Knowing The Rules Of The Road Will Help You Drive Safer
Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Advises That Knowing The Rules Of The Road Will Help You Drive Safer
Georgia law has many rules in place to make driving safer for the public. Some of the laws may seem random or unnecessary. However, every driver must follow them. Failing to adhere to the law can have adverse consequences. The obvious result is being cited for breaking the law. Law enforcement officers in Georgia have the responsibility to enforce the state's traffic laws. Not only will the motorist face a possible court appearance with a fine or a potential jail sentence for breaking the traffic laws, but the motorist could also face collateral problems like license suspension and additional points on vehicle insurance.
Failing to follow the rules of the road may prevent an accident victim from recovering any compensation. Under Georgia law, if a person was negligent and could have avoided the accident but for their own negligence, then they cannot recover if the person was 50% at fault or more. If however, the crash could not be avoided then the claim must be reduced by the amount of negligence attributed to the injured party as long as the injured person's negligence was less than that of the person who caused the accident.
According to a survey conducted by the Savannah Morning News, there are approximately ten Georgia traffic laws many drivers either were unaware existed or that they misunderstood. Georgia drivers must keep these lesser-known rules in mind when driving. Following them may prevent a car crash and save them much hardship in the future:
For instance:
- Georgia has a law known as the "Slowpoke Law." This rule authorizes police to cite motorists who are driving in the left lane if faster drivers want to pass despite adhering to the speed limit. The law was designed to free up traffic on Georgia's interstates by compelling people to move over. The collateral effect might be to reduce road rage due to frustration caused by people refusing to yield to swifter drivers.
- Georgia's "Move Over Law" includes making room for more vehicles than police, fire, or ambulance. The law also covers Georgia Department of Transportation vehicles, dump trucks, and wrecker service vehicles.
- The center lane of a divided highway is not for merging; it is for turning only.
- Wearing headphones in both ears while driving is prohibited. Georgia drivers may use only one earphone.
- No one is allowed to have an open alcohol container in the vehicle. This prohibition includes the passengers.
- Drivers must turn on their headlights if rain is falling. Daytime running lights may be insufficient because those lights do not necessarily also turn on the rear-facing running lights. Only turning on the headlamps will illuminate the rear lights.
- All intersections with traffic control lights become 4-way stop intersections if the traffic control lights go out. In such situations, 4-way stops obligate all drivers to come to a complete stop. The driver who arrived first has the right of way.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!
If you have been injured because of someone else's negligence, do not delay in seeking legal assistance as you have a limited amount of time to pursue a claim. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law for your free consultation today. Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour live chat.
Sources:
http://savannahnow.com/news/2015-07-09/11-georgia-laws-drivers-don-t-know-exist
O.G.C.A. §51-11-7
Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
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Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
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