Page 30 - Georgia Drivers Manual 2020

5SECTION : TRAFFIC LAWS

Other Laws Racing Trucks and Vehicles Pulling Trailers
The following behaviors are considered rac- When traveling upon a roadway outside
Controlled-Access Roadways
• You are prohibited from entering or leaving ing on highways and streets: of a business or residential district, drivers of
• When two or more people compete or race trucks and vehicles pulling trailers must leave
any controlled-access roadway at unauthor- sufficient space between themselves and other
ized entrances or exits; on any street or highway; vehicles of the same kind, so that the driver of
• Certain types of vehicles may be prohibited • When one motor vehicle is beside or to the an overtaking vehicle can enter and occupy
on controlled-access roadways if signs are the space without danger. This law prohibits
posted to this effect; rear of another driver, and one driver tries to the act commonly known as “caravanning.”
• Backing up is prohibited on controlled- prevent the passing or overtaking of the com-
access roadways. peting driver by acceleration or maneuver; or Trailers wider than 8 feet, 6 inches are not
• An example of a controlled-access roadway • When one or more persons compete in a permitted on Georgia’s highways.
includes any tolled facility in Georgia such race against time. Riding in Trailers
as the I-85 Express Lanes or the reversible In Georgia it is unlawful to drag race. The
I-75 Express Lanes. Tolled lanes in Geor- penalties for committing this violation may Riding in a house trailer, or any other ve-
gia require motorists to mount a registered include imprisonment and fines, and all driv- hicular drawn trailer, is not allowed while
Peach Pass transponder in their vehicle in ing privileges will be suspended if you are it is being moved upon a street or highway.
order to access the lanes. Peach Pass can convicted. There is a high likelihood of injury or death if
also be used in Florida and North Carolina. passengers are unrestrained in the trailer and
Registered owners of the vehicle that enters Aggressive Driving the vehicle is involved in a crash or the trailer
the tolled lane without an active Peach Pass • A person commits the offense of aggres- becomes disconnected from the vehicle.
will receive a violation notice in the mail. Median Strip
• You are prohibited from entering the revers- sive driving when he or she operates any
ible Express Lanes when the access control motor vehicle with the intent to annoy, ha- It is unlawful to drive across a dividing sec-
gates are closed or closing. rass, molest, intimidate, injure, or obstruct tion, barrier, or unpaved strip which separates
another person; two roadways at any point other than at an
Coasting • Examples of aggressive driving include but authorized opening or crossover.
The driver of any motor vehicle, when trav- are not limited to tailgating, cutting in front
of another driver, blocking other drivers Impaired Hearing and Vision
eling down a hill, must not coast with the gears from passing or changing lanes, etc. It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle
or transmission of the vehicle in neutral. • A conviction for aggressive driving is con-
sidered a misdemeanor of a high and ag- while wearing a headphone, headset, or any
Driving Under the Influence gravated nature; other device which would impair the driver’s
of Drugs or Alcohol • The penalty for committing this violation ability to hear. Also, the driver must not wear
• It is unlawful for any person to operate a may include imprisonment, fines, and, if the anyt­hing which would obstruct his or her vi-
driver is under 21 years of age, conviction sion while driving a motor vehicle. Not only is
motor vehicle while under the influence of will result in a suspension of all driving wearing these devices illegal, it is also unsafe.
alcohol, a drug (prescription or illegal), or privileges. Obstructing the Driver’s View
any other substance which impairs his/her
ability to safely do so; Hands Free Georgia Law (HB 673) If a vehicle is overloaded with passengers or
• A person 21 or more years of age is consid- Effective July 1, 2018, pursuant to 40-6-241(c), freight so as to obstruct the view of the driver
ered “Under the Influence of Alcohol” when or interfere with the mechanical operation,
0.08 gm or more by alcohol weight is present all drivers operating a motor vehicle on any it cannot be legally driven. Passengers must
in the blood; highway of this state are prohibited from: not ride in a position that interferes with the
• A person under 21 years of age is irrefutably • Holding or supporting, with any part of the driver’s view or his or her control of the vehicle.
considered “Under the Influence of Alcohol” Opening Vehicle Doors
when 0.02 gm or more by alcohol weight is body, a wireless telecommunications device
present in the blood; or stand-alone electronic device. Opening the doors of a vehicle on the side on
Certain drugs or other substances can also • Writing, sending or reading any text-based which traffic is moving is prohibited unless it is
make a person irrefutably “under the influ- communication, including a text message, safe to do so and unless it can be done without
ence.” Having a prescription for certain medi- instant message, e-mail or internet data. interfering with the movement of other traffic,
cation is not a defense if the medication impairs • Watching, recording, or broadcasting a video including bicyclists that may be operating close
your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. or movie. to the lane of parked cars.
Penalties for driving under the influence of One Way Streets
intoxicants are severe, with fines up to $1000, Penalties:
jail sentences up to 12 months, and mandatory • 1st conviction – 1 point and fine not more Unless directed to by a traffic control device,
suspension of your driving privileges. authorized emergency personnel or construc-
than $50.00 tion workers, it is unlawful for a vehicle to be
Reckless Driving • 2nd conviction – 2 points and fine not more driven contrary to the direction posted on a
Reckless driving is defined as driving any one-way street or highway, except in situations
than $100.00 where police vehicles or authorized emergency
vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety • 3rd or more convictions – 3 points and fine vehicles find it necessary to do so.
of persons or property. Examples of reckless Stopping
driving include but are not limited to speed- nor more than $150.00
ing, weaving in and out of traffic, improperly When stopping or slowing down suddenly,
passing, etc. Penalties for reckless driving can Following Emergency Vehicles the proper hand, arm, or brake operated stop
include a fine of up to $1000, imprisonment for The driver of any vehicle, other than one signal must be given.
up to 12 months, and, if the driver is under 21
years of age, conviction will result in a suspen- on official business, must not follow any fire
sion of all driving privileges. fight­ing apparatus traveling in response to a
fire alarm, or other emergency vehicles, closer
than 200 feet, or park any vehicle within 500
feet of any fire apparatus stopped in answer
to a fire alarm.

28 2019-2020 DRIVERS MANUAL