Multi-Vehicle Wreck on I-75 in Clayton County in Last Night’s Storm

Multiple drivers and passengers were seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash on I-75 late last night.

The accident occurred in Clayton County when road conditions were arguably at the worst of the day. All southbound lanes of I-75 were closed for several hours.

No citations have been issued at this time as investigations are still ongoing. As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will outline the offense of too fast for conditions in today's post as it may be a contributing factor in the accident.

Too Fast for Conditions in Georgia

O.C.G.A. §40-6-180 defines too fast for conditions in Georgia 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.

Most of the time, a violation for too fast for conditions means driving at a speed that impairs a driver's ability to control the car in specific conditions.

As you can see, the violation is held up to a subjective standard, and thus, it depends on the specific facts of the case. Some dangerous conditions may involve heavy traffic, bad weather, a slippery road, or issues with visibility.

Practice Note

Just as with any other traffic violation, such as speeding in Georgia or failure to maintain lane in Georgia for example, being pulled over for driving too fast conditions can be the predicate for a DUI investigation.

Once pulled over for a routine traffic stop, an officer has the right to investigate any other offense that he observes. 

If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact a Georgia DUI Attorney today.