Driving News – Page 19 – A-1 Driving Schools | 19 Locations in Atlanta, GA

Common-Law Right to Boot Vehicles

Private business owners do not reserve the right to boot cars parked on their property, according to a new ruling from the Georgia Supreme Court.

The case dates back to 2018 when Forrest Allen sued the owner of RCC Wesley Chapel Crossing, LLC and several of its tenants in Clayton County State Court, claiming negligence, premises liability, false imprisonment, conversion, and violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Allen claimed in the lawsuit that on Feb. 8, 2018, when he parked his car in the parking lot of the shopping center, he returned to find his vehicle immobilized by a boot.

The suit also stated that Allen paid $650 to have the boot removed and that at least 250 other people had a similar fate when parking in the lot dating back to 2013.

The owners argued they had a common law right to boot the car as it was on their property.

However, nearly three years later, the Georgia Supreme Court agreed with Allen, citing that there is no state law or common law that allows for booting.

In the opinion, Justice Shawn Ellen LaGrua wrote that the judges “disagree and conclude that neither the right to remove trespassing property … nor distress damage feasant supports the vehicle immobilization practice defendants engaged in here.”

WABE legal analyst Page Pate said that for any booting to occur on private property, there would need to be a city ordinance allowing it. “The Supreme Court, in this case, has basically said there is no right for a private property owner to place a boot on a car that’s been over parked on a lot,” he said.

And while the court acknowledges that there is a way to deal with overparked vehicles through the Georgia Towing law, that law does not address booting.

Defensive Driving Course participants can 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!

‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

State troopers and local law enforcement officers are stepping up traffic enforcement during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday season and will take any drunk or drugged driver they find to jail. No excuses! No exceptions!

The increased enforcement effort is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) national ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ mobilization, which runs from December 15, 2021 – January 2, 2022.

Georgia law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates are urging anyone planning to include alcohol in their celebration to include a plan for a ride with a sober driver, cab, or rideshare.

Photo: Google Images
GEORGIA DUI LAWS:

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.

The state with the lowest drunken driving rate in the nation? That commendable distinction went to Delaware, with 44.3 DUI arrests per 100,000 people.

Men are far more likely than women to be arrested on drunken driving charges, as males accounted for nearly three in four DUI arrests in 2018, according to U.S. Drug Test Centers.

Additionally, whites accounted for 81.2 percent of DUI arrests in 2018, according to the report.

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!

Pedestrian Rights

What Are Georgia’s Rules for Crossing Intersections? 

Pedestrians must cross intersections at a crosswalk. While most people consider a crosswalk as the pathway across the intersection denoted with white lines (i.e., a marked crosswalk), it is important to note that there are both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

An unmarked crosswalk is a line between one side of the roadway and the other. The only way this differs from a marked crosswalk is that there are no distinguishing marks.

If a pedestrian is in either a marked or unmarked crosswalk, he has the right-of-way. Drivers must yield to pedestrians already inside these crosswalks, regardless of whether the driver has a green light or not.

What Responsibilities Do Drivers Have?

According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, motorists must stop and stay stopped for pedestrians at crosswalks. Drivers must stay put until the pedestrian has vacated the driver’s side of the road.

Georgia law also holds that a driver cannot overtake another motorist who has stopped for a pedestrian.

Photo: Google Images

What Responsibilities Do Pedestrians Have?

Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to drivers outside of crosswalks. While you can cross the street outside of a crosswalk, you must wait until traffic has cleared. If a pedestrian is hit outside a crosswalk, they might be liable for any injuries he sustains.

While pedestrians do have the right-of-way in crosswalks, Georgia’s crosswalk laws dictate that “no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to yield.”

If you step into a crosswalk in front of oncoming traffic and suffer injuries in an accident, you might be liable for your own injuries.

The same safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can apply to being a safe driver in a car and on a motorcycle. 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!

Motorcyclist Killed in Lawrenceville Wreck

A Suwanee motorcyclist in Gwinnett County died after he was hit by a car and thrown from his bike, officials said.

Robert Boren, 49, of Suwanee, died in a hospital after he was injured in the wreck, according to Gwinnett police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera.

Officers were sent to the intersection of Collins Hill and Russell roads in Lawrenceville, Pihera said.

Police said Boren was heading straight when the driver of a Honda Accord tried to make a left turn and hit him.  The driver and a passenger in the Accord were not hurt, she said.

Both vehicles were impounded after the crash, which is still under investigation.

Here are some quick tips for motorists:

  • Get plenty of rest. Symptoms of drowsy driving can include having trouble keeping your eyes open, drifting from lanes, or not remembering the last few miles driven.
  • Get some shades. Wear high-quality sunglasses and adjust the car’s sun visors as needed to avoid glare in the morning.
  • Change driving habits. Reduce speeds and increase following distances, especially in more populated areas.
  • Ditch the distractions. This can include cell phones, infotainment systems, or clocks that need to be turned back an hour.
  • Use the headlights. This can make you more visible to pedestrians in the morning and evening. Don’t forget, even though the time changed, many will stick to their normal habits of walking home or exercising in the later hours.
  • Remember to yield. Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. Also, don’t pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks. Remember to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks.

The same safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can apply to be a safe driver in a car and on a motorcycle. 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!

Honda Passport, Pilot, Ridgeline Being Recalled for Hood Problem

The problem: Air entering a gap between the hood and the grille could cause the hood latch striker to weaken and potentially separate. If this happens, the hood could open while the vehicle is in motion. Honda has been investigating the issue since July 2016 and issued a technical service bulletin in December 2017.

The fix: Depending on the individual vehicle, Honda dealerships may repair the hood, install a striker support plate, or even completely replace the hood with a new part. These repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners who have already paid for a related repair should contact their Honda dealership about a reimbursement.

How to contact the manufacturer: Honda will mail notification letters to owners of affected vehicles starting January 17, 2022. Owners may also contact Honda at 888-234-2138.

NHTSA campaign number: 21V932. Honda’s own number for this recall is PBV.

Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA’s website) will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.

If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.

Consider taking a driving course at A-1 if you are interested in learning more rules and regulations, for very useful and informative information to stay safe on the road. This class can be applied to your daily driving practices whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver.

The same safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can be applied to being a safe driver in a car and on a motorcycle!

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.

DUI Involved in Multi-Car Crash

A Marietta man faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol, in connection with a three-car crash.

20-year-old Ivan Gonzalez of Marietta was trying to turn left into the parking lot of 728 Sandtown Road but did not yield to oncoming traffic, and hit another car driven by Jose Galvan-Trejo, 53, of Smyrna, Marietta police said.

After the initial hit, Gonzalez’s car was pushed backward into a third car, driven by Ray Terranova, 55, of Smyrna. Galvan-Trejo was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital with serious injuries, police said.

Gonzalez was arrested on scene and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as serious injury by motor vehicle, driving on a suspended license, CP violations, and failure to yield turning left.

He was booked into the Cobb County jail and police said additional charges may be filed pending the outcome of the investigation.

GEORGIA DUI LAWS:

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.

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

 

Attention New Drivers

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

Teen drivers that 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!

Why Take a Defensive Driving Class?

There are many reasons an individual might elect or be required to take the 6-hour Defensive Driving Class:

Ticket Dismissal

Many Courts in Georgia will dismiss a ticket for a traffic violation if the offender completes the 6-hour Defensive Driving Program prior to going to Court. If dismissed, there will be no points placed on your driving record and your insurance will not increase.

Points Reduction

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.

License Suspension

If your license has been suspended, you must complete the 6-hour Defensive Driving Program before your license is reinstated.

Fine Reduction

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.

Insurance Discounts

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.

Register for Defensive Driving Class  & earn your certificate of completion!

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!

Driving Drowsy is Deadly!

“Drowsy driving is often overlooked in the discussion of the types of behaviors like impaired and distracted driving that cause deadly crashes on our roads,” Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Allen Poole said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 795 people were killed in drowsy driving crashes nationwide.  However, that number is believed to be higher since it is difficult for investigators to determine if drowsiness was the cause of many fatal crashes involving lone drivers.

Teen drivers are considered to be one of the most vulnerable age groups for drowsy driving crashes and a majority of these types of crashes for drivers of all age groups happen overnight, often on rural roads and highways.

Photo: Google Images

It’s not always easy to tell when you’re too tired to drive. Here are some signs that it’s time to pull over:

  • Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids
  • Daydreaming; wandering/disconnected thoughts
  • Trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits or traffic signs
  • Yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes
  • Trouble keeping your head up
  • Drifting from your lane, tailgating, or hitting a shoulder rumble strip
  • Feeling restless and irritable

The same safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can apply to being a safe driver in a car and on a motorcycle. 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!

Ambulance Driver Charged With DUI

An ambulance driver in Georgia killed a dialysis patient after crashing the vehicle while under the influence, police said.

Kevin T. McCorvey was arrested and charged with DUI combination less safe, first-degree homicide by vehicle, failure to maintain lane, and possession of an open container after the crash, the Georgia State Patrol said of the preliminary investigation in a statement.

Photo: Google Images

McCorvey, 34, had been driving a 2007 Ford Econoline Prime Care EMS ambulance on West Campbellton Street in Fairburn when he veered off the west shoulder of the roadway, overturning the vehicle into a ditch.

The driver had been transporting Wilton Thomason Jr., 66, who was found to be unrestrained in the ambulance and suffered fatal injuries, authorities said.

McCorvey was then arrested and taken to Fulton County Jail, the statement said.

According to CNN, McCorvey and a second person who was working in the ambulance were stopped by a Fairburn Police officer who tried to leave the scene in an Uber. Calling GSP troopers for backup, the ambulance driver failed a sobriety test and admitted to “smoking marijuana, taking Adderall and drinking a beer” while driving, per the outlet.

The second person working in the ambulance has not been charged, police said, per CNN.

Bazydlo said blood samples were taken and the results from a toxicology report are still pending.

Georgia State law requires 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 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!