Another Road Rage Shooting Reported in Atlanta

Fulton County Government Center

Atlanta, Ga. - Atlanta Police are investigating a road rage shooting that was reported in Southeast Atlanta.

A woman reported the shooting as occurring near Lakewood Avenue. She said that the suspect cut her off as he was merging. She confronted the man which led to an argument. The man then allegedly shot his firearm. She was not injured.

As an Atlanta DUI Lawyer, I will focus on the law behind the offense of aggressive driving which is the legal title for the act of road rage.

Aggressive Driving

O.C.G.A. §40-6-397 outlines aggressive driving as:

A person commits the offense of aggressive driving when he or she operates any motor vehicle with the intent to annoy, harass, molest, intimidate, injure, or obstruct another person, including without limitation violating Code Section 40-6-42, 40-6-48, 40-6-49, 40-6-123, 40-6-184, 40-6-312, or 40-6-390 with such intent.

Aggressive driving refers to any sort of selfish, unsafe and risky driving behavior that shows disregard for the safety of other drivers.

If the facts above that have been reported are true, then this was probably the driver's driving behavior toward the other vehicles around him before he pulled the gun. 

Some common examples of aggressive driving behaviors include weaving in and out of traffic, changing lanes without signaling, passing in no-passing zones or emergency lanes, forceful merging, failing to yield, cutting off other drivers at close range, speeding, inappropriate gesturing and hand signals, inappropriate use of horns, flashing headlights, and tailgating.

Aggressive driving is a high and aggravated misdemeanor in the state of Georgia. This means that the offense falls into the middle ground between a misdemeanor and a felony. An aggressive driving conviction can result in up to 12 months of jail time as well as fines up to $5,000.

Practice Note

If you or a loved one has been arrested for DUI in Atlanta or a related offense, call our offices today.