Gwinnett County Man Involved in Two Different High-Speed Chases

Michael Binette was allegedly involved in two different high-speed chases in Gwinnett County. According to reports, Binette chased a car of teenagers who have accused him of ramming into the back of their vehicle. The teenagers led Binette to the police department and that was the beginning of the second chase.

Police chased Binette's vehicle once he fled the scene at the police department. He was allegedly going over 70 MPH on back roads and going the wrong direction on a one way street.

Binette is possibly facing the following charges:

• Following Too Closely in Georgia
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer in Georgia
• Too Fast for Conditions in Georgia
• Speeding in Georgia
• Reckless Driving in Georgia

These are just a few of the charges that Binette could possibly be facing. According to reports, he's facing multiple felony charges.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will focus on the offense of following too closely in Georgia in today's post.

Following Too Closely in Georgia

A following too closely charge usually happens when there is a rear-end collision. It's commonly the default citation in a rear-end accident.
The Georgia Code defines the offense of following too closely:

(a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.

(b) The driver of any motor vehicle which is drawing another vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residential district and which is following another motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger, except that this shall not prevent a motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing any like vehicle or other vehicle.

(c) Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residential district in a caravan or motorcade whether or not towing other vehicles shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This subsection shall not apply to funeral processions, parades, or other groups of vehicles if such groups of vehicles are under the supervision and control of a law enforcement agency.

(d) Vehicles which approach from the rear any other vehicle or vehicles stopped or slowed to make a lawful turn shall be deemed to be following for purposes of this Code section. O.C.G.A. §40-6-49.

Practice Note

Following too closely citations are often linked with charges of DUI in Georgia. In most of these cases, the rear-end accident starts as the initial traffic violation that leads to a Georgia DUI investigation.

When there is an accident in a DUI case, the Georgia DUI Penalties become more severe. Cases involving accidents are always more difficult cases to defend and should not be attempted to be defended on their own.

If you or a loved one is facing a DUI, contact a Georgia DUI Attorney today.