GEORGIA TRAFFIC OFFENSES

Macon GA Traffic Defense Lawyer

Georgia driving laws were enacted to prevent unsafe driving and to keep the roads safe. Driving is a privilege and not a right. The government can take back you license if you violate driving laws in Georgia. If you have been ticketed or charged with a traffic crime, contact an experienced Georgia traffic attorney. An experienced traffic attorney can help you deal with the complex Georgia traffic laws.

Moving and non-moving violations

Moving violations are directly related to driving like speeding, running a red light or failing to yield to a driver who has the right of way. Non-moving violations are other violations like wring parking, no headlights, etc.

The Point System

Under the points system, drivers are assigned certain number of points based on the violations. This system is designed to make the roads safe and to keep dangerous drivers off the road. The license is suspended if the accumulated points exceed a pre-determined limit. Points accrued in other states are also counted when calculating the accumulated pointed. Your license will be automatically suspended if you accumulate 15 points over a 24 month period.

The following schedule indicates the points you accumulate for various traffic violations in Georgia:

• 15-19 MPH over the speed limit: 2 points
• 19-24 MPH over the speed limit: 3 points
• 24-34 MPH over the speed limit: 4 points
• 34 MPH or higher over the speed limit: 6 points

• Illegally passing a school bus: 6 points
• Aggressive driving: 6 points
• Failure to secure an infant or child: 1 point for the first offense, 2 points for the second offense
• Driving with an open alcoholic container: 2 points
• Failure to secure a load: 2 points
• Failure to follow a traffic signal or command by an officer: 3 points
• Illegal passing: 4 points
• Reckless driving: 4 points

To know more about the points system in Georgia, contact an experienced Macon Georgia traffic attorney.

The license of a driver under 18 will be suspended if he or she accumulates four points. Certain charges including speeding, running a red light or failing to yield to a driver who has the right of way can result in automatic suspension of the license if the driver is under 21.

Get back your suspended license.

Many factors including the number of points and any repeat offenses determine the period of suspension of your license. It could be fairly short or really long. If your licensed is suspended, an experienced Georgia traffic attorney can get you permission to drive to and from work.

Fleeing & Eluding

If a police officer orders you to stop, you are required by law to stop. If you do not stop, you will be guilty of fleeing and eluding. You are required by law to stop when the officer driving behind you activates his or her lights and siren.

If the road is dark, you can drive to a well light place before stopping. The police car must be clearly marked and the office must display a badge so that you can identify him or her as a police officer. If you are pulled over by an unmarked car, you can call 911 to confirm before stopping.

Fleeing and eluding is a criminal offence. Simple fleeing and eluding is a misdemeanor.

Fines for fleeing and eluding

• First conviction - $300 to $5000
• Second conviction within a five year period - $500 to $5000
• Third conviction within a five year period - $500 to $500

You will be committing a felony if you drive 10 miles over the speed limit while fleeing. You could face a prison term of one to five years. Even if you are driving well within the speed limit but injure someone or leave the state of Georgia while fleeing, you will be committing a felony.

Aggressive driving

Engaging in unsafe driving practices including weaving in and out of traffic, driving at an excessive speed, driving too fast for the conditions, or failing to yield to other vehicles that have the right of way can result in you being charged for aggressive driving, a serious offense which attracts heavy fines. In addition to heavy fines, you may you may have to pay more for car insurance, or even have your insurance revoked.  A conviction for aggressive driving can accumulate 6 points on your license.

Driving on a suspended license

Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in most states including Georgia. You may have to spend a few days in jail if you are convicted of driving on a suspended license. When you move to a new state, your old license will be valid for a few days only. You must obtain a new license within those days. Once those days are over, your old license will be invalid. If you continue to drive using your old license, you will be committing a crime. You will not be allowed to get a limited-use permit to drive to and from work or school if you are convicted of driving on a suspended license.

Penalties for driving on a suspended license

If you have been convicted for the first time, you face a 2 day prison term plus fine of at least $500 plus additional six month suspension of your license over the current suspension. You may have to take a defensive driving test and pay license reinstatement fees. If you are convicted for a second time within a five year period, you face a ten day prison term plus fines ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. More time will be added to the current suspension. If you are convicted for a third time within a five year period, you will be labeled a habitual violator and you could loose your license for two years.

Driving without a license

It is illegal to drive without a license in the state of Georgia - whether it was revoked, suspended or you never got on in the first place.

Driving without insurance

Driving without insurance is an offense and you can loose your license for 60 to 90 days.

Leaving the scene of an accident

If you are involved in an accident and you leave the scene, you may be committing a crime. You have to follow certain procedures. If there are injuries, you must report the accident to the police and wait for the police to complete the formalities. You should also call for an ambulance or the paramedics. If someone dies as a result of an accident, you can face felony hit and run charges if you leave the scene before police arrive, even if you didn’t cause the accident.

You must reasonable effort to contact the owner of any property damaged in the accident.

Reckless driving

If your driving violation is so severe that it endangers the lives of others, you will be charged with reckless driving. Reckless driving includes excessive speeding, veering in and out of traffic or any of a number of other driving violations if your violation is so severe others were put in danger. Reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor which can result in a fine up to $1000 and prison term of a year. You will accumulate points on your license and risk loosing your insurance.

Road rage

Inappropriate gestures or behavior that is aggressive in nature but not illegal in itself is referred to as road rage. Making obscene gestures, tailgating, trying to cut someone off in traffic, excessive horn honking or light flashing or shouting matches are all examples of road rage. Road rage although not illegal in itself can result in moving violations or even arrest.

Protect Your Rights - Call a Macon GA Criminal Lawyer Now

Our traffic defense attorneys are based in Macon, Georgia – GA.  From our Macon offices, we help clients in Macon, Warner Robins, Roberta, Forsyth, Byron-Centerville, Culloden, Fort Valley, Haddock, Jeffersonville, Lizella, Perry, Gray, Irwinton, Milledgeville and Vienna including Bibb County, Monroe County, Jones County, Crawford County, Peach County, Twiggs County, Baldwin County, Dooly County, Houston County and also Wesleyan College, Macon State College and Mercer University charged with driving law violations.

If you are located in Macon GA area, then contact us if you have been charged with a vehicle crimeor traffic offense in Georgia.  We can help you fight your driving law violation case. Call (phone).