Author: Mike Markos

An off-duty Prattville police officer was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Tuesday morning, Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson said. At 1:30 am, Colton Lambert was arrested in a private car for driving under the influence.

This officer is an embodiment of the law, whether or not he is currently on duty. This goes for everyone; we should always abide by the law on the road because you can put yourself and everyone else on the road at risk. Driving is a privilege, and if you abuse it, you could hurt yourself, or even worse, get in a fatal wreck. To keep yourself safe on the road, take driving lessons and the drivers education course to ensure you are a safe driver.

• First Come, First Go

  • The first vehicle to stop at the intersection has the right of way.

  • If you arrive first, you go first — after coming to a complete stop, of course.

• If Two Vehicles Arrive at the Same Time

  • The vehicle on the right has the right of way.

  • The driver on the left should yield.

• If Two Vehicles Are Across from Each Other

  • If both are going straight, they can go at the same time.

  • If one is turning left, the driver turning left yields to the driver going straight.

• Pedestrians Always Come First

  • If someone is in or approaching a crosswalk, they have the right of way — even if it’s your turn to go.

• When in Doubt, Yield

  • If you’re unsure who should go, let the other driver proceed. It’s always better to be cautious than to cause a collision.

Defensive Driving programs are not only great for bettering your driving skills but they also have many perks. Here are some of them:

3 Benefits of Defensive Driving Programs:

• You may complete the 6-hour Defensive Driving Program once every 5 years to remove up to 7 points from your record to prevent your license from being revoked.
• The 6-hour Defensive Driving Program may be taken for a 20% reduction of the traffic fine and may result in the court not adding points to your record.
• 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.

If you are in Georgia, you can register now at one of our 18 locations! Drive Safe!

1. Stay Calm and Safe

   • Take a deep breath and try to stay composed.

   • If possible, move your vehicle out of traffic to avoid further accidents. Turn on your hazard lights.

2. Check for Injuries

   • Make sure you and your passengers are okay.

   • Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured.

3. Call the Police

   • Even for minor accidents, it’s important to have an official report.

   • Follow their instructions and remain at the scene.

4. Exchange Information

   • Get the other driver’s name, contact info, license plate number, and insurance details.

   • Avoid arguing or admitting fault at the scene.

5. Document the Scene

   • Take photos of the vehicles, damage, license plates, and surrounding area.

   • Write down what happened while it’s fresh in your memory.

6. Notify Your Insurance Company

   • Report the accident promptly to start the claims process.

   • Provide all the documentation and police report if available.

7. Seek Medical Attention

   • Even if you feel fine, some injuries (like whiplash) may not be immediately obvious.

   • Keep records of all medical visits and treatments.

8. Consider Legal Advice

   • If there are injuries or disputes about fault, consult an attorney to understand your rights.

State officials in Georgia are warning drivers and families about uncertified driving schools operating without proper credentials. These schools may advertise professional training but fail to meet state safety and certification standards, leaving students without valid credit for their courses — and potentially unsafe behind the wheel.

However, investigations by 11Alive News revealed that some schools falsely claim certification or credentials. The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) has issued cease-and-desist letters to several such operators and can escalate cases to the Attorney General’s Office for consumer protection violations if warnings go unheeded.

DDS officials urge consumers to verify certification before enrolling in any driver education or improvement class. Certified schools are listed on the DDS website, and there are hundreds of approved options statewide. One of those schools is A-1 Driving Schools, a fully certified, trustworthy driving school that will help you hone in on your driving skills.

Anything in this list is fair game for a road test, so be sure to prepare either with your parents or in driving lessons!

1. Vehicle Safety Check (Pre-Test)

• The examiner will check your car for required equipment: brake lights, turn signals, horn, seat belts, windshield wipers, mirrors, etc.

• You’ll need to demonstrate knowledge of basic controls (turn signals, windshield wipers, emergency brake, headlights).

2. Basic Skills / Parking Lot Maneuvers

These are done in the DDS testing area before going on the road:

• Parallel parking (between two cones)

• Backing up in a straight line for about 50 feet while looking back

• Turning, stopping, starting smoothly

• Three-point turn (turnabout) — making a U-turn using limited space

3. On-the-Road Driving

You’ll drive in traffic with the examiner, demonstrating safe habits like:

• Obeying stop signs, traffic lights, and speed limits

• Using turn signals properly

• Yielding the right of way when required

• Keeping proper lane position (not drifting)

• Observing mirrors and surroundings frequently

• Smooth lane changes and turns

• Following at a safe distance

4. Critical Error Checks

Automatic failure can occur if you:

• Run a red light or stop sign

• Cause an accident or near-accident

• Speed or break traffic laws

• Refuse to follow examiner’s directions

• Fail to yield to pedestrians or emergency vehicles

5. Scoring

• You begin with a certain score (usually 100 points).

• Points are deducted for mistakes (e.g., not signaling, rolling through a stop, hitting cones).

• A passing score is typically 75 or higher.

1. Right Lane

   • Best for slower traffic, merging, or if you’re entering/exiting soon.

   • Ideal if you want to drive at or near the speed limit without passing.

2. Middle Lane(s)

   • Used for steady-speed travel.

   • Good for drivers maintaining highway speed who don’t need to pass frequently.

3. Left Lane (Passing Lane)

   • Primarily for passing slower vehicles.

   • Once you pass, move back to the middle or right lane.

   • Avoid lingering here, in many states, it’s illegal to stay in the left lane if you’re not passing.

4. Tips for Safe Highway Driving

   • Always match the flow of traffic safely.

   • Signal well in advance when changing lanes.

   • Keep a safe following distance (3–4 seconds minimum).

   • Avoid weaving between lanes — it’s dangerous and often illegal.

A Cape Coral woman was arrested late Saturday night after a reckless driving incident on Del Prado Blvd and the Cape Coral Bridge. Police say the driver, Jana Labash, ran a red light, hit barriers, and showed signs of impairment before refusing a breath test, now a criminal offense under Florida’s new DUI law. Not only was this extremely dangerous for her but aswell as everyone around her. Instead of driving while under the influence, look for other options where someone else in a better condition is at the wheel.

At A-1 Driving Schools, their state-certified DUI courses help drivers learn from mistakes, meet legal requirements, and make safer choices on the road. Responsible driving starts with the right education. Take the first step with us today.

General Requirements

1. Residency
   If you move into Georgia, you must get a Georgia driver’s license (or permit) within 30 days of becoming a resident.

2. Age

   • At least 15 to apply for a learner’s (Class CP) permit.

   • At least 16 for a provisional license (Class D), with permit held for at least 1 year and 1 day.

   • 18 or older for a full Class C license as a first-time driver.

3. Testing

   • Vision exam is required.

   • Knowledge exam (road rules, signs) for permit & license.

   • Road skills test for some license classes (especially provisional / full license) after permit period.

4. Learner’s Permit / Supervised Driving

   • Must hold a learner’s permit (Class CP) for at least 1 year and 1 day before applying for the provisional license (Class D).

   • During permit period: supervised driving and restrictions (who is in car, etc.).

5. Driver Education / Joshua’s Law
   For those under 18, Georgia requires completion of driver education and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training, plus certain hours of supervised driving with a parent. Also must complete ADAP (Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program). Joshua’s Law refers to those teen driver ed requirements.

6. Restrictions, until certain age / conditions

   • Curfew: with a provisional (Class D) license, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

   • Passenger limits: first 6 months only immediate family; after that one under-21 passenger who’s not family; later up to three after a year.

7. Documentation
   You’ll need documents proving identity, legal status, social security number (or proof ineligibility), Georgia residential address.

8. Fees
   There are fees (permit, license, renewal), which vary by class.

 Driving in Rain

• Slow down: Wet roads reduce traction and increase stopping distance.

• Increase following distance: Leave extra space between you and the car ahead.

• Use headlights, not high beams: Low beams make you more visible; high beams reflect off rain.

• Avoid hydroplaning: If your car starts to skid on water, ease off the gas, steer gently in the direction you want to go, and don’t slam on the brakes.

Driving in Snow & Ice

• Drive slowly: Speed limits are for ideal conditions; go slower when it’s slippery.

• Gentle movements: Accelerate, brake, and steer smoothly to avoid skids.

• Increase stopping distance: It can take 10 times longer to stop on ice than dry pavement.

• Clear your car: Remove snow/ice from all windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof before driving.

• If you skid: Steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go, and avoid braking hard.

Driving in Fog

• Use low beams or fog lights: High beams reflect off the fog and make it harder to see.

• Slow down and increase following distance.

• Use the right edge of the road or painted lines as a guide to stay in your lane.

• Avoid sudden stops: Brake gently so drivers behind have time to react.

• If visibility is near zero: Safely pull off the road, turn on hazard lights, and wait until conditions improve.

Above anything else, a solid foundation in driving will benefit you more than anything else! You can always start or continue to get better with driving lessons!