Category: Driving News

Here are some tips to winterize your car:

• Test your battery; battery power drops as the temperature drops
• Make sure the cooling system is in good working order
• Have winter tires with a deeper, more flexible tread put on your car
• If using all-season tires, check the tread on your tires and replace if less than 2/32 of an inch
• Check the tire pressure; tire pressure drops as the temperature drops
• Check your wiper blades and replace if needed
• Add wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze
  

  How to Avoid a Crash: One of the most important winter driving tips: accelerate and decelerate slowly. Mashing your foot down on the gas or the brake while driving in snow can cause your car to lose traction and you to lose control…

  • Avoid using cruise control in wintry conditions
  • Steer in the direction of a skid, so when your wheels regain traction, you don’t have to overcorrect to stay in your lane
  • Accelerate and decelerate slowly
  • Increase following distance to 8 to 10 seconds
  • If possible, don’t stop when going uphill

There is a lot of very useful and informative information 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!

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!

A 19-year-old Rockmart woman, Alyssa Jackson, has been charged with DUI after a wreck that sent her and three others, including a juvenile boy, to the hospital with serious injuries.

Reports said Jackson was driving her Nissan Sentra south on Shiflett Road when her car left the shoulder and went down an embankment, flipped numerous times, and landed on the hood.  The vehicle came to a stop near a driveway at 6390 Rockmart Road.

The front seat passenger, Malorie Bradfield, 19 of Rockmart, was sent to a local hospital with serious injuries. She is listed in stable condition.

A backseat passenger, Aaron Tanner, was taken to Floyd Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition Monday.

Reports went on to say that a 16-year-old male juvenile was airlifted to Scottish Rite hospital in Atlanta with life-threatening injuries.

Both males were ejected.

Jackson has been treated and released from Floyd Medical Center.

Jackson was charged with DUI.  Additional charges are pending.

Georgia State law also 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!

What To Do If An Animal Runs In Front Of Your Vehicle

• Scan the road and shoulders ahead of you.
  • Looking ahead helps provide enough reaction time if an animal is spotted.
  • Also, remember some animals move in groups, so when there is one, there are usually more in the area.
• Use high-beam headlights if there’s no oncoming traffic.
  • Wildlife may be spotted sooner when using high beams. This will give the driver time to slow down, move over or honk the horn to scare the animal away.
  • High beams also help in spotting some animals’ reflective eyes.
• If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes firmly and remain in your lane. 
  • Swerving to avoid an animal can often cause a more serious crash or result in drivers losing control of vehicles.
• Be extra cautious at dawn and dusk.
  • Most animals, especially deer, tend to be more active early in the morning and at dusk.
• Slow down and use extra caution when traveling through areas with a high and active wildlife population.  
  • Be aware of increased wildlife movement in some regions during certain times of the year, such as hunting or mating season.
• Drivers should always wear a seat belt and remain awake, alert, and sober. 

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!

Penalties for DUI in Georgia are related to the number of prior offenses:

When someone has a first DUI in Georgia they face the following potential penalties:

• 12 months of probation
• A minimum fine of $300 plus court costs and surcharges
• Between 1 – 10 days in jail, which many times can be waived
• At least 40 hours of community service
• Substance abuse counseling
• Attendance of the DUI Risk Reduction School (commonly referred to as DUI School)
• Attendance of a Madd Mothers Victim Impact Panel
• Drivers License Suspension, with a limited permit to drive

When someone has a second DUI in Georgia, they face the following potential penalties:

• Between 12 – 36 months of probation
• Fines of between $600 – $1000, plus all applicable surcharges and court costs
• Between 90 days – 12 months in jail, all of which can be done through probation except for at least 3 days that must be served in jail.
• 30 days of community service (240 hours)
• DUI School
• Driver’s License Suspension
• Red stripe on license
• Installing of an ignition interlock device, after a “hard license suspension” of 120 days
• Surrender of license plate
• Mandatory substance abuse counseling
• Potential DUI Court, in jurim
• Photo publication in the legal organ of the county in which the offense occured

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 from 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!

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!

Defensive Driving is perfect for:

1. Ticket dismissals
2. Points and fine reduction
3. Insurance discounts
4. License suspension reinstatement

Each student will receive a Certificate of Completion!

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

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

Justin Michael Voss, 33, was taken into custody in Dawson County on one count of DUI on Friday, Jan. 1, according to Georgia State Patrol SFC Curtis Bradshaw.

The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office was conducting a road check at that location, and according to authorities, Voss almost drove through that road check.

Dawson County deputies flagged Voss down and performed an investigation after smelling what appeared to be alcohol.

After conducting the investigation, the Georgia State Trooper determined that Voss had been driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office was notified of Voss’s arrest and is conducting an internal affairs investigation. According to Stacie Miller, a spokeswoman with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia P.O.S.T. has been notified of the arrest.

“The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office takes DUI’s very seriously,” Miller said. “We have run several awareness campaigns throughout the year with messages stressing there are no warnings for DUI, because when you drive drunk, you put your life and other lives in jeopardy.”

He was placed on was put on administrative leave soon after.

The next step for Voss is to complete 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 his driver’s license can be reinstated since he has been charged with one 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!