University of Georgia sophomore running back James Cook was arrested for having an open container of alcohol after police found an unsealed 1.75 liter glass bottle of Hennessy Cognac behind the driver’s seat of the 2017 Dodge Charger he was driving.

A Bulldog offensive lineman was in the passenger seat next to Cook when the vehicle was pulled over, according to an Athens Clarke-County police report.

An officer patrolling on East Clayton Street observed the vehicle’s dealer tag, but could not see the expiration date. When the police moved behind the vehicle, Cook changed lanes.

The officer felt “the driver was attempting to evade me checking the temporary tag,” the report noted. The car pulled into a handicapped space and police noticed that the temporary tag number indicated an unknown insurance status.

After he was pulled over, Cook told the officer he did not have his driver’s license and he was a Georgia football player. The officer later learned Cook’s license was invalid.

The officer smelled burned marijuana, the report noted. Cook said there wasn’t any marijuana in the vehicle because he smoked it.

However, a marijuana “shake” was seen on the center console, according to the report.

Cook is Georgia’s fourth-leading rusher. Coach Kirby Smart and the school have yet to comment on Cook’s arrest.

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 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.

Cook will be able to complete the following at A-1’s Athens location.

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

14 people in Georgia, including two in southwest Georgia, lost their lives in traffic crashes over the just-completed 54-hour Christmas holiday travel period, according to reports by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

That number was down significantly from the Christmas 2018 travel period when 26 people were killed on Georgia roadways. The 2018 travel period, however, was more than twice as long, covering 126 hours from 6 p.m. Dec. 21, a Friday, until midnight on Dec. 26, a Wednesday.

This year’s Christmas travel period, as recognized by the state’s DPS, opened at 6 p.m. Tuesday and ended Thursday night at midnight.

Police say the ATV driver was traveling east and tried to go around a car. The fire engine was traveling west. The fire engine had its lights and sirens activated at the time of the crash.

The driver of an all-terrain vehicle involved in a head-on collision with a fire engine in Georgia on Christmas has died.

No firefighters were physically injured.

Police say the ATV driver wasn’t wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials haven’t released his identity.

While that requires you to check local regulations, generally an ATV or UTV in Georgia must remain on designated roads, trails or in designated areas marked specifically for off-road vehicle use.

There are specific areas in Georgia where riders are permitted to operate an ATV or UTV without a driver’s license.  These areas are specially designated and the driver must be accompanied by a licensed adult.  Outside of these areas, you must have a valid driver’s license to operate an ATV or UTV on public land in Georgia.

You are not permitted to operate ATVs or UTVs on public streets in Georgia.

Consider taking a driving course at A-1 if you are interested in learning more rules and regulations such as these. 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.

The same 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!

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!

Law enforcement is warning drivers before hitting the road on New Year’s that this holiday is one of the most dangerous for commuters.

There will be a huge show of force to deter drunk drivers from putting yours or their own life in danger.

in 2018, nearly 4,000 Southwest Floridians drove drunk, and half of those in Lee County. But, there is no excuse and the potential costs are too great.

“It’s so silly to get a DUI when there’s the advantage of taking a Lift or Uber…I mean it’s just crazy,” said Naples resident Ann Quigle.

Local attorney, Peter Dennis tells us including lawyers, insurance, DUI school, altogether you are looking at around 10-thousand dollars if you are caught drinking and behind the wheel.

All of that compared to Uber surge pricing, which could be a couple of hundred dollars, depending on the length of your trip. While that may seem like a lot, local drivers say spending the extra money is worth it.

All motorists can use the following tips to stay safe, focused, sober and patient while traveling:

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!

From everyone here at A-1’s Driving School, we would like to wish everyone a safe, festive holiday! 

The Georgia State Patrol post in Gainesville issued 200 citations during the New Year holiday period, and local law enforcement made at least 11 DUI arrests.

Georgia State Patrol Gainesville Post Commander Auston Allen said the post made two DUI arrests. The post had an average of 11 troopers working each day.

Allen did not specify what type of offenses led to the most citations during the holiday period.

According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office online database, six DUI arrests were made between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

The hotspots for arrests and citations included: Interstate 985/Ga. 365, McEver Road, Martin Road, Winder Highway, Talmo Road, Cleveland Highway, Athens Highway, Clarks Bridge Road, Memorial Park Road, Thompson Bridge Road and Candler Highway.

Hall County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Derreck Booth said there were eight traffic units on Dec. 31 and two units on Jan. 1.

The Sheriff’s Office did not issue a jail log Jan. 2, citing its change to the online database system.

A-1 Driving School in Gainesville

Hours of Operation: Tuesday thru Thursday 10:30am to 6:00pm Friday 10:30am to 7:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm

Why A-1 Driving School in Gainsville?

The Gainesville location of A-1 Driving School is located at the corner of Jesse Jewel Parkway and Queen City Parkway. A-1 Driving School offers the Gainesville DUI School – Risk Reduction Program, Defensive Driving Program, and Teen/Adult Driver’s Education Program.

Gainesville DUI/Risk Reduction Class

Our DUI course is a 20-hour course and is offered every week. The Gainesville DUI School class – Risk Reduction course consists of the Assessment and a 20 hour class. The Assessment must be completed before the class is taken and will take between 25 and 45 minutes. The cost of the Gainesville program is $360 and is set by the State.

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

The driver of the school bus that crashed near Chattanooga has been arrested and charged with five counts of vehicular manslaughter.

Johnthony Walker, 24, is in custody.

The district’s attorney’s office has confirmed six elementary students in Chattanooga have died and many more are hurt after the school bus they were on crashed and wrapped around a tree.

The severity of the others’ injuries has not yet been reported.

Thirty-five students were on the bus at the time of the crash, WDEF reported.

Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher had said 23 of them have been taken to the hospital, but there may be more kids hurt, as crews were still working on rescuing people who were trapped.

Everyone has since been freed from the bus, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.

It is unclear at this time what led to the crash, but police said the bus driver is cooperating with them.

The school district said it is bringing in extra counselors to offer support.

Here are some common rule of always stopping for a stopped school bus is not always correct:

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.

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

All persons involved in the accident were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center,” the sheriff stated. “Sadly, one student succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.”

The Georgia State Patrol has since identified the deceased driver as 17-year-old Carlos Christo Morales of Baldwin. The GSP reports that Morales was riding with his brother and cousin in a Ford F-150 pickup truck when a Jeep Cherokee crossed the center line and ran into them head-on.

The other driver, Cherrie Pulido of Mt. Airy, now faces charges of driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane, failure to exercise due care, tire requirements and homicide by vehicle in the first degree.

She will be booked into the jail when released from the hospital, however, a spokesperson for the GSP said that she is being treated for serious injuries.

The other two teens who were riding with Morales, both 15 years old, didn’t have any serious or life-threatening injuries according to the trooper who filed the report.

The sheriff added that his office and the school system have put into place a support system for students, faculty, and staff following the tragic news.

Habersham Central High School counselors will be visiting classes of the three students who died to inform them of the tragedy and offer “support passes” to allow them to leave class or be excused to meet with counselors. Counselors will also be stationed in the staff development room at the high school to provide services to any students, faculty or staff.

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!

Our condolences go to the family and friends of Carlos Morales, along with those impacted by this tragic accident.