Anyone who thinks it is okay to drink and drive in Georgia would do well to brush up on the state’s DUI laws, which include stiff criminal and administrative penalties, even for first-time offenders.
A nationwide survey gives the otherwise hospitable Peach State high marks for the punishment courts hand out to those convicted of driving under the influence.
Point system survey
The survey, conducted by WalletHub.com, employed a point system in examining 15 metrics for both preventive measures and criminal penalties. Ultimately, the strictest and most lenient states in terms of the penalties applied for DUI convictions were revealed, and Georgia placed No. 2 in the nation for the most stringent drunk driving laws.
Drugs taking over
In an August 2017 newspaper article, sheriffs around the state commented on the survey, expressing pleasure with Georgia’s high ranking, and pointing out a few facts relative to DUI issues:
- In Dade County, 30 percent of the vehicle accidents are attributed to impaired drivers
- The Catoosa County Sheriff believes drugs have topped alcohol as the cause of car accidents
- DUI arrests are most common in the summer when more people enjoy outdoor activities
- The victims of a drunk driving crash often suffer more injuries (or death) than the impaired driver
Events happen quickly
A person arrested for DUI in Georgia will find that there are certain legal procedures to be followed, and they tend to happen at a rapid pace. For example, a criminal defense attorney will schedule an arraignment concerning the charges, which will be followed by a court hearing. Meanwhile, a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles must be scheduled, during which the offender’s driver’s license suspension will be a major topic. An experienced attorney is an important advocate to have on both the criminal and administrative fronts so that the penalties might be reduced and the best outcome possible achieved for a DUI case.