.
The decision came just two days after the governor told Channel 2 Action News he had concerns about how police would enforce a ban on texting while driving.
The second law made it illegal for anyone under 18-years-old to text or talk on a cell phone while driving. Under the bill, the driver's license of any teen that causes an accident while using a cell phone to talk or text would be suspended for 90 days, or until the offender turns 18 for a first offense.
The texting bill is named after Caleb Sorohan, a freshman at North Georgia College and State University, who died instantly in a crash. Investigators said he was texting behind the wheel.
Violators of the texting ban would face a $150 fine and one point against their driver's license.
Legislators promised to amend the law next year to address concerns about enforcement, according to Channel 2's Tom Regan.