If you are a driver under the age of 21 in Georgia, the rules you must follow are much stricter than those for adults. You can lose your license in a heartbeat, and it is not easy to get it back again.
As an Alpharetta traffic violation defense attorney, I know that everyone makes mistakes, but if you are under 21, these mistakes may cost you more than you think.
Driving Under the Influence
Even though drivers of every age face fines, license suspension, community service, and even jail time for a DUI conviction, a teenager who drinks and drives will find harsher treatment for the same mistake.
There is a zero-tolerance policy in Georgia for underage drinking and driving. While an adult can be convicted with a blood-alcohol count (BAC) of 0.08 or more, a driver under 21 is considered guilty with a BAC of 0.02 or more.
The Point System
Georgia assigns from two to six points for traffic violation convictions. An adult driver will have his or her driver’s license suspended if 15 or more points are accumulated in a two-year period. But those under 21 can face suspension if found guilty of just one four-point or greater violation.
Four-point violations include:
- Reckless driving
- Improper passing on a hill or curve
- Exceeding the speed limit by 24, but less than 34 mph.
Six point violations are:
- Aggressive Driving
- Unlawful Passing of a School Bus
- Exceeding the speed limit by 34 or more mph.
You can also have your license suspended for many other reasons, including homicide by vehicle, using a vehicle to commit a felony, refusing to take a chemical BAC test, driving without registration or insurance, or a conviction for possessing, cultivating, selling, or transporting marijuana or other controlled substance.
No one plans to get in trouble behind the wheel, but it does happen. And when you are under age 21, you can find yourself in a whole lot of trouble. If you need help, give us a call at the Law Office of Scott Miller in Alpharetta. An aggressive traffic violation defense lawyer can make a huge difference.
