By: Kathy McArthur, founder of McArthur Law Firm talks about Georgia traffic law and rules of the road laws in Georgia
According to police, drivers in Georgia are unaware of some of multiple Georgia state driving laws. Those who operate a operate a motor vehicle in the Peach State need to be familiar with all state traffic laws, and not just the official traffic control device rules (i.e., red lights, amber or yellow flashing lights).
9 Weird or Obscure Georgia Driving Laws
In all states, the traffic laws are typically written by the Legislative Body, so more states likely have given themselves a “pass” and enacted similar laws. Georgia state traffic laws are written by the Georgia General Assembly and then (if signed by the Governor) become our new laws.
Some Georgia road laws were dreamed up to increase revenues by financially penalizing drivers who flaunt the State’s speed limit laws. The “invention” of the so-called “super speeder law” originated in Georgia during the Gov. Sonny Perdue era, to create a new kind of tax collection for the State.
So, if you get pulled over, and you don’t know why, you could have broken one of the following laws that police say many drivers seem not to know exist:
1. The Georgia Slowpoke Law
You may be pulled over and cited even if traveling at the posted speed limit.
Georgia passed the so-called “Slowpoke Law” requiring drivers in the left lane on a highway, interstate roadway, or expressway to move over if a faster car approaches behind them. You can’t linger in the left lane, even if you’re traveling at the speed limit.
Police officers rarely enforce the Georgia left lane law being flaunted by such left-lane slowpokes, though. Drivers from other states are sometimes shocked to find that they have committed a crime by being inconsiderate to others by violating the left lane law Georgia. State of Georgia driving laws have been a source of friction since the 1960s, when Lester Maddox was Governor.
2. GA Move Over Law
A driver must move over one lane for all types of roadside assistance vehicles and garbage trucks on our roads, streets, or highways. Not just blue lights or red lights flashing must be heeded. Other types of vehicles (e.g., tow trucks) displaying flashing yellow, amber, white or other rotating or flashing lights fall under the “move over” law in Georgia.
Georgia’s move-over law requires drivers to change lanes away from emergency vehicles stopped on the side or shoulder of the road. This move over law GA applies to police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks with rotating lights activated and other types of emergency response vans, as well as garbage trucks.
3. Center Turn Lane Rules
Drivers are prohibited from using the center lane to merge into traffic. The center lane can only be used for making a left turn. Drivers should not use the center lane to drive in (seeing a red light 200 yards away) unless they are within 300 feet (100 yards or less) from where the turn will occur.
4. The “one ear open” law. Is it illegal to drive with headphones in Georgia?
Yes, at least when the ear buds are in both ears.
Also, wearing headphones over both ears while driving is illegal. It is also illegal under Georgia law to wear headphones (or earbuds) in both of your ears, since this would block or limit your ability to hear sirens or other signals of emergency vehicles. You can, however, wear the type of headphone that leaves one ear free to hear ambient sounds, while driving.
5. Can the police enforce traffic laws on private property?
For some crimes, yes. When it comes to DUI (driving under the influence), or BUI (boating under the influence) an officer can arrest a driver or boater ANYWHERE within the State, even if on private lands.
6. During the Legislative session, members of the Georgia General Assembly are exempt from receiving speeding tickets.
Similar laws are in place in South Carolina, but the Palmetto State also has a law that gives the same “speeding law” immunity to lawyers on their way to a scheduled court date.
7. A motor vehicle’s rear tag must not be obscured or blocked from view.
Unlike most other states that have front and back plates, Georgia has always only required back license plates to be completely visible.
Drivers cannot cover their tags with illegal frames or covers. Before you buy a tag frame or cover, make sure it will not illegally obstruct the view of the tag.
8. You must turn headlights on when it is raining.
This safety precaution is intended to increase visibility, especially when it is raining “cats and dogs” with torrential rainfall. Drivers with automatic headlights should not rely on these automatic lights when it’s raining, because (on some models) the vehicle’s rear lights are also not activated. In the Peach State, both the front and the rear lights must be activated when it is raining.
9. No texting while driving.
Not only is it illegal to text while driving, but it’s also illegal to text while in a vehicle, even if the vehicle is not in motion (but is in a traffic lane). In addition, new laws enacted a few years ago made it illegal to have your phone “resting” on any part of your body while driving, even if stopped at an intersection. Arguably, having the phone in your top shirt pocket could be a violation.
These are Georgia laws to know to not violate. When it comes to being in an accident, if you were violating a traffic law, your personal injury case may fail if a jury thinks that your driving violation put you at being 50% or more at fault in the auto crash case.
If you have been a victim of a car accident, contact the McArthur Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation. Call our personal injury attorneys at our Macon number 478-238-6600, or our Atlanta number 404-565-1621 or contact us online.
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