Month: April 2021

A seven-car wreck took the lives of Emily Clark, Morgan Bass, Catherine Pittman, Abbie DeLoach, and Caitlyn Bagget six years ago.

The crash happened on their last day of clinical rotations in their first year of nursing school.

The accident and many others drove efforts toward Georgia’s Hands-Free driving law, which took effect in July 2018.

DeLoach’s family has kept her spirit alive through the creation of the Abbie DeLoach Foundation. It has distributed nearly $1 million in scholarships to Georgia nursing students, student-athletes, and outreach abroad in honor of her.

This year, the foundation is ramping up efforts to help reduce distracted driving by sharing #HandsFreeforAbbie images and messaging on social media and via companies to encourage drivers to make a commitment to drive phone-free by taking a pledge.

What Is Distracted Driving?

A woman wanted for a hit-and-run in Georgia was arrested in Northwest Florida after being pulled over for alleged drunken driving.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy pulled over 24-year-old Taylor Smith from Warner Robbins, Georgia, The sheriff’s office had received several calls describing Smith’s car as sideswiping another vehicle and continuing to drive on Highway 98.

Once pulled over, the deputy says Smith was visibly drunk and slurring her speech. A 3-year-old was found inside the damaged car during the traffic stop.

Breathalyzer test results from Smith came back as blood alcohol levels of .176 and .181. The legal percentage is .08.

Smith was charged and her child was turned over to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the hit-and-run on Highway 98

The next step for Smith is to complete a clinical evaluation and the attendance of a DUI / Risk Reduction Program that’s certified/licensed by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services before his driver’s license can be reinstated since he has been charged with one of the following:

1. DUI
2. Drug Possession
3. Other drug offenses
4. Under-age possession of drugs or alcohol

For more information about DUI School visit www.a1drivingschools.com or call (770) 962-9555!

In Georgia, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury death and the second-leading cause of hospitalizations.

With such a significant number of injuries and fatalities attributed to car accidents, it comes as no surprise that Georgia insurance providers tend to take high-risk driving behaviors seriously.

Drivers are considered “high-risk” if they have been found at fault for an accident, have at least one speeding ticket, have a DUI conviction, or have had a lapse in insurance coverage. Following incidents such as these, it can be difficult for high-risk drivers to find affordable car insurance. By taking the necessary steps such as taking a driving course to correct their driving record and researching available providers in the region, high-risk drivers in Georgia can find the car insurance coverage solutions they need to stay safe and protected on the road.

Rates after a speeding ticket

Rates after an at-fault accident

Rates after a DUI

Who is a high-risk driver?

For the purposes of this article, Bankrate defines high-risk drivers as individuals who align with our base driving profile and have one or more of the following incidents on their record:

• At-fault accident
• Speeding ticket
• DUI conviction
• Lapse in coverage

The best step to take after falling into the high-risk driver category is generally to commit to safer driving habits. Once you’re able to maintain a clean driving record for at least five years, your insurance rates should go down significantly.

Under recently passed legislation, higher penalties could soon be a result for people arrested on street racing-related charges.

State lawmakers passed the street racing bill at the end of this year’s legislative session, with bipartisan support in the House and Senate. It also has the endorsement of Gov. Brian Kemp, who publicly backed the bill during a February press conference, though he has not said when he might sign it into law.

The new measure follows attempts by police departments and city governments in metro Atlanta to crack down “street racing” (dangerous driving in parking lots or on roads, or doing stunts in front of a cheering crowd).

Authorities said there was an uptick in 2020 as the pandemic emptied parking lots and streets, endangers drivers and pedestrians and the noise is a nuisance for nearby residents.

The measure, House Bill 534, allows authorities to suspend the licenses of some violators for up to a year and calls for penalties as high as $5,000. It creates the offense of “reckless stunt driving” and allows authorities to seize cars that are involved. Repeat offenders could be charged with a felony and face additional prison time.

Speeding is more than just breaking the law…

The consequences are far-ranging:

• Greater potential for loss of vehicle control;
• Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment;
• Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger;
• Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries;
• Economic implications of a speed-related crash; and
• Increased fuel consumption/cost.

Whether you are 15 and in need of taking the course or 45 and you just want to brush up on the rules and regulations of driving, A-1 Driving School is here to help!

We have 19 convenient locations around the metro Atlanta area offering different programs. For more information call (770)962-9555 or visit us at www.a1drivingschools.com!

Quantez Alfred Leonard, 34, of Jonesboro, is charged with cocaine trafficking, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and DUI.

Deputies patrolling the interstate spotted a 1999 S-10 pickup truck driving erratically near exit 51, heading southbound.

After making a traffic stop on the truck, deputies observed the smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle and asked the driver to perform a field sobriety test.

Leonard reportedly failed to complete the test and was transported to the Coweta County Jail.

While performing an inventory of the truck, deputies located 41 grams of cocaine located in a lunchbox cooler, along with plastic baggies and a digital scale, according to Lt. Chuck Smith.

DUI Laws | What You Need to Know

The laws make it illegal for drivers of all ages to operate motor vehicles if they have BAC percentages of:

• 0.08% or higher, if they’re 21 years old or older operating regular passenger vehicles.
• 0.04% or higher, if they’re operating commercial vehicles.
• 0.02% or higher, if they’re younger than 21 years old.

Georgia State law also requires clinical evaluation and the attendance of a DUI / Risk Reduction Program that’s certified/licensed by the Georgia Department of Driver’s Services before your driver’s license can be reinstated if you have been charged with any of the following:

1. DUI
2. Drug Possession
3. Other drug offenses
4. Under-age possession of drugs or alcohol

Before getting behind the wheel after having a few, consider the many reasons why you should not.

For more information about DUI School visit www.a1drivingschools.com or call (770) 962-9555!

Officials say the crash happened on Georgia-400 South near Windsor Parkway around 1 a.m.

According to police, the officer was inside his patrol vehicle fully visible on the right shoulder with his emergency lights on when 24-year-old Khiry Smith ran into him.

Medics rushed the officer to a nearby hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Smith has been charged with DUI, violation of the Georgia Move Over law, open container, and reckless driving.

Move Over Law:

•  The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
  1. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
  2. If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
• Violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.

There is a lot of useful information such as this Move Over Law that is taught in driving the class and it will apply whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver!

For more information about class schedules or to see A-1’s 19 convenient locations call (770)962-9555 or visit us at www.a1drivingschools.com!

If you were driving on that stretch of highway around 9 a.m. or so, no, your eyes did not deceive you. It really was a cow that you saw running against traffic for reasons nobody is quite clear about.

No, it’s not the first time there’s been a “loose animal” on a Metro Atlanta interstate. This time, it was on Saturday morning on I-285 west, just before Ashford-Dunwoody Road.

Dunwoody police say the cow somehow fell out of a livestock trailer. Police say it took some help from a handful of officers and a citizen with a rope to finally capture the loose cow.

Nearly an hour, things slowly began returning to normal.

There were reports of a crash in the area and at one point, three lanes on the highway were closed. It is not yet clear if the cow was involved or not.

Motor collisions continue to injure and claim the lives of many people every year.

It is recommended that drivers practice defensive driving at all times to avoid collisions!

• Drivers are advised to not drive too closely behind other cars so that they can have more time to maneuver in case those vehicles abruptly come to a stop.
• Drivers should also activate their car signals whenever they decide to change lanes, turn a certain direction, speed up, or slow down.
• Car owners must also carry out regular and proper maintenance of their vehicles.

The same and more safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can apply to be a safe driver in a car and on a motorcycle. There is a lot of very useful and informative information in the class and it will apply whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver!

For more information about schedules call (770)962-9555 or more details can be found on A-1’s official website www.a1drivingschools.com.