Category: Driving News

Henry Ruggs III, 22, and his passenger were hospitalized with unspecified injuries that police said did not appear life-threatening after the Chevrolet Corvette he was driving slammed at high speed into the rear of a Toyota Rav4 on a busy thoroughfare in a residential area several miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.

The Toyota burst into flames and the driver and her dog died, police said. The woman was not immediately identified.

Police are prohibited by federal privacy law from disclosing medical information, said Officer Larry Hadfield, a department spokesman.

Ruggs faces felony charges of driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in death and reckless driving, court records show.

Ruggs’ attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, said they are investigating the crash on behalf of their client “and ask everyone to reserve judgment until all the facts are gathered.”

Chesnoff declined additional comment after Ruggs was released from University Medical Center and booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

The Raiders released a statement saying the team was aware of the crash, “devastated by the loss of life,” and “in the process of gathering information.” It said the team’s thoughts and prayers went out to the victim’s family and that there would be no additional comment.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of those involved in this fatal accident.

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!

Bicyclist fatalities have been rising in the past decade, as have those involving pedestrians.

Experts blame aggressive drivers, more speeding, and an increase in distracted driving, largely caused by cell phone use. About eight people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that involve a distracted driver, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2019, the latest year for which data is available, 846 bicyclists were killed and 49,000 were injured in traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which collects data from police reports. The fatalities in urban areas rose by 49% since 2010.

The CDC estimated that more than 143,000 bicyclists visited emergency rooms in 2019 because of a vehicle-related incident.

A combination of consistent education, regard for traffic laws, and basic common sense can go a long way in helping reduce the number of fatalities involved in motorcycle accidents on a yearly basis. It’s important to understand some basic bicycle safety tips to make sure your next ride is a safe one.

Safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can be applied 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!

Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office officials said a dump truck driver has been arrested in connection with a six-vehicle wreck that snarled traffic on Ga. 400’s northbound lane near Exit 17.

Officials said Jimmy Smith, 52, of Acworth, was charged with causing serious injury by vehicle, DUI drugs, driving too fast for conditions, and following too closely after the wreck. One person involved in the crash remains in the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and all others were released with minor injuries.

We, at A-1, are glad that this did not become a fatal accident, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved. 

According to information from the Sheriff’s Office, “all vehicles were slowing or stopped due to traffic, however, the dump truck showed no signs of braking until he hit the first vehicle.”

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 form 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!

Speeding is more than just breaking the law. The consequences are far-ranging:

• Greater potential for loss of vehicle control;
• Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment;
• Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger;
• Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries;
• Economic implications of a speed-related crash; and
• Increased fuel consumption/cost.

Speeding behavior and aggressive drivers may not only affect the speeder—it can also affect other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Here are some tips for encountering speeders on the road: 

• Give speeding drivers plenty of space. Speeding drivers may lose control of their vehicles more easily.
• Adjust your driving accordingly. Speeding is tied to aggressive driving. If a speeding driver is tailgating you or trying to engage you in risky driving, use judgment to safely steer your vehicle out of the way.
• Call the police if you believe a driver is following you or harassing you.

To stay safe on the road consider taking a defensive driving class. A-1 offers classes virtually and at 19 locations where you can learn more tricks and tips such as these!

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.

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 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!

Though most city roads have the provision of zebra crossing near traffic signals and other intersections, drivers seem to show a disregard for them as they can often be seen violating norms.

At places where zebra crossings are available, vehicles are required to be stopped behind them but at most such places, vehicles can be seen standing on these lines, which hardly leaves any place for pedestrians to cross.

“People do not have the habit of following simple traffic etiquette or maybe they are not even aware. There is a need to impart education on traffic etiquette so that people start following the rules,” said an elderly Jagjit Singh.

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.

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!

Athens-Clarke police announced they have identified the man they believe was driving a car that hit and killed a University of Georgia student.

Police are trying to locate

the suspect, Donterris Gresham, 29, of Athens. Warrants have been obtained charging him with first-degree vehicular homicide, hit and run involving death, failure to obey a traffic device, traveling too fast for conditions, and driving while unlicensed.

The crash claimed the life of 20-year-old Ariana Zarse, a junior majoring in marketing at the Terry College of Business.

Our condolences go to the family and friends of Ariana.

Her death marks Athens’ 20th fatal motor vehicle crash this year.

The hit-and-run occurred near the railroad crossing on East Broad Street just east of Foundry Street, according to police. The gray Honda Accord was traveling west into downtown Athens when Zarse, of Austin, Texas, was hit, police said.

The Honda fled the scene, according to police.

Zarse was walking with a friend, who was not struck, the report said.

A police officer responding to the crash scene was traveling on North Avenue when witnesses flagged him over about a car that sounded like it was scraping the ground, Barnett said.

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.

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!