OCC passes Distracted Driving and Sunday Alcohol

Tuesday night, the Oconee County Council passed two new measures.  The distracted driving law passed unanimously and will take effect immediately.  Deputies will use discretion when writing tickets until Memorial Day. After that, there will be zero tolerance. Violations will be punishable with fines starting at $100, and increasing by $100 for the second and third offenses. Under the law, drivers can use their phones at traffic lights and if pulled over.  Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said they would like to have signs reminding drivers of the new law at county lines. Also unanimously passed by the Oconee County Council was a Sunday alcohol referendum.  The referendum will now appear on the November ballot where voters will decide whether to allow alcohol sales on Sunday at restaurants, bars, grocery stores and gas stations. If the referendum passes in November, it will be up to business owners to decide if they want to get a permit or not.