Month: November 2021

“Drowsy driving is often overlooked in the discussion of the types of behaviors like impaired and distracted driving that cause deadly crashes on our roads,” Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 795 people were killed in drowsy driving crashes nationwide.  However, that number is believed to be higher since it is difficult for investigators to determine if drowsiness was the cause of many fatal crashes involving lone drivers.

Teen drivers are considered to be one of the most vulnerable age groups for drowsy driving crashes and a majority of these types of crashes for drivers of all age groups happen overnight, often on rural roads and highways.

It’s not always easy to tell when you’re too tired to drive. Here are some signs that it’s time to pull over:

• Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids
• Daydreaming; wandering/disconnected thoughts
• Trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits or traffic signs
• Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes
• Trouble keeping your head up
• Drifting from your lane, tailgating, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
• Feeling restless and irritable

The same safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can apply to being 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 class schedules or to see A-1’s 19 convenient locations call (770)962-9555 or visit us at www.a1drivingschools.com!

Always Stop for a School Bus, when…

1. Approaching behind a school bus when its’ lights flash yellow and red.
2. Driving on either side of a 2-lane highway, both sides of traffic must always stop! for a stopped school bus.

Never Stop for a School Bus, when…

1. Driving on the opposite side of traffic, on a 4-lane highway.

This is the common mistake most motorists make when approaching a stopped school bus.

If you are driving on the opposite side of the traffic of a school bus, on a 4-lane highway, always proceed with caution, but always keep moving! Stopping will impede traffic and may cause accidents.

Georgia State law requires clinical evaluation and the attendance of the DUI 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

For more safe driving information or safe driving practices, A-1 Driving Schools has 19 convenient locations around metro Atlanta that all offer defensive driving courses! For more information please call (770)962-9555 or visit us at www.a1drivingschools.com.

Our condolences go to the family and friends of those involved in this tragic crash.

GEORGIA DUI LAWS:

Georgia drivers can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher.

When you are arrested for a DUI in Georgia, you’ll have to deal with both a criminal case and a separate license suspension. The Georgia Department of Driver Services will handle your license suspension pursuant to the implied consent laws and the GA criminal courts will prosecute the criminal case.

What happens in court won’t have any bearing on the status of your driver’s license and vice versa.

The Georgia courts impose criminal penalties including:

• Fines
• Jail time
• Public service

The Department of Driver Services imposes administrative penalties including:

• Suspension or revocation of your license

The higher your BAC, the more severe your penalties may be. Multiple convictions will also result in harsher sentences.

The state with the lowest drunken driving rate in the nation? That commendable distinction went to Delaware, with 44.3 DUI arrests per 100,000 people.

Men are far more likely than women to be arrested on drunken driving charges, as males accounted for nearly three in four DUI arrests in 2018, according to U.S. Drug Test Centers.

Additionally, whites accounted for 81.2 percent of DUI arrests in 2018, according to the report.

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

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

The Georgia affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) received $158,933 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety! Congratulations!

MADD Georgia says it will use the money for educational programs focused on the prevention and awareness of impaired driving and underage drinking in our state.

MADD’s Power of Parents and Power of You(th) programs are designed to reduce impaired driving through DUI prevention initiatives for law enforcement, military, educational, and community groups.

MADD also partners with the state’s Hands Across the Border and Click It or Ticket campaigns each year.

MADD and the state’s highway safety program have been credited with helping to drastically reduce the number of drunk driving deaths in the state but that does not mean the job is done. Numerous deaths on our roadways each year are still attributed to impaired driving.

MADD was founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, and anyone who has not experienced that pain cannot imagine the anger, frustration, and desperation caused by such tragedy.

Turning that anger into action has helped to save lives and anyone can help support that effort, whether you are a mother or not.

We encourage all parents to have serious conversations with young drivers and consider having them sign a pledge to never drive under the influence.

We caution all drivers that drinking and driving have serious consequences that can include losing your driver’s license, hefty fines, jail time, and, worst of all, the loss of life.

How much does it cost for insurance after a DUI in Georgia?

Georgia drivers convicted of a DUI can expect to pay roughly 86% more for insurance than what they paid pre-DUI.

Georgia drivers also face numerous penalties from the state after a DUI conviction. Penalties include such things as jail time, community service, and fines.

If your drunk driving injures or kills someone, the penalties will likely be much more severe than what is listed below and will be determined by a court of law.

Henry Ruggs III, 22, and his passenger were hospitalized with unspecified injuries that police said did not appear life-threatening after the Chevrolet Corvette he was driving slammed at high speed into the rear of a Toyota Rav4 on a busy thoroughfare in a residential area several miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.

The Toyota burst into flames and the driver and her dog died, police said. The woman was not immediately identified.

Police are prohibited by federal privacy law from disclosing medical information, said Officer Larry Hadfield, a department spokesman.

Ruggs faces felony charges of driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death and reckless driving, court records show.

Ruggs’ attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, said they are investigating the crash on behalf of their client “and ask everyone to reserve judgment until all the facts are gathered.”

Chesnoff declined additional comment after Ruggs was released from University Medical Center and booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

The Raiders released a statement saying the team was aware of the crash, “devastated by the loss of life,” and “in the process of gathering information.” It said the team’s thoughts and prayers went out to the victim’s family and that there would be no additional comment.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of those involved in this fatal accident.

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!

Bicyclist fatalities have been rising in the past decade, as have those involving pedestrians.

Experts blame aggressive drivers, more speeding, and an increase in distracted driving, largely caused by cell phone use. About eight people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that involve a distracted driver, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2019, the latest year for which data is available, 846 bicyclists were killed and 49,000 were injured in traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which collects data from police reports. The fatalities in urban areas rose by 49% since 2010.

The CDC estimated that more than 143,000 bicyclists visited emergency rooms in 2019 because of a vehicle-related incident.

A combination of consistent education, regard for traffic laws, and basic common sense can go a long way in helping reduce the number of fatalities involved in motorcycle accidents on a yearly basis. It’s important to understand some basic bicycle safety tips to make sure your next ride is a safe one.

Safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can be applied 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 class schedules or to see A-1’s 19 convenient locations call (770)962-9555 or visit us at www.a1drivingschools.com!

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office officials said a dump truck driver has been arrested in connection with a six-vehicle wreck that snarled traffic on Ga. 400’s northbound lane near Exit 17.

Officials said Jimmy Smith, 52, of Acworth, was charged with causing serious injury by vehicle, DUI drugs, driving too fast for conditions, and following too closely after the wreck. One person involved in the crash remains in the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and all others were released with minor injuries.

We, at A-1, are glad that this did not become a fatal accident, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved. 

According to information from the Sheriff’s Office, “all vehicles were slowing or stopped due to traffic, however, the dump truck showed no signs of braking until he hit the first vehicle.”

When someone is charged with DUI Drugs in Georgia, they face the following potential penalties:

• The penalties for DUI Drugs in Georgia are essentially the same as alcohol-related DUI cases
• The main difference is that those convicted of DUI Drugs do not qualify for a restricted license or limited permit

When someone is charged with Prescription Drug DUI in Georgia, they face the following potential penalties:

• The penalties for Prescription Drug DUI in Georgia are the same as with any other DUI in Georgia
• The difference is that people convicted of DUI while impaired by any drug may not qualify for a limited permit or restricted license.
• The other main difference is that there is often more sympathy for this form of driving under the influence, and as a result, some prosecutors are more flexible in their evaluation of the case

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

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