130Views
Pay the city of Atlanta a visit by going a bit south to here, in Georgia, to Peachtree City, and you will be in one of the strangest systems of transportation in the country. There is an extensive network of tarmac roads linking nearly every neighborhood, shopping mall, and restaurant in the neighborhood, with golf carts in mind. It serves as a huge attraction to locals and a new entertaining experience to tourists. Going out with the golf cart to dine and have a drink in one of the nearby places such as: The Avenue is a typical event of the weekend. Nevertheless, most motorists get into a serious legal trap whereby they believe that the lax environment created by the cart tracks can protect them against the rigorous state traffic statutes.
The wake up call is a bitter realist call. To Georgia law, operating a golf cart under the impairment is just as weighty and punishable as driving a full sized car along the interstate.
The commotion is generally the result of the surrounding. Since you are in slow moving open air car that is on a road entirely dissociated with normal car traffic, it feels totally disconnected with highway driving. However, the golf cart can be referred to as the safe way of driving home after a few drinks or beers by people. These routes, however, are very densely covered with local police especially on weekend evenings and various other significant holidays or local festivals.
According to the Georgia law, the DUI laws apply to any vehicle on the move. A motorized cart which is legally known as a golf cart fits this criteria quite easily. Provided that a bicycle patroling police officer, a police golf cart, or even an interceptor parks somewhere the path crosses a major road, the officer may have the full right to commence a traffic stop assuming he suspects that you are intoxicated.
Owing to the lack of safety features enjoyed by cars in golf carts, officers have a keen awareness of the risks of driving under the influence on the paths. A golf cart crash, particularly roll-over or hitting a pedestrian or a bicycle rider can cause disastrous injuries. Police therefore are intolerant of drinking and driving on the network. They will seek common symptoms of impairment, like crossing the middle of the road, carrying an open bottle of alcohol, or driving carelessly around sharp bends.
When you are pulled over a cart path, the investigations take the same course as they would a regular traffic stop. The officer will inspect your verbal and visuals and will most probably demand that you do voluntary roadside field sobriety tests on the pavement. In the event of arrest, you will be transported to the local jail, and your golf cart probably towed and impounded leaving your passengers without a ride.
Golf cart DUI has serious consequences. In case you are convicted you will be subject to normal criminal penalties such as a year or so jail, hefty fines, mandatory probation, and mandatory community service. Between this, the conviction will of course most likely cause the suspension of your regular Georgia driver license. Being unable to use your real car to get to work because of a accident in a golf cart street is a terrible thing that leaves all sides of your everyday life.
To protect against these particular charges, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of the local ordinances and state laws. When you are charged following a night out on the paths it is important to contact a qualified Atlanta DUI Lawyer. An expert shall assess all areas of the stop. They will argue that the officer lacked reasonable reasonableness in stopping your cart, and will dispute the validity of any kind of field sobriety test conducted in the darkness, in an uneven trough in a wooded cart pathway.
Do not make a ride in the country a life-long criminal record. The freshness of the Peachtree City paths does not accord you a immunity in connection with state statutes, but having a conscientious Atlanta DUI Attorney is contending on your behalf would assure you that your rights will not be infringed in court. They will be able to navigate through the intricacies of your case and tirelessly fight to get a cut in charges or even a dismissal with the aim of keeping your record intact and keeping your normal driving license intact.
