Governor Signs Texting Bills

Governor Sonny Perdue today (June 4) signed House Bill 23.  The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Matt Ramsey, makes it illegal for anyone under 18 to use a cell phone while driving.

“We need to do everything possible to focus young drivers on the road ahead,” said Governor Perdue regarding HB 23. “I want to thank Rep. Ramsey for working hard on this bill.”

The Governor also signed Senate Bill 360 sponsored by Sen. Jack Murphy, which makes it illegal for all drivers to text while driving.  Before signing the legislation the Governor expressed his continued concern with some provisions of the bill, but said he agreed to sign with the assurance that the bill sponsors were committed to addressing his concerns in legislation next year.

“Because of the sponsors’ assurances, I have decided to sign SB 360,” said Governor Perdue.  “I hope that we will all commit to driving safely, free of distraction.”

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Georgia Burn Ban Ends Sept 30

Georgia’s annual air quality ban on outdoor burning, mostly in the northern half of Georgia, will end at midnight on September 30, 2009. The annual restrictions have been in place since May 1st in 54 counties statewide. Burn permits can be obtained from the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) beginning October 1st.

“The Georgia Environmental Protection Division puts this ban in place to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations,” said Alan Dozier, Chief of Forest Protection for the Georgia Forestry Commission. “Ozone levels increase to unhealthy levels in summer,” he said. “Most types of open burning are restricted during the ban in an effort to manage the summertime surge in ozone levels.”

The following counties are affected by the 2009 burn ban: Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Haralson, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Richmond, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walker, and Walton.

The outdoor burning ban is under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Environmental Protection Division (EPD), Air Protection Branch.
The GFC operates an on-line burn permit system at 1-877-OK2-BURN. The phone system informs callers by county whether or not they can burn, depending on specific conditions in their area. Residents may also call their county GFC office for more information or visit GaTrees.org.
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Dog Tethering Prohibited in Fulton County Beginning September 4

Residents who chain or tether dogs to fixed objects while they are unattended must find an alternative means of restraining their pets beginning September 4, 2009. In March, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to ban the practice of chaining or tethering dogs. District 2, At-Large Commissioner Robb Pitts sponsored the resolution.

The introduction of the amendment attracted dozens of animal advocates who supported the ban. According to the Humane Society, “A dog kept chained in one spot for hours, days, months or even years suffers immense psychological damage. An otherwise friendly and docile dog, when kept continuously chained, becomes neurotic unhappy, anxious and often aggressive.”

Additionally, the Humane Society warns that tethering is dangerous to dogs because they become targets for other animals, humans and biting insects. Tethers can become entangled with other objects, which can choke or strangle dogs. Tethers can also cause dogs necks to become raw and covered with sores because of poorly fitted collars along with the animal straining against the collar in constant attempts to escape Collars can also become embedded in a dog’s neck without proper care and fitting.

Under the amended ordinance, dogs cannot be tethered to a fixed object unless held by an attendant or by the owner.

Options for properly restraining dogs include dog runs, mesh fencing and chain link fences. Chain link fences are stronger and more durable; however, residents of cities and unincorporated areas within Fulton are urged to check with their local governments for any required fencing permits and homeowners associations to determine the appropriate types of fencing before purchasing fencing or fence construction supplies.

For additional suggestions or supplies, owners should visit their local hardware or home improvement stores. Additionally, Barking Hound Village , the County’s Animal Services provider, has instructions for constructing appropriate fencing. Call 404-794-0358 or visit www.bhvf.org.

For more information on the dog-tethering ban in Fulton County , contact the Department of Environment and Community Development’s Code Enforcement Division at 404-612-2723.

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State Highway Safety Officials: Hang Up and Drive

GFP Note: At this time, Georgia law only bans cell phone use by school bus drivers.

Should any driver be in an accident, the crash scene data includes whether a cell phone was in use at the time of the accident.

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Governors Highway Safety Association applauds the National Safety Council (NSC) for taking a strong stand against cell phone use while driving. The NSC has a long history of safety advocacy, and GHSA looks forward to working with the NSC to educate drivers on the dangers of distracted driving.

While the effectiveness of banning cell phone use is subject to debate, what is not debatable is that using ANY type of cell phone is distracting to drivers. Numerous studies have concluded that hands-free phone use does not mitigate crash risk. In a study released last year by Carnegie Mellon University, researcher Marcel Just stated that listening to a cell phone while driving can reduce by 37 percent the amount of brain activity associated with driving. This can cause drivers to weave out of their lane, based on the performance of subjects using a driving simulator. Just last month, another study from the University of Utah reaffirmed that hands-free phones are as distracting as handheld models.

While GHSA does not support a legislative ban on all cell phone use for all drivers, the Association continues to support a "no-use" message when it comes to cell phones and driving. GHSA specifically recommends that:

-- States ban all non-emergency cell phone use/text messaging for new
drivers as well as school bus drivers. Presently, only 17 state states
and the District of Columbia have enacted these laws.
-- States include a category for cell phone/electronic equipment
distraction on crash investigation forms. Currently, 29 states collect
this information.
-- The federal government funds a media campaign to alert the public to
the dangers of distracted driving. The federal government also should
continue funding research about distracted driving and examine the
effectiveness of laws and other countermeasures. The Association
appreciates the federal leadership on this issue.
-- The private sector takes a leadership role. As such, employers should
prohibit text messaging and the use of cell phones and other
electronic devices when driving except in emergency situations.

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