Improper Stopping in Atlanta
Many individuals accused of driving under the influence are required to stop and pull over to the side of the road. Some individuals have been known to even pass out in the middle of the road while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Georgia law prohibits motor vehicle operators from stopping a vehicle in numerous types of location.
For individuals in the state of Georgia who are charged with improper stopping in Georgia frequently find it essential to follow several key pieces of advice including retaining the services of a skilled driving attorney as soon as possible and understanding about applicable Georgia law concerning improper stopping.
These details are particularly important so that individuals know where to pull over legally and safely in the event that a parking space must be found quickly in the event of an emergency.
Advice On Parking and Improper Stopping In Georgia From Yeargan & Kert, LLC
Parking is an essential part of operating a motor vehicle, which can take some time to fully master.
One type of parking, parallel parking, can be particularly intimidating for motor vehicle drivers but the best approach to this type of parking is to take things slowly and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
Many other situations involve parking in a lot, during which time individuals should remember to follow several tips including:
- Avoiding speeding in the parking lot
- Being alert about “one-way” instructions on the ground or on signs
- Making sure that a vehicle is pulled all the way into a parking space so that the vehicle’s back does not stick out
- Parking a vehicle as straight and centered as possible
- Watching for other drivers who may be rushing to get a spot and notice other vehicles in the lot
Motor vehicle drivers should also understand how to park on a hill, which is a unique challenge for many motor vehicle operators. Individuals should remember when parking on a hill that when parking upwards the driver should turn the vehicle’s front wheels to the left while if the individual is parking downwards that the vehicle’s wheels should be parked to the right.
Applicable Georgia Law Concerning Improper Stopping in Georgia
There are several applicable Georgia laws concerning where motor vehicle drivers can and cannot stop a motor vehicle.
Law in the state of Georgia allows stopping one’s vehicle when doing so is necessary to avoid potential conflict with other traffic, is in compliance with the law, or follows the directions of a law enforcement officer.
Georgia law also allows motor vehicle drivers to park a vehicle in several locations including:
- At any place where official signs prohibit standing.
- In front of a public or private driveway.
- Picking up waste of similar materials.
- While loading or unloading property or people from the vehicle.
- Within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant.
- Within twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- Within twenty feet of the driveway entrance to a fire station.
- Within thirty feet of approaching any flashing signal, traffic-control signal, stop sign or yield sign.
- Within fifty feet of a railroad crossing.
- Within seventy-five feet of the spot across the street from a fire station driveway.
If a motor vehicle driver must stop on the side of the road due to an emergency, the motor vehicle operator should make sure to open their vehicle’s doors carefully. Opening a vehicle’s doors into moving traffic is prohibited unless it is safe to do and can be done without interacting with adjacent traffic, motorists should also make sure to raise their hood in order to warn adjacent traffic that the motor vehicle is currently stopped.
Motor vehicle operators in the state of Georgia are prohibited from stopping their vehicle in any of the following locations including:
- At any place where signs prohibit stopping.
- Beside a street excavation in such a way that would obstruct traffic.
- Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb.
- In the area between roadways of a divided highway.
- In the middle of an intersection.
- On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped at the edge of a street curb.
- On any controlled-access highway.
- On a bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway.
- On a crosswalk.
- On any railroad tracks.
- On a sidewalk.
- Within thirty feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone.
In many driving under the influence cases, improper stopping plays a significant role. In some cases, a violation of improper stopping can serve as the basis for law enforcement’s decision to stop an individual’s vehicle. Other times, a violation of stopping law can result in the impoundment of an individual’s motor vehicle.
As part of the impoundment process, law enforcement is permitted to perform an inventory search of an individual’s motor vehicle during which time evidence of the individual’s use of alcohol might be found.
Defenses to a Charge of Improper Stopping In Georgia From Yeargan & Kert, LLC
There are several types of available defenses that individuals can use to respond to a charge of improper stopping. One of the most common types of defenses involves claiming that the individual was parked in a lawful area and therefore was not in violation of the law.
Other times, individuals might choose to argue that the individual’s motor vehicle was not stopped in the road.
Consequences of an Improper Stopping In Georgia Charge
There are two potential charges that motor vehicle drivers in the state of Georgia can face. In many cases, law enforcement in the state of Georgia uses an improper stop in order to determine whether an individual is guilty of any additional crimes like driving under the influence.
In other situations, motor vehicle drivers in the state of Georgia find that improper stopping can result in the impoundment of a driver’s vehicle.
Obtain the Services of a Skilled Accident Attorney at Yeargan & Kert, LLC
Law in the state of Georgia determines where it is legal for individuals to park with the intention of decreasing the number of accidents that occurs. Because the state of Georgia vigorously enforces parking laws, if you been charged with improper stopping, contacting experienced legal counsel is often a wise idea.
The legal team at Yeargan & Kert, LLC is particularly knowledgeable and knows how to help individuals create a strong legal defense against such a charge. Contact Yeargan & Kert, LLC today to schedule an initial consultation.