Driver Drives Wrong Way on Georgia Interstate Causing Multi-Vehicle Crash

According to traffic reports out of Cherokee County last week, a wrong way driver on I-575 caused a four vehicle wreck that shut down the southbound lanes for over an hour.

The wrong-way driver's identity has remained unreleased. It is also unknown as to how long he was driving northbound on the southbound side of I-575 before the collisions.

The driver is currently recovering at a local hospital.

Each state has its own roadway rules that are legalized in statutes. In today's post, I will review one of the most commons laws outlining the rules of the road in Georgia.

Rules of the Road in Georgia

In O.C.G.A. §40-6-40, the Georgia Code outlines some of the Uniform Rules of the Road here in Georgia. In reference to the story above, the law lays out what rules should be governed surrounding what side of the roadway a driver should operate a motor vehicle.

The law is as follows:

(a) Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;

(2) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway, provided that any person so doing shall yield the right of way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such a distance as to constitute an immediate hazard;

(3) Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or

(4) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.

The law goes on to state that any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

Furthermore, any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center of the roadway except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes or except as permitted under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section. However, this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center of the roadway in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or driveway.

And finally, no two vehicles shall impede the normal flow of traffic by traveling side by side at the same time while in adjacent lanes, provided that this Code section shall not be construed to prevent vehicles traveling side by side in adjacent lanes because of congested traffic conditions.

Practice Note

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I frequently write about how cases of DUI in Georgia are frequently accompanied by other traffic violations. Now the story above has not been reported as a driving under the influence case, however, if drugs or alcohol are deemed to be apart of the equation as to why the driver was on the wrong side of the highway, then DUI will become a part of the charges.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI, contact our offices today. A Georgia DUI Attorney can help you now.