Suspected DUI Driver Hits Atlanta Police Car

Atlanta Police Car

Atlanta, Ga. – A parked police car was hit by a vehicle driven by a man who has been accused of operating the car under the influence of drugs.

The officer was not in the car at the time. However, when officers did arrive at the scene of the collision, the suspect appeared to be “barely alert or conscious.” He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. Police reported that narcotics were discovered and seized but no other information has been released.

In today's post, as an Atlanta DUI Attorney, I will cover the law behind DUI Drugs in Atlanta.

DUI Drugs in Atlanta

Georgia Law defines driving under the influence of drugs in Atlanta, commonly referred to as DUI Drugs, as:

“A person shall not drive while under the influence of any drug to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive; a person shall not drive under the influence of a combination of substances (i.e. drugs and alcohol) to the extent that it is less safe for the person to drive; a person cannot be under the influence of prescription drugs, even if a drug or drugs are prescribed legally.” O.C.G.A. §40-6-391.

The police officer will be looking for anything that might be a clue to driving under the influence. There is no quantitative legal limit for being under the influence of drugs or impaired by drugs. Instead, officers will consider all of the factors surrounding both the investigation and the arrest including but not limited to: manner of driving, sobriety test results, behaviors, conversational skills, etc.

In order to be convicted of DUI Drugs, the state of Georgia must prove whether or not someone is driving under the influence of a drug or drugs to the extent that he or she is a less safe driver. Since there is no quantitative legal limit for drug consumption, the arresting officers' observations are the determining factors.

The penalties for a first-time conviction for DUI-Drugs can include a minimum of 24 hours in jail, a fine of at least $300, 12 months on probation, 40 hours of community experience, DUI School completion, and clinical drug and alcohol evaluation.  

Practice Note

The same DUI Collateral Consequences in Atlanta apply regardless if it is DUI Alcohol or DUI Drugs. If you have been arrested for DUI, contact our offices now. An Atlanta DUI Lawyer can help you now.