Athens Law Blog

Much like other states, Georgia restricts underage drinking by setting a minimum age for the purchase or consumption of alcohol. There are very limited situations in which a person below the age of 21 may legally drink, such as under the supervision of parents or guardians, but minors are enjoined from drinking under most circumstances in Georgia.

The problem of alcohol availability, however, is not the responsibility of minors in Georgia. Distributors of alcohol, like liquor store employees and bartenders, have a legal responsibility to check the age of any potential customer to ensure they have reached the legal age.

Because you value safety on the road, you undoubtedly want to drive as safely as possible at all times. Of course, you may not have the ability to predict what type of trip you will have because many factors that can affect road travel can come up suddenly. For instance, you may suddenly find yourself driving in an unexpected rainstorm or in heavy winds.

Understanding how to drive safely in inclement weather can help lessen the likelihood of serious car accidents. Though the best way to avoid accidents caused by weather conditions is to stay off the road during bad weather, that is not always a feasible option. If you do need to get out for any reason, remembering certain safety tips may prove useful.

No one gets into a car thinking of anything else other than getting where they are going, and no one starts a car journey thinking it may end in disaster. When people drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, though, they are asking for that sort of trouble.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal in Georgia with very few exceptions, such as a medical emergency requiring transport or a driver unaware of his or her intoxication. Although the offense is generally rare, it is often detected because a drunk driver got in trouble by striking another vehicle or person.

Drinking alcohol often begins as a social activity, shared with family and friends. Many responsible parents try to introduce their children to alcohol in a safe environment so they can accustom themselves to its effects on the mind and body. This is why Georgia law allows minors to drink under their parents' supervision and in their parents' homes.

But social events can become pressure to drink, especially when minors mix with people who can drink legally on their own. One jurisdiction in the Peach State is considering a new approach to supervised underage drinking to rein in its effect when minors are not controlled or kept safe.