Archive for category: Teens

Submitted by Jon Freeman

A bill known as the “Hands Free Law” was passed by the Georgia General Assembly and then signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal on May 2, 2018. The Hands Free Law will take effect on July 1, 2018. Links to websites with more detailed information about this law can be found at the end of this article. The following is a brief description of what the law states and some frequently asked questions from the Hands Free Law webpage of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia:

1. 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.
2. Headsets and earpieces can only be worn for communication purposes and not for listening to music or other entertainment.
3. 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
4. A driver may not write, send or read any text messages, e-mails, social media or internet data content
5. A driver may not watch a video unless it is for navigation.
6. A driver may not record a video (continuously running dash cams are exempt)
7. Music 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.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE LAW ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Reporting a traffic crash, medical emergency, fire, criminal activity or hazardous road conditions.
2. An employee or contractor of an utility service provider acting within the scope of their employment while responding to an utility emergency.
3. A first responder (law enforcement, fire, EMS) during the performance of their official duties.
4. When in a lawfully parked vehicle—this DOES NOT include vehicles stopped for traffic signals and stop signs on the public roadway.

ENFORCEMENT

When the Hands-Free law takes effect July 1, the Georgia Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement have the option to issue warnings for violations as part of the effort to educate and to help motorists adapt to the new law. However, citations can and will be issued starting July 1 for any violation of the Hands-Free Law, including those where the violation involves a traffic crash. There is not a 90-day grace period provision in the Hands-Free Law.

For more information about the new Georgia Hands Free Law feel free to take a look at the following websites:

Georgia Highway Safety

Heads Up Georgia

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Georgia Department of Driver Services

Submitted by Alexandria Ducksworth

Looking forward to a healthy harvest? Make your own natural compost for an extra boost! All you need is your kitchen scraps and more to get started.

Here’s how to make successful compost:

1. Plan stationary or rotating compost

There are two ways of making compost: Stationary and rotating. Stationary compost is set in one pile in your garden area. Make sure you build a fence around it or keep it in a ventilated container from pesky critters.

Rotating compost is set in a tumbler . Not only animals won’t be able to mess with it, it’ll be easier to mix up to keep it fresh. With a stationary compost, you must mix it with a shovel or a garden fork.

2. Gather the right compost ingredients

“Green” and “brown” are two types of ingredients used to make compost.

Examples of “green” ingredients include:
-Grass and hedge clippings
-Algae
-Vegetable/fruit scraps
-Alfalfa

Examples of “brown ingredients:
-Peat moss
-Old newspapers
-Straw
-Cardboard (not dyed)

Don’t add these ingredients to your compost or you’ll wind up with an unhealthy heap:
-Meat
-Dairy products
-Pet waste
-Sickly plants
-Animal bones

Check out this extensive site for more acceptable compost materials.

3. Check your compost weekly

Is your compost slimy? Add more “brown” compost ingredients to the mix. If it doesn’t look like it’s breaking down at any point, add more “green” to it. You can add red wiggler worms to expedite the breakdown process further.

4. Compost is ready!

Your compost should ready to use when the ingredients are entirely broken down and has an earthy scent to it.

For further information on compost, read Chris McLaughlin’s The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Composting and watch The Perfect Compost DVD.

Many garden programs happening in GCPL. Find the right one for you in our calendar!