Construction zones are dangerous areas for heavy traffic, especially on highways, where vehicle speed is typically high even when the speed limit is lowered. Too often, drivers think they can get away with speeding through a construction zone only to cause an accident because they misjudged the road conditions or encountered a sudden stall in traffic. Summer is a prime time for road construction, which means roads and highways all around Georgia are going to see some work, and the possibility of traffic accidents will be higher.
Rental car bill aims to prevent car accidents
For the most part, consumer recalls exist for the protection of the general public. Automobile recalls are probably some of the most important ones that Georgia residents should pay attention to. Usually they involve dangerous factory defects that can cause deadly auto accidents if the problems are not repaired.
Laws currently in place make it illegal for a car dealer to sell a vehicle that’s been recalled until the defects in question have been repaired. However, the same laws don’t apply to car rentals or “loaner” vehicles. Legally speaking, a car rental agency can let a customer drive off with a vehicle that’s under recall, despite the possibility of a car accident.
Former NBA player involved in Clayton County car accident
The aftermath of an auto accident can be difficult to sort out, especially if the factors that contributed to the crash were uncertain. We often hear of accidents that were caused by a drunk or negligent driver, but less common are those that are caused by a medical condition. However, some medical problems can cause a car accident. It’s not always clear right away what the cause of an accident was, especially if the people involved were seriously injured or killed.
A former guard for the NBA, Mookie Blaylock, was in a serious accident in late May in Clayton County that resulted in his hospitalization and the unfortunate death of another. Police reported that originally the basketball star was placed on life support due to his injuries, but his condition improved enough that he was able to breathe on his own, and was upgraded to guarded but critical condition.
Lilburn car antics injure two underage drinkers
Often, when people are out for a fun evening, they don’t think about their actions seriously injuring or even killing someone else. Alcohol lowers people’s inhibitions and affects judgment, so an activity that someone would never consider while sober might not seem like a big deal after a night of drinking.
Several family members were arrested on charges related to a car accident that injured two young women in Lilburn. According to police, five people had been drinking. Several of them decided to go car surfing through the neighborhood, during which the young women and a 20-year-old man rode on top of the vehicle, while the 36-year-old stepfather of one of the girls drove down the street.
Georgia authorities cracking down on drunk boating
Summer is almost upon us, and that means fun in the sun and in the water, swimming, waterskiing, and boating. Summertime is a great season to enjoy with friends and families, and many people head to their favorite lake to party on the beach or in the water. Unfortunately, this almost certainly means increased accidents with boaters operating their vessels while intoxicated. In addition to criminal charges, people who cause serious injuries while boating drunk may be held liable for medical expenses and other penalties.
Local and state authorities are making increased efforts this season to stop drunken boaters from ruining the fun for everyone. The Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety says there will be road checks near boating areas to make sure people aren’t entering or leaving lake grounds intoxicated. The legal limit for drinking and operating a vessel has been lowered from .10 to .08, to reflect the knowledge that boating while intoxicated is just as serious and dangerous and driving drunk.
Driver causes crash near Atlanta that kills boyfriend, baby
Many drivers make bad decisions that change victims’ lives forever, but probably one of the most terrible things a driver can do is engage in dangerous driving that takes the life of a child. It’s especially upsetting to know that some driving decisions which result in a car wreck could have been prevented. Drivers can be held liable for medical expenses or funeral costs stemming from an accident they caused, as well as face criminal charges.
A woman caused a car accident that killed her 7-month-old baby and 19-year-old boyfriend, when she started racing another car on Interstate 20 near Atlanta earlier this month. The 22-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle, hit a guardrail, and bounced back into lanes of traffic before being struck by a Chevy pickup.
Loganville residents talk about pedestrian safety problems
Neighborhoods should be safe places for kids to play and residents to socialize. It’s too bad when parents feel that the streets where they live aren’t safe for their children to walk down, or to cross without the fear of being hit by a car. Unfortunately, a recent report revealed that Georgia’ safety record for pedestrian accidents is worse than the national average. Many neighborhood residents are fed up with feeling endangered walking on their streets, and they want a change.
Last week, a 12-year-old Loganville boy skateboarding in his neighborhood was hit by a car, which prompted nearby residents to discuss the problem about auto-pedestrian accidents. Many of them shared the same observations of cars speeding through residential streets, not slowing down or even seeming to notice nearby pedestrians. Parents with young children expressed fear of allowing their children outside to play--a sad situation when children should be able to play near their homes and enjoy the fresh air.
Trucker arrested for Georgia DUI caused previous fatal accident
Like anyone else, truck drivers are no exception when it comes to making the decision to drink behind the wheel, and even repeat the offense many times. Truck accidents are dangerous even when the driver is sober. When alcohol is a factor, the potential consequences are almost too scary to think about.
In early April, a truck driver was pulled over after several witnesses called the Newton County Sheriff’s Office to report a tractor trailer swerving all over Interstate 20. While he was being questioned, the police officers noticed a smell of alcohol on the driver’s breath, despite being told he hadn’t had anything to drink in days. He had difficulty with several field sobriety tests, and then blew a .222 on a Breathalyzer machine, well over Georgia’s legal limit. Officers arrested him after finding an empty can of hard lemonade in a console inside the truck cab.
Former Georgia trooper charged with motorist's death
Causing a fatal car accident can happen to anyone, because all it takes is a moment of inattention. Reckless and negligent driving are common causes of injuries and deaths across the country. It's extremely important to pay attention while driving, both to protect yourself from the negligence of another, and to avoid causing a wrongful death. However, most people wouldn't expect an officer of the law to mistakenly cause a fatal accident.
A former Georgia state trooper was charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and violating oath of office, after a New Year's Eve 2011 accident that cost the life of another driver. According to a representative of the District Attorney's office, the trooper was going 65 miles per hour in a 25 zone, while responding to another officer's call for backup, when he ran a red light and crashed into a car in the intersection, killing the driver.
Drunk Macon driver crashes car that isn't his own, dies
With just one simple decision, an intoxicated person can either choose a safe way to make it home, or change someone's life forever by getting behind the wheel drunk. It's a sad fact that drunk drivers continue to be a major cause of deadly auto accidents all over the country.
A Macon man has been trying to get his car back since December, after two men took it out for a joy ride, which resulted in a drunk driving accident that killed one of them. According to the car's owner, he had taken the vehicle to a repair shop to replace a part. That night, unknown to him, the mechanic and another man took his car out to drive around the town.
