FREE VOLUME 24 NUMBER 19
JUNE 30, 2018
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PUT THE PHONE DOWN Georgia goes ‘hands-free’ July 1
DeKalb offers citation amnesty program
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By Valerie J. Morgan
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here were a lot of questions and concerns about Georgia’s new hands-free law at the June 27 panel discussion hosted by State Rep. Doreen Carter, whose House District 92 includes parts of DeKalb and parts of Rockdale counties. Carter, in partnership with Pastor Eric Lee, Sr. of Springfield Baptist Church in Rockdale County, said she held the forum to inform the community about the new law, which becomes effective July 1. Carter served on Georgia’s Distracted Driving Committee. She conducted the panel discussion with State Rep. Pamela Stephenson, who is a defense attorney; DeKalb State Court Judge Ronald Ramsey; and Lt. Jake Coggins, training coordinator for the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office. The panel fielded questions from the audience, who posed various scenarios that might occur concerning cell phone usage under the new law: dialing while driving during an emergency(yes, but only in an emergency); What is considered a complete stop? Where you can legally pull over? What are the rules for listening to music and watching videos? Is videotaping allowed once stopped by law enforcement? Can you facetime while driving? While there are exceptions to some rules, Coggins summed up the intent of the new law in four words: “Put your phone down.” “You can live a 20-minute drive without it,” he said. “All we have to do is see you support that phone with a part of your body and we can cite you. If we see you supporting it on your shoulder, holding it in your hand, that is a violation.” Coggins said Rockdale County is giving a 30-day grace period to allow law enforcement officers to educate drivers on the new law, which carries 1 point on your driver’s license and a $50 fine for the first offense and goes up by 1 point on your license and $50 additional with each offense. Rep. Stephenson said the more drivers, particularly teens and young adults, are
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Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
R-L: Lt. Jake Coggins of the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office, State Court Judge Ronald Ramsey, State Rep. Pamela Stephenson, State Rep. Doreen Carter and Springfield Baptist Church’s Pastor Eric Lee, Sr. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
“HANDS FREE LAW”
• A driver cannot have a phone in their hand or use any part of their body to support their phone. Drivers can only use their phones to make or receive phone calls by using speakerphone, earpiece, wireless headphone, phone is connected to vehicle or an electronic watch. GPS navigation devices are allowed. •H eadsets and earpieces can only be worn for communication purposes and not for listening to music or other entertainment. • A driver may not send or read any text-based communication unless using voice-based communication that automatically converts message to a written text or is being used for navigation or GPS • A driver may not write, send or read any text messages, e-mails, social media or internet data content • A driver may not watch a video unless it is for navigation. • A driver may not record a video (continuously running dash cams are exempt) •M usic streaming apps can be used provided the driver activates and programs them when they are parked. Drivers cannot touch their phones to do anything to their music apps when they are on the road. Music streaming apps that include video also are not allowed since drivers cannot watch videos when on the road. Drivers can listen to and program music streaming apps that are connected to and controlled through their vehicle's radio. For more about the law, visit http://www.headsupgeorgia.com/handsfree-law/
educated, the less time they will spend in out of courtrooms and avoid costly fines, penalties and legal expenses. Judge Ramsey urged drivers to buy a dashboard device or some other holder for their cell phone. He said those who are stopped by law enforcement for a first offense should be able to produce their device and have their case dismissed, but he also added that each case is different and ultimately, a judge will determine how the statue applies on any given day. Ramsey said bottom line, though, is the new law has more teeth and lawmakers and law enforcement intend to
enforce the law. “They were not able to enforce the old texting and driving bill, which was known as “failure to use due care,” law, Ramsey said. “It was difficult to enforce. It was difficult to get convictions on. I could probably count on two hands the number of convictions that I’ve had on that statue in the last three years.” “Every driver in your house needs this information,” Springfield Baptist Church Pastor Eric Lee, Sr. View the video of the panel discussion at www.ocgnews.com.
he DeKalb County State Court Traffic Division is offering an amnesty program to individuals facing penalties for delinquent traffic tickets. This waives contempt fees for failure to appear in court for individuals facing penalties due to delinquent traffic tickets. The registration period for this program ends on July 9. “The goal of our citation amnesty program is to provide individuals with open or delinquent citations an opportunity to efficiently resolve their matters and restore their driving record,” said Presiding Judge Shondeana Morris. The program is available to any individual with citations issued from January 2010 to December 2017. Court sessions will be held weekdays at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The court is offering online signup at www.dekalbstatecourt.net/ Amnesty. The court will also allow signups for available sessions starting at 8:30 a.m. each day for the same service. Citizens can sign up for text/ email notifications for their assigned court date for amnesty at www. courtinnovations.com/GADCSC. Individuals who wish to clear penalties and warrants under this program are encouraged to sign up early. When the time-limited amnesty period ends, any remaining open cases and outstanding warrants will be rigorously enforced. For information on open citations or warrants issued by the DeKalb County State Court Traffic Division, pvisit www.dekalbstatecourt.net or call 404-294-2099. Motorists who have recently received a citation in DeKalb County can visit www.courtinnovations.com/ GADCSC to opt-in for text notices.
Senior Connections shuts down after 45 years in operation DeKalb County to take over serving its seniors
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By Valerie J. Morgan
enior Connections is shutting down after 45 years of delivering meals and other programs to senior citizens throughout metro Atlanta. DeKalb County officials say, however, the county government is contracting with vendors to ensure DeKalb seniors continue receiving services effective July 1. Open Hand Atlanta will manage congregate and home-delivered meals. Jo Jo Home Healthcare
Providers Inc. and Rem-Kits Health Care Services Inc., will handle in-home senior services. Rem-Kits Adult Day Care Services Inc. will handle adult day care and respite services. The county’s Department of Human Services Office of Aging will provide senior center management and case management services, county officials said. The plan announced is only for DeKalb seniors. Senior Connections, which has struggled in the last few years to
stay afloat, announced its operations would cease on June 30. Executives could not be reached to determine if other counties and municipalities are putting their own plans into place to serve seniors. Since 1973, Senior Connections has distributed thousands of meals each week, home repair, in-home care and neighborhood centers to help seniors “age in place” in the comfort of their own homes. “With increased competitive forces and reduced funding pressures, it has become increasingly difficult for an organization of our size to compete financially, while still providing the level of service needed to keep our clients healthy and safe,” Senior Connections Board Chair Deidra Williams told attendees at the agency’s Senior Prom Gala, which
was held on June 15 at the Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Center in Atlanta. Senior Connections said in a news release that the gala raised $133,000, which will be used to cover final Meals on Wheels deliveries. At the gala, Senior Connections honored CPA Walton C. Bryde, of Rhodes, Young, Black & Duncan CPA, and media conglomerate Cox Enterprises as recipients of the organization’s 2018 “Community Connections” Award, recognizing each as an outstanding leader who has given back significantly to Atlanta’s senior community. Local “soul line dancing” phenomenon Beulah Boys performed. The event also included dinner, the Platinum Band and both a live and silent auction.