Traffic Offenses

Traffic Offenses Under Georgia Law

Though usually traffic violations are way down the list of what is considered “serious” offenses, moving violations are the most common offenses committed every day of the week. Though every state differs in how it adjudicates traffic violations, most traffic transgressions lead to similar penalties.

Remember, too, that though one offense will not lead to necessarily stiff penalties, multiple offenses will compound upon one another, and could lead to the revocation of your license, make it impossible to attain auto insurance, and in extreme cases it can lead to significant jail time and steep fines.

Under Georgia law, these are the most common traffic offenses, and the possible consequences of those transgressions.

Speeding

The most common traffic offense is speeding. Generally, driving at a speed over the speed limit will result in a citation, with the amount of the fine determined by how many miles per hour an offender was going over the limit. This is determined by a traffic officer, and can be measured either through the use of a radar or laser gun, or by the officer “pacing” the offender’s vehicle to determine its speed. Though many offenders attempt to defeat such citations in court by insisting that the radar guns need calibrating or that the officer is wrong, these attempts are very rarely successful. Also, if you are driving in a construction zone, or if there are many children present near a school or a park, it no longer matters what the posted speed limit is. The law determines the maximum speed limits in these situations as 25 miles per hour, without exception.

Driving Under The Influence – DUI

Driving under the influence is one of the most serious offenses in the category of traffic violations. It is an extreme threat to public safety, and the law treats it that way. Usually, first offenses for DUI involve heavy fines of up to $1,000 and possible jail time. For repeat offenders, DUI charges can bring up to $5,000 in fines, years in prison, revocation of a driver’s license and months of community service.

Reckless Driving

Though reckless driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence, the law is slightly (very slightly) more lenient, since there is no involvement of intoxication on the part of the offender. This is the primary distinction between a DUI and reckless driving. Reckless driving is considered any use of an automobile on a public road that is deemed unsafe by a traffic officer.

Driving With An Expired License Or Registration

For offenders who are caught driving without valid registration tags or on a suspended or expired license, an offender faces anywhere from a warning or a citation to the impounding of the offender’s vehicle. Under Georgia law, such cases are up to the discretion of the law enforcement officer making the traffic stop. Chances are, a car impound will only be performed in cases where the offender has shown flagrant defiance of motor vehicle regulations by going months without registration tags or license renewal.

Our Columbus GA criminal defense lawyers handle the following traffic offenses in Georgia:

If you are suspected of or charged with violating a Georgia traffic law, then contact a seasoned Columbus GA traffic defense lawyer immediately.