omg!: tn drvr txtng gtg?

Georgia lawmakers will soon consider a measure that would ban teenage drivers from texting and making calls on their cell phones while driving -- and suspend the licenses of violators found at fault in accidents.

Georgia would join 17 other states and the District of Columbia that have passed cell phone restrictions for teen drivers if legislators adopt the measure during the legislative session that begins in January.

The measure's Republican sponsors say it would help keep Georgia's rookie drivers safe from distractions that could lead to fatal accidents.

The House plan would ban motorists under the age of 18 from talking or texting while driving, except in the case of an emergency such as a life-threatening situation or a call reporting a road hazard.

Violators would be fined up to $175 for the first offense and up to $500 for a second one. Drivers found at fault in an accident while violating the law would have their licenses suspended for 90 days. Second offenders would lose their licenses for six months.

The bill could be expanded to include all drivers.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of transportation issues.

(AP)

Rep. Ben Harbin pleads guilty to reckless driving

State Rep. Ben Harbin was ordered to pay a $1,000
fine and perform 100 hours of community service after pleading
guilty to reckless driving.

Harbin, (R-Evans) was initially charged with driving under the
influence - also a misdemeanor - in May 2007. He was pulled over by
Atlanta police, who said the lawmaker slurred his words, had
trouble keeping his balance and smelled of alcohol after his 2003
Nissan Maxima hit a utility pole.

Harbin refused to take a blood-alcohol test at the time. He was
also charged with striking a fixed object and failure to maintain
lane, but those charges were dropped.

Harbin's attorney, Robert Highsmith, said Monday that he must
complete his community service within a year at any nonprofit
organization.

(The Associated Press)