Relief at the pump is looking good for Georgians. The state Senate Finance Committee approved a bill to suspend Georgia’s gas tax.
House representatives passed the bill on March 11, which means the full Senate must pass it to land on Governor Brian Kemp’s desk, who’s expected to sign the measure.
The Senate could hold the vote as early as Tuesday evening.
This bill would give drivers relief while gas prices continue to climb by suspending the additional 29 cents per gallon.
If passed, the measure would last through May 31.
Drivers were paying well above $4.00 per gallon at many gas stations around Atlanta and said that suspending the tax would bring only a small amount of help but still want lawmakers to approve it immediately.
For drivers who are looking to stretch their gas for as many miles as possible, auto expert Lauren Fix of Car Coach Reports has three simple tips:
Don’t idle your vehicle.
“We typically think it’s only a couple of pennies to sit in the drive-thru,” Fix said. “Park your vehicle. Go inside. That will save you the most fuel.”
Limit the weight
She recommends not carrying anything in your car you don’t need. By limiting the weight inside your car, you could increase your car’s fuel efficiency.
Stay up-to-date on maintenance.
“Anytime an engine is not maintained properly, that means something’s not functioning properly,” Fix said. “So you’re not going to get the best fuel economy when a pump or hose isn’t working.”
Whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver, A-1 offers classes that will help you brush up on some rules and regulations before it’s too late.
If you have a clean driving record for 3 years, you may take the 6-hour Defensive Driving Program to receive a 10% -15% discount on your auto insurance premium. The insurance discount percentage is determined by your insurance company.
Photo publication in the legal organ of the county in which the offense occured
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:
Using these general guidelines with the following steps will make parallel parking easier and safer for the novice driver:
Stop your vehicle even with the car parked in front of the opening (steering wheel to properly steering wheel), approximately 2 to 3 feet from the parked vehicle.
Shift into reverse at this point so as to immediately warn drivers approaching from the rear of your intentions to back into the parking space. Also, be sure to check for traffic approaching from the rear before starting to back, because your front end will swing out into the adjacent lane.
When clear, back slowly while turning the steering wheel quickly all the way right, and continue back until the upright portion of your front seat on the passenger side is in line with the rear bumper of the vehicle you are parking behind (using the curb and the front bumper of the car parked behind as a 90 degree angle you would be at about 45 degrees).
Continue back slowly as you quickly turn the wheel back to center (a glance forward is allowed for a reference check), and keep backing until your front bumper is in line with the rear bumper of the vehicle you are parking behind.
Continue back slowly as as you turn the wheels sharply left. As your vehicle nears the car behind and your front end swings in line with the curb, stop and shift into drive.
Photo: Google Images
Road test typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. After you pass the test, there may be an additional wait time at the DMV to process your paperwork, take your picture, and issue a license once you pass.
Skip the DMV! We now offer onsite road testing at select A-1 Driving School locations.
A-1 Onsite Road Testing Qualifications
16 & 17-year-old students must have completed the classroom or online 30-hour Joshua’s Law course + 6 hours of driving lessonsat A-1 Driving Schools.
18-year-old students do not have to have taken classes with us. Must have a valid Georgia Driver’s permit.
$95.00 – Student Under 18 Road Test
$150.00 – Adult Over 18 Road Test Register Now
A man accused of killing a man standing on the shoulder of I-85 while trying to avoid a traffic stop is in police custody and facing a litany of charges, including felony murder in Gwinnett County.
The Georgia State Patrol said Victor Allen Smith, 55, led a trooper on a pursuit after trying to avoid a traffic stop.
The trooper activated their patrol car lights, officials said, and the driver sped off north into Gwinnett County, weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed. Georgia State Patrol said it lost control south of Jimmy Carter Boulevard on I-85.
That’s when troopers said the driver skidded into the east shoulder and emergency lane where Martinez and the wrecker driver were standing.
Hugo N. Martinez, 22, died in the collision. Officials said a wrecker had just finished loading his broken-down car on I-85 north. The driver of the wrecker was able to jump over a concrete barrier, officials said and avoided being hit.
Smith faces several charges, including traffic offenses:
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of Hugo Martinez.
Speeding causes accidents!
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!
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:
DUI
Drug Possession
Other drug offenses
Under-age possession of drugs or alcohol
Before getting behind the wheel after having a few, consider the many reasons why you should not.
Gas prices are climbing nationwide, reaching the $4 mark across much of Central Georgia.
“I would love to go back to the $3 for diesel and $2.75 for regular unleaded if possible,” said Central Georgia driver Paul McFather.
He owns a pressure washing business. When it comes to fueling up equipment, the inflation packs a punch at the pump.
“My truck was half full and my equipment was probably 60-70% full, my two pressure washers and it was $105,” said McFather.
Romello Smith is a little less worried about the cost.
“The price of the gas, like I know it’s controversial… but to me, I drive a fuel-efficient car, so I’m not worried about it,” he said.
He says gas isn’t as high in Georgia as in some other places.
“My family lives in California so they’ve adjusted to the gas prices. They’re calling me and more saying, ‘Be grateful you’re paying $4 because we’re in California paying $6,” he said.
AAA predicts prices are only going up from here.
“Gas prices are trending in Georgia at $3.96, that’s an 8 cent increase overnight. It rose 38 cents a week ago,” said
Montrae Waiters with AAA says both crude oil prices and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia are driving prices up.
Whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver, A-1 offers classes that will help you brush up on some rules and regulations before it’s too late.
If you have a clean driving record for 3 years, you may take the 6-hour Defensive Driving Program to receive a 10% -15% discount on your auto insurance premium. The insurance discount percentage is determined by your insurance company.
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.
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:
Road test typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. After you pass the test, there may be an additional wait time at the DMV to process your paperwork, take your picture, and issue a license once you pass.
Skip the DMV! We now offer onsite road testing at select A-1 Driving School locations.
A-1 Onsite Road Testing Qualifications
16 & 17-year-old students must have completed the classroom or online 30-hour Joshua’s Law course + 6 hours of driving lessonsat A-1 Driving Schools.
18-year-old students do not have to have taken classes with us. Must have a valid Georgia Driver’s permit.
$95.00 – Student Under 18 Road Test
$150.00 – Adult Over 18 Road Test Register Now
According to Georgia distracted driving law, it is illegal to:
Use one’s body to hold or support a cellphone, global positioning system receiver (GPS), or other electronic device used to search, send, or receive messages or internet data while operating a vehicle.
Write, send, or receive text-based data, such as text messages, email, or instant messages, on a wireless or stand-alone electronic device while operating a vehicle.
Drivers may use hands-free devices while driving. This includes voice-operated technology using speaker features or earpieces.
These distracted driving rules apply to all Georgia drivers. Commercial drivers, such as those making deliveries or hauling cargo in a semi-truck, must follow additional restrictions:
Voice communication technology may not use more than one button to start or end the call.
The driver must be able to remain in a properly seated driving position and belted when accessing and operating any communication technology.
Distracted driving laws do not apply as usual when a driver is reporting an accident or other roadway emergency. They also don’t apply to police officers, firefighters, and other first responders performing official duties.
Distracted driving is putting more than the driver at risk. Next time you get in the car, limit your exposure to fatalities by doing the following things:
Wear a Seatbelt. In 2018, the CDC reported that almost half of the teens, ages 16-19, that died in fatal car accidents died while unrestrained.
Put Your Phone On Do-Not-Disturb
Don’t Drive Late at Night. Teenage motor vehicle crashes in 2018 were found to occur most commonly between 9:00 PM and midnight.
Keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and stay safe.
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 information in the class and it will apply whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver.
