Author: Jenny Chiem

The Independence Day holiday travel period is now set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 5th at midnight, a total of 54 hours.

Local and state law enforcement are making it a priority to target speeders, distracted and impaired drivers!

The Georgia State Patrol and Motor Carrier Compliance Division also want to remind drivers about the Georgia Hands-Free Law, which went into effect two years ago. Since then, almost 50,000 tickets have been issued.

The 2019 Independence Day holiday travel period was 102 hours long. During that time span, state troopers were called to 571 traffic accidents which were tied to 427 injuries and 17 fatalities.

More than 12,000 tickets were issued spanning from seat belt and child restraint violations, with 16, 846 warnings and 422 DUI arrests.

Colonel Gary Vowell, the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, said “Despite restraints under COVID-19 guidelines, social distancing, wearing masks and timelines for re-opening states, motorists still plan to travel the roadways in celebration of the beginning of summer and family and friends will be participating in Fourth of July events. The Department of Public Safety wants everyone to put safety first by following the posted speed limit, not driving while impaired, making sure all occupants are restrained, keeping your hands off of your cell phones, and adhering to social distancing guidelines, wearing masks when necessary.”

Georgia State Patrol will also be enforcing Operation Zero Tolerance, which is aimed at fighting impaired drivers along with speeders and distracted drivers. AAA reports 97% of travelers will travel in a car and troopers, officers and deputies will be working together to cut down on roadway risks.

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!

Traffic statistics indicate that older adults overall are safe drivers with good driving records.

However, medical conditions, certain medications, and age-related physical changes can increase the risk of injury and crashes among older drivers.

We are committed to helping Americans 50 and older sustain mobility and safety as they age, which consists of several programs in our offered courses.

Defensive driving techniques and the normal changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time associated with aging. The courses also provide practical techniques for adjusting to these changes to ensure the driver’s own safety and that of others on the road.

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!

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Montravius Adams was arrested in Georgia and charged with marijuana and driving offenses.

The U.S. Constitution ensures the “right to travel,” but during the coronavirus pandemic, state and local officials are increasingly telling drivers to stay home.

Penalties for DUI in Georgia are related to the number of prior offenses:

When someone has a first DUI in Georgia they face the following potential penalties:

• 12 months of probation
• A minimum fine of $300 plus court costs and surcharges
• Between 1 – 10 days in jail, which many times can be waived
• At least 40 hours of community service
• Substance abuse counseling
• Attendance of the DUI Risk Reduction School (commonly referred to as DUI School)
• Attendance of a Madd Mothers Victim Impact Panel
• Drivers License Suspension, with a limited permit to drive

When someone has a second DUI in Georgia, they face the following potential penalties:

• Between 12 – 36 months of probation
• Fines of between $600 – $1000, plus all applicable surcharges and court costs
• Between 90 days – 12 months in jail, all of which can be done through probation except for at least 3 days that must be served in jail.
• 30 days of community service (240 hours)
• DUI School
• Driver’s License Suspension
• Red stripe on license
• Installing of an ignition interlock device, after a “hard license suspension” of 120 days
• Surrender of license plate
• Mandatory substance abuse counseling
• Potential DUI Court, in jurim
• Photo publication in the legal organ of the county in which the offense occured

When someone has a third DUI in Georgia, they face the following potential penalties:

• Between 12 -36 months of probation
• Fines of $1000 – $5000, plus all court costs and surcharges
• 120 days to 12 months in jail, with at least 15 days of actual incareceration (note a third DUI is a high and aggravated misdemeanor)
• 30 days of community service (240 hours)
• DUI School
• Five (5) years of driver’s license suspension (with an interlock permit available after two years)
• Surrender of license plate
• Photo publication in the legal organ of the accused’s home county
• Mandatory drug and alcohol treatment
• Declaration of Habitual Violator Status
• Potential DUI Court, in jurisdictions that have the program

When someone has prior DUI Convictions in Georgia, they face the following potential penalties:

• Punishment for drivers who have had prior DUI convictions depends on both the number of prior offenses and the severity of the current offense
• Georgia has a 10-year “look back” period when determining required enhancements in a person’s punishment
• Georgia has a 5-year “look back period when determining the driver’s license consequences of a person’s DUI offense
• Georgia’s “look back” period has never prevented a judge or prosecutor from deciding whether to hold a prior offense against someone accused of DUI. The “look back” period only refers to mandatory penalties and punishments.  In practice, most courts punish people based on their entire criminal record, not just the number of offenses in the past five or ten years

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 from 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!

Less traffic on Georgia roads these days may seem like a welcome side benefit of this pandemic.

But metro law enforcement leaders complain they’re seeing a new and more dangerous problem: more people driving not just fast, but at speeds over 100 miles an hour.

“I think people can’t normally go this fast because traffic’s usually more dense,” said Snellville police chief Roy Whitehead. “But with the reduction of the number of cars that are out there, I think that there’s more opportunity.”

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!

Atlanta Drivers Education has been mandated for all 16-year-old drivers. We are here to spread the awareness of safe driving habits and that driving is a very serious responsibility.

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!