Month: February 2022

Under Georgia’s current hands-free law, it is illegal for motorists to be on the phone while at a red light or stop sign. In fact, it is illegal for drivers to touch their phones unless parked.

Now one lawmaker wants to change that. State Sen. Frank Ginn said it should also be okay to send a quick text or read your email while stopped at a light or stop sign.

“The car is not moving, when you’re perfectly still you can pick up the phone,” said State Sen. Frank Ginn.

Sen. Ginn said he’s 100% against distracted drivers but said when one is at a full stop it should be okay to pick up the phone.

Sen.  Ginn voted for the hands-free law back in 2018. Now he wants to amend it a bit. He said he’s heard from a number of constituents who have been cited for texting at a stop sign or light.

“You may pull up to a stop sign and there’s nobody there.  Today it’s illegal to pull out your phone and look at a text message or whatever. I don’t like to make criminals out of our citizens,” said Sen. Ginn.

Sen. Ginn said the important thing to remember is to hang up when the light turns green.

The bill has been assigned to the Public Safety Committee and is on the agenda for review.

The “get out of jail free” provision allows motorists to demonstrate they intended to comply with the law in the future. It’s hard to tell how many citations have been dismissed because of it, but last year The AJC found it was used thousands of times a year in Atlanta alone.

Defensive driving participants learn about the current rules of the road and how to operate their vehicles more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment.

Topics include:

• Maintaining proper following distance
• Minimizing the effect of dangerous blind spots
  Limiting driver distractions such as eating, smoking, and cell phone use
• Properly using safety belts, airbags, and all car features
• Effects of medications on driving
• Maintaining physical flexibility
• Monitoring the driving skills and capabilities of yourself and others

There is a lot of very useful and informative information offered in our classes 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!

A Habersham County deputy has been fired after the sheriff’s office arrested him for a DUI.

The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office said Scott Lilly was arrested around 1:30 a.m.

Lilly is accused of driving home from a party the next county over in Banks County. The sheriff’s office said he was pulled over on New Liberty Road by another deputy who thought he was driving impaired.

The sheriff’s office said the car Lilly was driving was his personal car and not a county vehicle.

Lilly faces one count of DUI, one count of reckless driving, and one count of failure to maintain a lane.

The next step for Lilly 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!

A report from the U.S. Department of Transportation finds fatalities rose 12 percent from 2020 to 2021 nationwide.

This is the largest increase ever recorded since the department began tracking rates in the ’70s.

Georgia’s fatality rate was just over the national average at 12.2 percent.

Driver behavior has grown increasingly worse during the pandemic, Natalie Dale with GDOT said. He also said law enforcement has reported higher speeds on state roads.

Additionally, about 40 percent of fatalities reported were not wearing a seatbelt.

Dale also said most problems stemmed from lane departures, when a driver may shift into a lane or off a road, due to distracted driving.

“In order for us to get to a place where we’re decreasing in fatalities, it has to be a partnership with both us designing safe roads and taking into account the multiple users of our roads – whether it’s motorists, pedestrians, bicycles – that we all take responsibility for safety,” said Dale.

In Atlanta, poor driver behavior seemed to have the most dangerous effect on pedestrians. The city reported an 88 percent rise in pedestrian fatalities involving a vehicle.

How to prevent distracted driving?

What drivers can do: Do not multitask while driving. Whether it’s adjusting your mirrors, picking the music, eating a sandwich, making a phone call, or reading an email―do it before or after your trip, not during.

What passengers can do: Speak up if you are a passenger in a car with a distracted driver. Ask the driver to focus on driving. Reduce distractions for the driver by assisting with navigation or other tasks.

Defensive driving participants learn about the current rules of the road and how to operate their vehicles more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment.

Topics include:

• Maintaining proper following distance
• Minimizing the effect of dangerous blind spots
  Limiting driver distractions such as eating, smoking, and cell phone use
• Properly using safety belts, airbags, and all car features
• Effects of medications on driving
• Maintaining physical flexibility
• Monitoring the driving skills and capabilities of yourself and others

There is a lot of very useful and informative information offered in our classes 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!

Police said 32-year-old Clarkston resident Damis Lider was driving north in the southbound lines on Ga. 400 and collided with 24-year-old Sandy Springs resident Zoe Robinson. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. There were no other injuries reported, police said.

Lider was driving a blue 2015 Hyundai Sonata and struck Robinson’s blue 2016 Hyundai Sonata.

Sandy Springs patrol officers received multiple reports of a wrong-way driver on Sunday. Officers learned the suspect they were searching for crashed while they were responding.

The scene of the crash was just south of the Roberts Drive overpass.

The Roswell Police Department also responded.

The investigation is ongoing and police ask anyone that might have witnessed this crash to please contact Officer Gilmore at [email protected].

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

Driving practices and rules that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can be applied to be a safe driver. 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!

The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop, increasing their speed to 169 mph.

Deputies from Monroe County and Butts County arrived to put out the flames and were able to pull two male subjects from the car. Authorities pronounced four dead at the scene, while two others were hospitalized.

Police said they located three guns and 17 credit cards on the scene. The investigation is still active at this time, the sheriff’s office wrote on social media.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was not able to provide further details.

Our condolences go to the family and friends of those involved.

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.

Speeding behavior and aggressive drivers may not only affect the speeder—it can also affect other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Here are some tips for encountering speeders on the road: 

• Give speeding drivers plenty of space. Speeding drivers may lose control of their vehicles more easily.
• Adjust your driving accordingly. Speeding is tied to aggressive driving. If a speeding driver is tailgating you or trying to engage you in risky driving, use judgment to safely steer your vehicle out of the way.
• Call the police if you believe a driver is following you or harassing you.

To stay safe on the road consider taking a defensive driving class. A-1 offers classes virtually and at 19 locations where you can learn more tricks and tips such as these!

Atlanta police said a driver is charged with DUI after a crash on the Downtown Connector near 17th Street in Atlanta.

Police said a car entered the highway traveling north in the southbound lanes.

Police said three vehicles were involved and all of their occupants are in stable condition.

The at-fault driver was taken into police custody.

The wreck closed all but one right lane.

Delays also affected Ga. Highway 400 near the merger with I-85 southbound.

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!

The first couple of years of driving for a teenager is statistically the most dangerous of all. Teen drivers can lower their car crash risk by enrolling in a defensive driving course!

Teen drivers who graduate from a defensive driving course can get the following benefits:

• Learning the fundamentals of driving
  • Teen drives will learn the traffic rules in a systemic way.
• Builds confidence
  • The first time behind the wheels can be a scary or stressful experience for a teen driver. Teen drivers can practice in a safe environment, where they can build confidence in their abilities and skills as they learn how to drive with the help of an experienced driver.
• Shows them the risks
  • Teen drivers need to be aware that driving is dangerous. Being too nervous is dangerous, but if a teen driver is not nervous at all, it means he is not aware of how risky driving can be. Teens will learn how dangerous driving can be and what risks are involved. They will also learn how to avoid those risks.
• Learning the consequences
  • In this course, teens will learn about the effects of driving under influence (DUI). Teen drivers will also learn they will have to take responsibility for their safety and the safety of others.
• Practice time
  • Teenagers will practice their driving skills in a safe, supervised environment. Teen drivers can learn driving techniques from qualified instructors and can develop their skills.
• Learn the state’s laws
  • Traffic laws differ from one state to another. Depending on which state the teen driver is taking the course, he will be presented with the laws of that state.
• Cheaper insurance premiums
  • Insurance companies place teen drivers in the high-risk category, thus they have to pay more for their insurance. One way for teen drivers to lower their car insurance rates is by graduating from a defensive driving course.

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