UGA Student Dies in Tractor Trailer Accident

20-year-old UGA student, William Whitaker, was killed in an accident involving a tractor-trailer on I-20 last Thursday night.

The crash shut down a stretch of I-20 for ten hours. The truck driver is facing several charges including improper lane change, following too closely and vehicular homicide in Georgia. According to reports, the tractor-trailer overturned onto its side after hitting the concrete barrier in the center of the interstate.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will outline the law behind the traffic violation of following too closely in today's post.

Following Too Closely in Georgia

Following Too Closely in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code in the following statute:

(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.

Practice Note

When there is a charge for DUI in Georgia and an accident has occurred - 9 times out of 10 - the accused driver has been charged with following too closely as well.

An accident can lead to a DUI investigation which is why so many DUI charges are associated with an initial traffic offense such as following too closely. This gives an officer a reason to initiate the stop of the driver.

DUI Penalties in Georgia increase greatly if paired with an accident in a single case. The case gets even more difficult and complicated to defend. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been arrested in Georgia, contact us today.

A Georgia DUI Attorney can help you with your case now.