GeorgiaTrafficLawyer's Weblog

Texting While Driving Bans, State by State

Posted on June 20, 2013 by georgiatrafficlawyer

Texting while driving laws aren’t just for teens any more. 41 states in the U.S. have banned the potentially fatal practice altogether, 6 states have partial bans in effect with the remaining 3, including Arizona, Montana and South Carolina having no ban in effect at all.

As for cell phone use, talking on a hand held cell phone while driving is prohibited in 11 states and there are laws that restrict novice drivers from cell phone usage altogether in 37 states. Visit http://ow.ly/melGY for a map of the U.S. with a summary of each states laws.

Although texting while driving is against the law in so many states, its tough to enforce these laws for now but based on the dangers involved in doing this dirty deed, Attorney Scott Fortas advises that at some point this may change and ticketing could become easier for law enforcement officers that catch offenders.

Remember that text or email can wait 5 minutes; or pull off the road into and do your texting while the car is in a parked position.

More about Georgia Traffic Laws.

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Late Traffic Tickets Fees Forgiveness Period Begins in Dunwoody Georgia

Posted on June 4, 2013 by georgiatrafficlawyer

For the next two months if you forgot to pay your Dunwoody GA speeding or traffic ticket on time you could get a reprieve from paying the late fees associated with the ticket. The goal of the program is to reduce the amount of outstanding tickets, encourage safer driving and to cut back on the number of arrests.

Since this will only be in effect for the next two months if you have a late ticket, procrastinating could put you outside of the amnesty period and stuck with all the fees. Read more about Dunwoody Georgia late ticket fee amnesty.

Get legal help with a Dunwoody Georgia traffic or speeding ticket from a Dekalb County Traffic Lawyer.

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Georgia’s Summer H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) Begins

Posted on May 20, 2013 by georgiatrafficlawyer

In an attempt to crack down on drivers who violate speeding and traffic laws, Memorial Day weekend kicks off the 100 days of the official H.E.A.T. campaign by Georgia law enforcement officers. Specifically targeting those who choose to risk others lives by texting and driving or recklessly speeding, or driving under the influence of alcohol, be wary as the efforts of your local traffic enforcement will be stepped up dramatically.

Should you end up with a ticket, Attorney Scott Fortas advises you contact the Fortas Law Group for legal help however the best tactic is safer driving and ticket avoidance.

Black Box Mandate for All Vehicles – New Device Locks It Down

Posted on May 3, 2013 by georgiatrafficlawyer

Once the law that mandates a black box is in every vehicle goes into effect, you will be prohibited from removing it or altering in any way the data is is engineered to gather and provide, mostly data to enhance future improvements to vehicle safety and save lives. The truth is that the black black box is in place to monitor date and time of an accident, vehicle speed, engine speed, steering angle, throttle position, braking status, force of impact, seat belt status and airbag deployment as they occur during an accident.

What the black box cannot do includes alerting or monitoring whether the driver was intoxicated, violating a traffic law or using a cell phone.

A new product, still in the early stages of development, will at least enable you to “lock down” the data in the black box to prevent fraud or theft. The product, AutoCyb retails for $33 and will protect unauthorized access for anyone other than the driver, law enforcement, insurance companies or the vehicles manufacturer, all of whom have the right to review or use the data as needed.

The black box will also assist in monitoring data about the vehicle itself in the event of a malfunction or failure, to provide the manufacturer with additional data to make vehicle improvements as needed. Many drivers are comfortable with sharing data with law enforcement or a manufacturer but have concerns over the “big brother is watching” nature of the black box.

Share your thoughts on the black box for vehicles.

Georgia Fraud Lawyer.

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Does Georgia’s Move Over Law Save Lives?

Posted on April 29, 2013 by georgiatrafficlawyer

We all know the protocol when we hear the sound of an emergency vehicle in a huge hurry to save lives. A driver moves his vehicle over to the side of the road to get out of the way of the emergency vehicle, ensuring quick passage through traffic. But many drivers are not aware of Georgia’s Move Over Law, enacted to protect police officers, emergency technicians, traffic offenders and DOT workers that may risk their lives during traffic stops, after traffic accidents and while working on highway construction sites.

The law dictates a lane change if possible to put some distance between your vehicle and whatever is happening in the emergency lane. It may be impossible to make a lane change due to traffic flow or other issues however, every attempt must be made to ensure the safety or those involved in a towing, recovery or highway maintenance operation that could potentially be injured by an oncoming vehicle. If a driver assesses the current situation and cannot change lanes, slowing to a safe speed less than the posted speed limit is advisable. Also, a driver should be prepared to stop unexpectedly if need be.

The Move Over Law in Georgia should save lives but unfortunately many are not aware of the law and thus do not know what to do. Violations of Georgia’s Move Over Law carry penalties of up to $500. Other states with Move Over Laws carry fines of up to $1000! Even more important drivers in every states should be aware of the laws and respectful of the need to protect the safety and lives of those who risk their lives to keep all our highways safe.

For more information about Georgia Traffic laws visit – Georgia Traffic Laws

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Some Atlanta Georgia Red Light Cameras Temporarily Inactive

Posted on April 10, 2013 by georgiatrafficlawyer

Recently, the use of red lights cameras in Atlanta Georgia was temporarily halted, due to an inability to negotiate a final contract with a red light camera service provider needed to continue the program. Though a few red light cameras are still operating, city officials estimate the remaining cameras will be not be operational until mid May, the estimated date for completed contract negotiations. A driver caught running a red light by a red light camera in Atlanta Georgia can be fined $70 for the offense. Read the story from Ch 11 news

If you received a red light ticket or speeding ticket in Atlanta Georgia, contact an Atlanta GA speeding ticket lawyer today for traffic ticket defense.

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Amnesty Offered for Unpaid Parking & Traffic Tickets in East Point, GA

Posted on April 4, 2013 by georgiatrafficlawyer

The city of East Point Georgia will be offering 6 days of amnesty beginning April 8th, to any driver with an unpaid traffic or parking ticket. Anyone with an outstanding ticket could have “failure to appear” fines waived at the option of the judge. Even those with suspended licenses may get a release from the court department upon payment of fines.

Read the story on East Point Georgia’s official site.

If you need assistance with a traffic ticket or speeding ticket in East Point Georgia visit the Georgia Traffic Lawyer’s website.

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Catoosa County Georgia Traffic Stops Questioned

Posted on March 15, 2013 by georgiatrafficlawyer

The sheriff in Catoosa County Georgia is reviewing the practices and policies regarding traffic stops due to an alleged incident involving an FBI agent stopped for a DUI by deputies in that Georgia county. The deputy that handled this particular traffic stop is no longer employed by the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department. Other incidents have come to light regarding alleged preferential treatment during traffic stops involving employees of the Sheriff’s department as well. Though the Sheriff’s department denies any criminal wrongdoings on the part of its staff, apparently further investigation is still being pursued.

Read the article.

Catoosa County Georgia traffic stop issues? Visit Georgia Traffic Lawyer for free consult.

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Electronic Insurance Cards for Proof of Insurance Considered in Georgia

Posted on March 1, 2013 by georgiatrafficlawyer

Alabama, Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana and Minnesota allow drivers pulled over for a traffic stop to show electronic proof of insurance via their smartphone. Many other states including Georgia are also considering bills or proposals to allow for this practice, states that currently have this bill on their legislative agendas for 2013 include Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Find out more information about other Georgia traffic laws.

Filed under: Georgia Traffic Laws, Traffic Stops | Tagged: GA proof of insurance, Georgia Traffic Laws | Leave a comment »