Crime & Safety

Don't Text and Drive in Gwinnett – Even When Stopped at a Traffic Light

It could cost you $150.

A Loganville resident recently found out that it could cost you $150 to read a Facebook post on your phone, even if you are stopped at a traffic light.

“Today's PSA...Even if you are stopped at a red light and read a text message Gwinnett Co will charge you $150.00,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

It turns out that texting is considered a “primary” traffic law in Georgia, which, according to www.drivinglaws.org/georgia.php, means that an officer can pull you over for the offense without having to witness some other violation. 

Find out what's happening in Loganville-Graysonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the resident, she was parked at a traffic light when she checked a Facebook post. The officer, who was on a motorcycle, pulled up next to her, witnessed her reading the post and subsequently wrote up a citation. On checking with the courts, she found she is on the hook for that $150 fine.

According to Georgia’s texting laws, all drivers are prohibited from texting while driving. This includes using a cell phone, text messaging device, personal digital assistant (PDA), computer, or similar wireless device to write, send, or read text data while driving. The ban applies to text messages, instant messages (IM), email, and Internet data. The law creates exceptions for emergency personnel, drivers responding to emergencies, and drivers who are fully parked.

Find out what's happening in Loganville-Graysonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stopped at a traffic light obviously does not constitute "fully parked."

 

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Loganville-Grayson