Alabama residents who drive in Georgia from time-to-time need to remember that the new hands-free cell phone law went into effect July 1st and law enforcement officials are writing plenty of warnings and in some cases, citations – with the time for saying “I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” pretty much coming to an end.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, State Troopers with the Georgia Department of Public Safety have written more than 1,000 formal warnings and issued 320 citations; 86 citations have been written by the Atlanta Police Department and that’s just a small sample as other state and local agencies have yet to release their numbers.

Georgia’s law makes it illegal for driver’s to have a phone in their hand, or to use any part of their body to support a phone.  Drivers can only use their phones to make or receive phone calls if they use a speakerphone, earpiece, wireless headphones or if the phone is connected to the vehicle or electronic watch.  GPS navigation devices are allowed.

Violators face a $50 fine for the first conviction; $100 for a second; and $150 for a third and subsequent convictions.

Law enforcement officials say there is no official “grace period” for the new law – and, those warnings were being issued simply as a courtesy; however, people shouldn’t get used to it – because it won’t last forever.

Georgia is the 16th state in the country to enact a hands-free driving law.

(al.com/www.al.com)