We are proud and honored to say that one of our Driver’s Education instructors has received the male coach of the Year award. Brian Weeden teaches at Washington High School and coaches basketball there too. He is changing lives on and off the basketball court, and we are super proud that we can have him as an employee. Keep up the great work Brian!
Category: Driving News
Distracted While Driving Awareness
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and although it is May, drivers need to become aware of what can happen when they’re distracted while driving. As of 2022, in Georgia alone, nearly 500 people were killed in car crashes. That is almost 100 more than in 2021. The number of deadly crashes in Georgia has doubled over the last nine years, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. According to statistics, around one in three drivers are distracted by their phones. That is one too many. More than 3,000 teens die each year in crashes that involve texting. Why risk it? Put your phone down while driving. It is simply not worth what can happen to be distracted while driving.
In the Driver’s Education course, you will learn proper phone etiquette and ways to reduce distracted driving. The more lessons you take, the more aware you will be of what can happen on the road due to distractions.
Life360 for Teen Driving Safety
Life360 is a family-friendly app that shows every family member’s location. it also has other features like Crash Detection with Emergency Dispatch, 24/7 Roadside Assistance, and the ability to see how fast your family member is driving. This is an app that encourages teens to obey the speed limit and rules and regulations on the road. This app monitors your child’s driving and safety and shows the speed of the car they are driving in, the route they take, and the time when your child is driving.
Life 360 has so many benefits that could help your child in many ways. The free plan offers the ability to see two days of location history, the family driving summary, crash detection, and SOS Help alerts. If you upgrade to gold which is $14.99 a month your family members will have access to emergency dispatch if they get in a crash, roadside assistance, individual driving reports, and so much more. Besides driving safety, Life360 has so many great add-ons to make sure your children are safe.
Expired License Plate Leads to DWI
Digital Drivers Licenses for Georgians
If we have our bank accounts, car insurance, and credit cards, why not have our driver’s licenses digitally too? Thanks to the Georgia Department of Driver Services Georgians will begin to have the option to turn in Georgia-issued driver’s licenses and ID digitally if they are valid. The DDS is enabling an easy, faster way for Georgians to present their driver’s license or ID, without needing to have their physical card with them. Right now, Georgia digital driver’s license or ID in Apple Wallet is accepted at select TSA checkpoints at certain airports.
If you are going to get your drivers license soon or are scheduled to take your road test you will have the option for a digital license. You will still have the option for a hard copy as well. If you need driving lessons to prepare to for a road test to get your license, or you need a road test to get your license, you can take them both at A1 Driving Schools.
Coming Soon to A1 Decatur!
A-1 Driving Schools Decatur will soon have the option to offer on-site road tests for ages 16 and up. Taking your road test with A-1 Driving Schools you avoid going to the DDS, you will take your test in the A-1 car with our certified driving instructors, and if you pass your test you will receive the certificate of completion that will allow you to get your drivers license.
We’re thrilled to announce that soon you’ll also be able to take your road test at A-1 Driving Schools Decatur. If you’re not near Decatur, don’t worry! You can take your road test at A-1 Driving Schools has 18 other locations. To take the on-site road tests with A-1 Driving School, you have to meet the road testing requirements.
A-1 Road Testing Qualifications & Requirements*
Any student can take their DMV road test at A-1 Driving Schools, however, depending on age, the student must meet the following Georgia qualifications:
Adult Students 18 and Over
- Students 18 and over do not have to have taken classes with us.
- Must have a valid Georgia Driver’s permit
- $150 for students 18 and over
Students Under 18
- Must have completed the classroom or online 30-hour Joshua’s Law course + 6 hours of driving lessons at A-1 Driving Schools*
- You must take have taken Joshua’s Law course, and the driving lessons, with A-1 Driving Schools in order to take the road test with A-1. We cannot accept testing students who have taken the courses and lessons at another school.
- Must have a valid Georgia Driver’s permit for at least 1 year and 1 day
- Students can retake the road test should they fail the first time.
- $95 for students under 18 years old
- Free re-test if you fail the first time.
Another DUI for a UGA Football Player
De’Nylon Morrissette UGA sophomore who played 11 games last season as a reserve, was the 4th member of the Georgia Football team that was arrested since their national championship win on 1/9. Morrissette has gotten charged with driving under the influence of drugs on 5/8 at 3:30 am. Jail records show he was booked at 10:10 am and released at 11:55 am on bonds that totaled $1,721.
Hopefully, De’Nylon Morrissettte will never have to deal with a DUI again. If you are ever in a situation while you get a DUI and need help with DUI school, A-1 is here to help.
5 ways to avoid a DUI this holiday season
For most people, the holidays mean spending time with friends and family. One of the greatest gifts you can give this season is
sober driving. We deal with drunk drivers daily, but the holidays are a time when DUIs are much more prevalent. Here are some ways you can stay safe during the holidays!
1. Plan ahead
If you plan to go out and drink, make sure you have a way to get home or plan to stay there.
2. Be a designated driver
To make sure your friends and family get home safe, volunteer to be the sober driver. Groups should always have a friend stay sober so they can drive.
3. Do not allow underage drinking
Underage drinkers are more likely to drive under the influence. Although the holidays can be a time to let things slide, do not let underage children drink at holiday parties.
4. Make space for people to spend the night
If you’re hosting a holiday get-together, it’s a wise idea to let people have the option to spend the night. Letting friends and family crash in a spare bedroom or on a couch is a helpful way to help those you love stay safe.
5. Watch out for your friends
Don’t let your friends drive impaired. If you see anyone trying to drive who shouldn’t be, do them a favor and take their keys. The biggest gift you can give your friends is a chance to see another day.
Please choose to drive sober! By driving sober you are saving your own life and keeping many others safe. Always remember, that Georgia drivers can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher. Stay safe during the holidays.
Read more at United States Department of Transportation
Georgia mayor and wife killed in Cherokee County crash
EMERSON, Ga.- Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office officials confirmed that beloved mayor Albert ‘Al’ Pallone and his wife, Millie, were killed in a fatal DUI crash Saturday afternoon.
The couple was traveling on Knox Bridge Highway when the driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck barreled over the centerline smashing into Pallone’s Hyundai Santa Fe. The second target of the Chevrolet pickup was a Mazda 3.
The Santa Fe lost control and rolled into the eastbound lane, where a GMC Savanna van rammed into the mayor’s car. The mayor and his wife were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Mazda 3 and GMC Savanna drivers were transported to a hospital nearby. Neither suffered life-threatening injuries.
William Bryan Abernathy, 50, the driver of the Chevrolet pickup, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, DUI, serious injury by vehicle, and vehicular homicide.
After fifteen years of serving North Georgia, Pallone’s death will leave a massive void in the community.
Read more at fox5atlanta.com and WSBtv.com
Gainesville man charged with DUI
A Gainesville man charged with DUI and other traffic charges was airlifted following a three-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Tallulah Falls that resulted in serious injuries.
The crash occurred on Ga. 15 just past Tallulah Falls dam. Both Rabun and Habersham Counties responded to the crash.
Edmanuel Leonardo Mendoza, 21, of Gainesville, was traveling south on Ga. 15 in the left lane in a silver 2013 Chevrolet Camaro. Mendoza failed to maintain his lane of travel and traveled into the turning lane and towards the northbound lanes of Ga. 15, striking a white 2013 Dodge Caravan, driven by a 17-year-old of College Park, Ga., with three-17-year-old passengers, that was traveling north on Ga. 15 in the left lane, in the right front with its front, according to Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Post 7-Toccoa.

After impact, the Camaro rotated clockwise and came to an uncontrolled final rest facing northwest in the turning lane of Ga. 15.
The Caravan rotated clockwise and a silver 2005 Chevy Tahoe, driven by Robert Guess, 71, of Demorest, with passenger Karen Guess, 70, of Demorest, and traveling south on Ga. 15 in the right lane, struck the Caravan in the right front quarter panel with its front. After impact, the Caravan came to an uncontrolled final rest facing west in the southbound lanes of Ga. 15. The Tahoe came to an uncontrolled final rest facing south in the right lane of Ga. 15 southbound, GSP reported.
The 17-year-old driver and three 17-year-old passengers were transported to hospitals.
Mendoza is charged with DUI and other traffic charges, GSP reported.
Georgia drivers can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or higher.
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:
- DUI
- Drug Possession
- Other drug offenses
- Under-age possession of drugs or alcohol
For more information about DUI School visit www.a1drivingschools.com or call (770) 962-9555!