Georgia Injury Law Blog
For most of metro Atlanta, public schools will have spring break from April 6-10. Those without school-aged children may not realize that this has an impact on motorists in general. During this period, motorists should anticipate the following potential risks in order to drive safely.
- Teen drivers on the road, especially at night. With high schools closed for spring break, expect an increase in teen drivers on the roads. Parents should be aware of the heightened risks for teenage drivers for fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, in 2021 drivers age 20 and younger accounted for 5.1% of licensed US drivers; however, they made up 8.1% of fatal crashes in the US. Furthermore, 57% of teen passenger fatalities were passengers of teen drivers. Parents can counsel their teens on safe driving practices and make sure their teenagers are following Georgia laws.
- Increased traffic due to travel, especially on interstates. Georgia drivers should expect an increase in out-of-state drivers who are unfamiliar with the roads. In particular, the weekends of April 4 and April 11 will see increased traffic as motorists make their way through Georgia to and from Florida beaches. Many of these drivers are young college students with less driving experience, who may be particularly prone to distracted driving. By driving defensively, Georgia motorists can help avoid accidents with out of state drivers.
- Road workers on open lanes. In anticipation of increased interstate usage, the Georgia Department of Transportation is temporarily suspending lane closures due to construction. While this opens previously closed lanes for traffic, there may still be workers present. There may also be emergency closures as needed. Drivers on I-20, I-75, I-85, and I-285 should be aware and drive cautiously when road workers are present, and keep an eye out for any traffic pattern changes.
- Drunk or impaired drivers. Unfortunately, spring break traditionally involves an increase in DUIs. While police presence will be greater in anticipation, be aware that there may be an increase in impaired drivers, especially at night. This risk is exacerbated because impaired drivers on spring break are likely to be young with less experience behind the wheel. If you are in an accident with a drunk driver, it’s important to contact an experienced dram shop attorney who can navigate these cases.
If you are in a motor vehicle accident due to construction, distracted driving, or DUI, you need a reliable attorney with years of experience dealing with these types of cases. Don’t try to handle these claims on your own. Contact our office for expert guidance.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons who have suffered injuries in car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across the state of Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm, and discuss your legal options for a claim for damages. You may qualify for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income and other forms of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case. Initial consultations are free.