ALABAMA (WIAT) — The state of Georgia’s hands-free law came out with statistics and is showing that the new law is having a positive impact on the roads.

According to the Georgia House of Representatives, as of Sept. 30, 2018, traffic collision fatalities are down by 11 percent. Officials said that’s the lowest it’s been in 10 years. The statistics also show that there have been 128 fewer deaths on the road in 2018 compared to 2017.

Alabama lawmakers said these statistics will help them fight for the same bill, when March approaches and the bill can go to the floor.

State Senator Jim McClendon is sponsoring the bill and said he hopes the statistics show that this is something Alabama needs too. He said he helped push the texting ban in Alabama that took years to pass and he said he’ll push for the hands-free bill until it’s passes.

“I think drivers are frustrated. You see people crossing the line, drifting around, driving slower, and you can see what they’re doing or see their cellphone up instead of looking at highway,” said McClendon. “I think our drivers are ready for something safer on the highway.”

For Georgia, the law passed and went into effect on July 2, 2018.

Michelle Lunsford from Alabaster lost her daughter in February when she crashed into a semi while texting and driving. 

She is all for the hands-free bill and wants to see it become a law in Alabama.

“The proof is in Georgia. It shows you that ‘s what we need in Alabama. More lives will be saved when people are paying attention to the road and no other distractions in their car,” said Lunsford.