Category: Driving News

Quantez Alfred Leonard, 34, of Jonesboro, is charged with cocaine trafficking, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and DUI.

Deputies patrolling the interstate spotted a 1999 S-10 pickup truck driving erratically near exit 51, heading southbound.

After making a traffic stop on the truck, deputies observed the smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle and asked the driver to perform a field sobriety test.

Leonard reportedly failed to complete the test and was transported to the Coweta County Jail.

While performing an inventory of the truck, deputies located 41 grams of cocaine located in a lunchbox cooler, along with plastic baggies and a digital scale, according to Lt. Chuck Smith.

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!

Officials say the crash happened on Georgia-400 South near Windsor Parkway around 1 a.m.

According to police, the officer was inside his patrol vehicle fully visible on the right shoulder with his emergency lights on when 24-year-old Khiry Smith ran into him.

Medics rushed the officer to a nearby hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Smith has been charged with DUI, violation of the Georgia Move Over law, open container, and reckless driving.

Move Over Law:

•  The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
  1. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
  2. If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
• Violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.

There is a lot of useful information such as this Move Over Law that is taught in driving 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!

If you were driving on that stretch of highway around 9 a.m. or so, no, your eyes did not deceive you. It really was a cow that you saw running against traffic for reasons nobody is quite clear about.

No, it’s not the first time there’s been a “loose animal” on a Metro Atlanta interstate. This time, it was on Saturday morning on I-285 west, just before Ashford-Dunwoody Road.

Dunwoody police say the cow somehow fell out of a livestock trailer. Police say it took some help from a handful of officers and a citizen with a rope to finally capture the loose cow.

Nearly an hour, things slowly began returning to normal.

There were reports of a crash in the area and at one point, three lanes on the highway were closed. It is not yet clear if the cow was involved or not.

Motor collisions continue to injure and claim the lives of many people every year.

It is recommended that drivers practice defensive driving at all times to avoid collisions!

• Drivers are advised to not drive too closely behind other cars so that they can have more time to maneuver in case those vehicles abruptly come to a stop.
• Drivers should also activate their car signals whenever they decide to change lanes, turn a certain direction, speed up, or slow down.
• Car owners must also carry out regular and proper maintenance of their vehicles.

The same and more 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 schedules call (770)962-9555 or more details can be found on A-1’s official website www.a1drivingschools.com.

According to the police statement released on social media, the patrol officer had stopped another vehicle on the shoulder of the highway near Windsor Parkway and was in his patrol car with emergency lights activated when the crash occurred.

The patrol car was struck by another driver on Ga. 400 just before 1 a.m.

The Georgia Move Over Law requires drivers to move over one lane when possible if:

1. An emergency vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the shoulder of the highway
2. If traffic is too heavy to move over safely, the law requires drivers to slow down below the posted speed limit instead AND to be prepared to stop.

Move Over Law:

•  The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
  1. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
  2. If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
• Violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.

There is a lot of useful information such as this Move Over Law that is taught in driving 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!

Driving as a teen already puts you at an experiential disadvantage. That, combined with distracted driving behaviors, has prompted some alarming statistics.

1. Car crashes are the leading cause of death and disability for teens.
2. 78% of teenage crash deaths in 2019 were passenger vehicle occupants.
3. About 2 of every 3 teenagers killed in crashes in 2019 were males.
4. The risk of fatal crashes goes up in direct relation to the number of teens in a car.
5. 28% of teen crashes in 2019 involved speeding.

Distracted driving is putting more than the driver at risk. Next time you get in the car, limit your exposure to fatalities by doing the following things:

• Wear a Seatbelt. In 2018, the CDC reported that almost half of the teens, ages 16-19, that died in fatal car accidents died while unrestrained.
• Put Your Phone On Do-Not-Disturb
• Don’t Drive Late at Night. Teenage motor vehicle crashes in 2018 were found to occur most commonly between 9:00 PM and midnight.
• Keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and stay safe.

The same and more 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.

If you’re gearing up for driving to and from school every day, these tips should help you protect yourself and those around you!

For more information about schedules call (770)962-9555 or more details can be found on A-1’s official website www.a1drivingschools.com.

The Georgia Department of Driver Services announced a new online feature for Georgia drivers.

According to a spokesperson, motorists can now go online to reinstate driving privileges or pay a citation.

Officials are hoping this will alleviate time as the state grapples with the pandemic.

“As we continue to be vigilant during this emergency period, we recommend using DDS remote services to reinstate your license if possible,” commented Commissioner Moore. “DDS Online Services allows customers to pay fees, reinstate and replace their driver’s license safely and conveniently without visiting in person,” said DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore.

In addition, customers may view, print, or email a list of their specific reinstatement requirements, pay fees and reinstate driving privileges online.

Eligible customers may request that a free replacement of their original license be mailed directly to them, and they can drive on the online receipt until it arrives. Most services are discounted by $5.00 when you use DDS Online Services or DDS 2 GO.

For more information visit www.a1drivingschools.com or call (770) 962-9555!

Gwinnett County announced it would increase wages by $1.90 for all bus driver positions beginning in April, making the hourly range $17.63 to $24.98!

Gwinnett Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks touted the district’s bus drivers who worked through the pandemic delivering meals and eventually transporting limited numbers of students to school.

“The Gwinnett County Board of Education and I know that this has not been an easy time and that our bus drivers have served on the front lines — interacting, caring, and transporting students safely each and every school day,” Wilbanks said. “We have the best bus drivers in the business … that is not something we take for granted and we are pleased to be able to recognize you with this pay raise in April.”

A district spokesperson said Gwinnett bus drivers also will be eligible to receive any cost of living increase and longevity step increase for the 2021-22 school year.

The district said interested candidates can submit an application at www.GCPSJobs.Org/Drivers if they are 21-and-older, have a clean driving record, and high school diploma or GED.

To combat careless driving in school zones and bus routes, law enforcement has increased between 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Always Stop for a School Bus, when…

1. Approaching behind a school bus when its’ lights flash yellow and red.
2. Driving on either side of a 2-lane highway, both sides of traffic must always stop! for a stopped school bus.

Never Stop for a School Bus, when…

1. Driving on the opposite side of traffic, on a 4-lane highway.

This is the common mistake most motorists make when approaching a stopped school bus.

If you are driving on the opposite side of the traffic of a school bus, on a 4-lane highway, always proceed with caution, but always keep moving! Stopping will impede traffic and may cause accidents.

For more safe driving information or safe driving practices, A-1 Driving Schools has 19 convenient locations around metro Atlanta that all offer defensive driving courses!

For more information please call (770)962-9555 or visit us at www.a1drivingschools.com!