Athens Law Blog

Beer, wine and liquor are a big part of life in Georgia, from weekend barbecues to relaxing in local bars. As in most of the country, the Peach State restricts alcohol possession to adults age 21 or older. Younger people can find themselves in legal trouble if they are discovered in possession of any alcoholic beverage.

They may face additional criminal charges if they are caught using a false identification or someone else's identification to show an age above 21. This is a criminal offense in Georgia, and bartenders or retailers are allowed to seize identification cards that appear fake and present them to law enforcement as evidence.

Drug charges do not often happen with a police officer spotting a person with a joint or a pipe. Many charges of drug possession come from a discovery during another type of law enforcement intervention. It is common in Georgia for traffic stops to evolve into drug charges.

People charged with drug possession do not often exonerate themselves by trying to ditch drugs or related paraphernalia. Deputies in Cherokee County attempted a stop over a driver's failure to stay in his lane, only to notice the driver failed to stop.

It's natural to become nervous when driving in close proximity to a commercial truck. Even if you're doing your best to remain safe, truckers don't always take the same level of care.

While there's no surefire way to avoid an accident with a commercial truck, there are some tips you can follow to maintain your safety:

• Avoid blind spots: The longer you drive in a trucker's blind spot the greater chance there is of an accident. This includes the area directly next to and directly behind a commercial truck.
• Only pass in the left lane: Passing a commercial truck in the right lane is dangerous, as the trucker may not see you coming. This can cause them to change lanes into you.
• Take caution at merge points: Merging onto the highway is difficult enough without commercial trucks in close proximity. If you find yourself merging while these vehicles bear down on you, take extra care. For example, you don't want to pull out in front of a commercial truck and then slow down, as these vehicles need a lot of time to stop.
• Use your turn signals: This gives everyone on the road a clear idea of what you're doing next. For instance, if you're changing lanes in front of a commercial truck, signal in advance of doing so.

As a pedestrian, you don't have to look far to see a motor vehicle. For example, if you're walking or jogging on the sidewalk, moving vehicles will be within a few feet of you.

Understanding the most common causes of pedestrian-car accidents can help keep you safe. Here are some of the mistakes drivers make that can cause a serious crash:

• Distracted driving: This takes on many forms, such as texting, smoking, people watching and daydreaming. When a driver is distracted, they're less likely to see you, such as when crossing the street.
• Reckless driving: From speeding to failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, there are many forms of reckless driving. Keep an eye out for drivers who are not following the rules of the road.
• Disregard for weather conditions: For example, if rain is falling, drivers should slow down to maintain control of their vehicle. This also gives them more time to respond in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, many drivers neglect to adjust their speed in harsh conditions.
• Driving under the influence: Alcohol, illegal drugs and prescription medication all have the potential to impact a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.