Inclement Weather in Georgia Leads to More Traffic Stops and Investigations

According to weather reports out of Georgia, we have several severe thunderstorm warnings issued for Metro Atlanta counties over the next week.

The chance of scattered showers should linger through the evening before clearing out after midnight. 

Temperatures are expected to reach 92 degrees in Atlanta this afternoon, but moisture in the air will make it feel muggy outside. 

The Georgia Department of Transportation reported that drivers could run into delays on metro Atlanta interstates thanks to series of road closures. As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, it's important for me to point out that dangerous roads tend to lead to more accidents and more traffic violations. In today's post, I will outline one of the most common traffic violations in bad weather.

Too Fast for Conditions in Georgia

Too Fast for Conditions in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code in O.C.G.A §40-6-180 as:

No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard for the actual and potential hazards then existing. Consistently with the foregoing, every person shall drive at a reasonable and prudent speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching and traversing a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.

Driving Too Fast For Conditions means driving at a speed that impairs a driver's ability to control the car in specific conditions. It is a subjective standard, and thus, it depends on the specific facts of the case. Driving too fast in certain hazardous conditions may make it difficult for a driver to curve or maneuver obstacles on the road. Dangerous conditions may involve heavy traffic, bad weather, a slippery road, or issues with visibility.

Driving too fast for conditions, much like other general traffic violations such as speeding or failure to maintain lane, can lead to further investigation such as investigation for DUI.

Once pulled over for any moving violation, a police officer has the right to investigate any other offense that he observes such as possible DUI in Georgia. This officer can then arrest someone for possession of drugs found in “plain view,” and a police officer can certainly start a DUI investigation of any impaired driver.

Practice Note

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a serious traffic violation, contact a Georgia DUI Lawyer today. We specialize in DUI Defense in the state of Georgia and can help you with your case now.