<![CDATA[JARRETT & PRICE - Georgia Law Blog]]>

The Georgia State Patrol sent out a press release that it will be participating in the "Operation Zero Tolerance" campaign this Labor Day Weekend. The focus of its high visibility patrols will be to remove drivers who are under the influence and who are driving unsafe on Georgia's roadways. The heightened presence of Georgia State Patrol Troopers will be over the 78-hour travel period for Labor Day Weekend.

In 2014, Georgia State Patrol Troopers investigated 473 traffic accidents. Those accounts resulted in 285 injuries and 6 fatalities. Because of the increase in long-distance travel over the weekend, there is a greater chance of serious accidents with injuries.

Not only are there more people on Georgia's roads over the Labor Day Weekend, there are also more drunk drivers. Georgia State Patrol Troopers arrested 234 people for DUI last year alone. It is important to remember that not all people charged with DUI are guilty. The evidence needed to convict a person of driving under the influence often requires a police officer to follow specific procedures. If the officer does not follow those procedures, the evidence may be challenged at a motions hearing and ultimately ruled inadmissible at trial.

The Georgia State Patrol press release gave a series of helpful suggestions for Georgia drivers to make Georgia's roadways safer this holiday. The suggestions were as follows:

Wear your seat belt. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up before you hit the road, no matter how short the trip.
Obey the speed limit. Exceeding the speed limit reduces the amount of available time needed to avoid a crash.
Avoid distracted driving. Refrain from performing any activity that may take your focus off of the road, such as texting while driving.
Be courteous to other drivers. Stay alert of your surroundings and show common courtesy to other motorists and pedestrians on the roads.
Properly install child safety seats. Georgia law requires children under the age of eight to be in either a car seat or booster seat suitable for their age and height.
Do not leave children and pets in hot cars. Get in the habit of regularly checking the back seat and back floor area for children and animals, each time you exit your vehicle.

Driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is always a bad decision. It can cost you or someone else their lives. You do not have conduct an intensive search of the internet to find a story of a DUI driver who got into an accident that resulted in a fatality or serious injury. We all know people who have been charged with DUI and recognize the long-term consequences that come with a DUI charge and conviction.

Our attorneys have represented victims of DUI accidents as well as defended DUI drivers in Georgia's criminal courts. Therefore, we understand both sides of the issue. If you have questions regarding an accident involving a DUI driver or a DUI criminal charge, give our attorneys a call at 912.401.8880. We are happy to speak with you to see if there is anything we can do to help you. You can also visit our DUI page and our DUI accident page for more information.