Atlanta Police Department Reports Increased Street Racing

Atlanta Lenwood Jackson Justice Center

Atlanta, Ga. - The City of Atlanta has had reports of different stunt driving events over the past few weeks. Reports from the Mall West End, the I-285 tunnel, the Varsity location on Spring Street, and the North DeKalb Mall of street racing and burnouts resulted in various arrests and citations.

Videos of these events have been circulating all over social media. The Atlanta Police Department has even resorted to following these events and groups on social media to determine where the next location for street racing or stunt driving will be.

Police Chief Erika Shields has reported that the events are at an all-time high. She has even brought it up to members of the city council and the mayor.

As an Atlanta DUI Defense Lawyer, I handle all serious traffic cases - not just those for DUI in Atlanta. Situations like these involve a great deal of serious traffic violations that can have serious circumstances if convicted. In fact, many of these offenses are actually considered to be related to DUI.

In today's post, I will outline some of the overlap DUI Related Driving Offenses that have resulted from the events described above.

Related Driving Offenses

Racing: Georgia law prohibits any vehicle on a highway of this state from participating in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or for the purpose of making a speed record. By law, the term racing is defined as the use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to out-gain, outdistance, or prevent another vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles, or to test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes.

Reckless Driving: Any person who drives any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property commits the offense of reckless driving. Every person convicted of reckless driving shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.

Fleeing the Police: In Georgia, it is against the law "for any driver of a vehicle willfully to fail or refuse to bring his or her vehicle to a stop or otherwise to flee or attempt to elude a pursuing police vehicle or police officer when given a visual or an audible signal to bring the vehicle to a stop. The signal given by the police officer may be by hand, voice, emergency light, or siren."

Laying Drags: Laying drags is defined as operating a vehicle “in such a manner as to create a danger to persons or property by intentionally and unnecessarily causing the vehicle to move in a zigzag or circular course or to gyrate or spin around.” An individual is guilty of a misdemeanor if convicted of laying drag as defined by O.C.G.A. § 40-6-251(a). The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor offense in Georgia is 12 months in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. Additionally, three points will be assessed against your driver's license.  

Practice Note

As more of these events occur, more arrests will be happening within the City of Atlanta. If you have been arrested or issued a citation, contact our offices today. An Atlanta DUI Defense Attorney can help you now.