Atlanta considers cell phone bill
Texting while driving is illegal in Georgia.
But Atlanta city employees could get fired for using their cell phone while driving under a proposal city council is considering.
Councilman H. Lamar Willis, a lawyer, says the city pays hundreds of thousands of dollars every year. The money goes to people who were in car accidents where a city employee was at fault.
“So, if it’s a $50,000 judgment or settlement…that comes out of our general fund tax revenue,” Willis said.” If it’s a $100,000… whatever that number is, it’s coming directly from our taxpayers literally.”
Willis says the city doesn’t track how many of those accidents involved a city employee who was distracted while driving. However, he argues any measure intended to lower city expenses and reduce liability is a good idea.
At issue is which city employees should be exempt from the law. Some argue certain public safety employees need to be exempt based on their rank or if the radios they use to communicate aren’t working.
The council might consider the plan next week.
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