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Why are police exempt from Georgia's hands-free law?

At last count, state troopers have written over 1,300 tickets to people driving with a phone in hand.
Credit: Brock, Savannah

ATLANTA – There has been much fanfare over Georgia’s new hands-free law, but don’t be surprised if you see a police officer behind the wheel with a phone in hand.

They’re exempt from the law.

Why?

At last count, state troopers have written over 1,300 tickets to people driving with a phone in hand but those same troopers can do the same thing that led to your ticket, as long as the conversation is part of their job.

“It’s permitted,” says Gwinnett County Police Sgt. Jake Smith. “Really the only time we’re going to use it is if we have some kind of critical update on something we’re responding to.”

RELATED | How to 'read' your texts hands-free while driving

Firefighters, EMTs, and police are among the first responders who can still drive with a phone in hand as long as they’re on duty.

Police have numerous ways to communicate including computers, two-way radios, and phones.

Sgt. Smith explains that officers are often in urgent situations and need information quickly.

Atlanta Police spokesperson Carlos Campos says their officers use their phones while on the move to speak to witnesses or other agencies they can’t reach by two-way radio.

“Communication is absolutely vital to first responders during fast-moving crisis situations and calls for service,” says Campos. “A lot of conversations simply do not need to take up radio airwaves that can be left open for more urgent communication.”

ALSO | How Georgia's hands free law compares to measures in other states

11Alive’s Why Guy asked why police don’t use Bluetooth to avoid holding their phones while behind the wheel.

“Not all of the models of cars the police department has now has Bluetooth,” says Smith. “Future models of car we drive they probably will.”

Police Departments around the state have instructed officers to use their phones only when completely necessary.

Gwinnett County has told officers they’re never allowed to exchange texts or emails while driving and to park safely to make a call whenever possible.

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