Atlanta Mayor Proposes New Solution to Racing Issue

City of Atlanta

Atlanta, Ga. – Racing has become a serious issue within the City of Atlanta. As a Georgia DUI Attorney, I have written about this issue over the past six months.

Officers with the Atlanta Police Department have reported increasing amounts of racing incidents. The City of Atlanta's most recent solution was to increase the penalties and consequences associated with a racing charge. However, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has recently proposed another solution which is attempting to find a way to provide a safe and legal area for racing to take place.

She has not provided many details, yet, but I am sure more news regarding this proposal is sure to come. In today's post, I will focus on the law behind the offense of laying drags in Georgia.

Laying Drags in Georgia

Laying drags in the state of Georgia is defined by law in O.C.G.A. § 40-6-251(a) as operating a vehicle “in such a manner as to create a danger to persons or property by intentionally and unnecessarily causing the vehicle to move in a zigzag or circular course or to gyrate or spin around.”

There is an exception to the law if the individual lays drag only as a necessary maneuver to avoid a collision, injury, or damage. The law also does not apply to drivers operating vehicles in or on any raceway, drag strip, or similar place customarily and lawfully used for such purposes.

An individual is guilty of a misdemeanor if convicted of laying drag as defined by O.C.G.A. § 40-6-251(a). The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor offense in Georgia is 12 months in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. Additionally, three points will be assessed against your driver's license.  This may lead to a suspension of driving privileges if 15 or more points are accumulated in any 24 month period. For drivers under the age of 18, if four or more points are accumulated in any 12 month period, there will be a six month driver's license suspension.

Practice Note

Laying drags or any other serious traffic violations can lead to investigations for DUI in Georgia. We specialize in the laws behind all of these types of offenses. If you have been arrested, call our offices now.