Georgia Traffic Warnings for the 4th of July

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer as well as a Georgia resident, I am very familiar with just how bad the traffic conditions are in the Metro Atlanta Area. Unfortunately, for us locals, it gets exponentially worse with any kind of holiday traffic.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution released an article this past week on what are estimated as to be the absolute “worst times to drive” during the upcoming long holiday weekend.

According to the American Automobile Association, close to 49 million Americans have travel plans for the 4th of July weekend this year. Out of that 49 million, 41.4 million will be driving to their vacation destinations. Commutes are expected to be at least four times slower than normal.

In Atlanta, reports show that the worst time to travel will be on Friday between 5:00 and 7:00pm. We are facing delays as much as 2.5 times of the normal Friday traffic disaster.

With holiday traffic, there will be an increase in both traffic violations as well as police monitoring of roads. The end result is unfortunately more accidents and, of course, more arrests. These arrests range from drug possession to obstruction to DUI in Georgia.

Advice from a DUI Lawyer

In today's post, my goal is to reiterate what has most likely been told to people over and over again - do not drink and drive. Tolerance for DUI in Georgia is already extremely low in comparison to other states. We have some of the strictest laws in the country regarding driving under the influence.

The Georgia Code outlines the law surrounding DUI in O.C.G.A. §40-6-391. The law is as follows:

(a) A person shall not drive or be in actual physical control of any moving vehicle while:

(1) Under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive;

(2) Under the influence of any drug to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive;

(3) Under the intentional influence of any glue, aerosol, or other toxic vapor to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive;

(4) Under the combined influence of any two or more of the substances specified in paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive;

(5) The person's alcohol concentration is 0.08 grams or more at any time within three hours after such driving or being in actual physical control from alcohol consumed before such driving or being in actual physical control ended; or

(6) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Code section, there is any amount of marijuana or a controlled substance, as defined in Code Section 16-13-21, present in the person's blood or urine, or both, including the metabolites and derivatives of each or both without regard to whether or not any alcohol is present in the person's breath or blood.

Practice Note

Again, my advice is to never drink and drive. However, there are times that drivers make mistakes and falsely believe that they are okay to get behind the wheel. There are also times that drivers are wrongfully accused of driving under the influence and arrested.

Regardless of the circumstances, if you or a loved one have been arrested, contact our offices today. A Georgia DUI Attorney can help you now.