Bill Text: GA SR654 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Georgia Senate Resolution 654 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Legislative Solutions for the Safe Use of Cellular Telephones In Motor Vehicles; create Senate Study Committee

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-04-01 - Senate Passed/Adopted [SR654 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-SR654-Enrolled.html

09 LC 35 1419

Senate Resolution 654

By: Senators Tate of the 38th, Mullis of the 53rd, Butler of the 55th, Fort of the 39th, Grant of the 25th and others

ADOPTED SENATE

A RESOLUTION

Creating the Senate Study Committee on Legislative Solutions for the Safe Use of Cellular Telephones In Motor Vehicles; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, studies show that motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death in North America and the single most frequent cause of death among children and young adults, and such accidents account for one fatality every ten minutes; and

WHEREAS, the various causes of motor vehicle collisions are complicated, but experts agree that error due to driver distraction contributes to over 90 percent of such events; and

WHEREAS, studies have shown that the use of cellular telephones in motor vehicles increases the risk of a serious accident four times above the normal risk during the time of a call and this risk is even higher with a young, inexperienced driver; and

WHEREAS, this relative risk is similar to the hazard associated with driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit; and

WHEREAS, while cellular telephones provide a vital link to sources of help in emergency situations and are relied upon by Georgia residents for important communication needs, unrestricted operation of a motor vehicle on the public roadways while using a cellular telephone threatens public safety and the lives of all those driving on Georgia's roads; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive study of the available evidence concerning the use of cellular telephones while driving as well as the solutions found in other states and countries for increasing public safety while preserving the needs of cellular telephone users is required in order to develop the best possible legislative solution for Georgians.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study Committee on Legislative Solutions for the Safe Use of Cellular Telephones In Motor Vehicles to be composed of five members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall designate a member of the committee to serve as chairperson, and the chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees but shall receive the same for not more than five days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 31, 2009. The committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2009.