Georgia Traffic Violations: The Complete Guide

Georgia's traffic code — Title 40 of the O.C.G.A. — runs hundreds of pages, and drivers are ticketed every day for violations they didn't know existed. This guide from The Jackson Law Firm in Dublin covers the most common Georgia traffic violations, the points each carries, and the rules that surprise drivers most, from following too closely to the Move Over law. If you've already been cited in Laurens County or anywhere in Middle Georgia, call 478-353-4444 before you pay the ticket.



Following Too Closely in Georgia

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-49, drivers may not follow another vehicle "more closely than is reasonable and prudent" for the speed and conditions. Following too closely carries 3 points — whether or not an accident occurred — and it's one of the most commonly written citations after a rear-end collision, where officers often issue it almost automatically to the rear driver. That presumption can be challenged: sudden stops, cut-offs, road conditions, and witness accounts all matter. For CDL holders, following too closely is a federal "serious violation" that counts toward disqualification.

Georgia's Move Over Law

Since 2009, Georgia's Move Over law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-16) has required drivers to change lanes when approaching stationary emergency, utility, or maintenance vehicles displaying flashing lights — or, when a lane change isn't possible, to slow to a reasonable speed below the limit. Many drivers don't realize the law extends beyond police cars to wreckers, utility crews, and highway maintenance vehicles, and enforcement along I-16 is active.

The Center Turn Lane ("Chicken Lane") Rule

Georgia's center turn lane rules trip up drivers constantly. The shared center lane exists for left turns only — a vehicle may not enter it more than 300 feet before the turn, and it may not be used to merge into traffic from a driveway or side street. Misusing the center lane is a 3-point violation and a genuine safety issue, since head-on conflicts with turning vehicles are exactly what the rule prevents.

Hands-Free: Georgia's Distracted Driving Law

Georgia's Hands-Free Act prohibits holding or supporting a phone while driving. Drivers may use speakerphone, earpieces, and mounted devices, but writing, sending, or reading anything on a handheld device behind the wheel is a violation. Penalties escalate with repeat offenses, and for commercial drivers, texting or handheld phone use in a CMV is a federal serious violation.

Impeding Traffic: The "Slowpoke" Law

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-184, slower drivers must move out of the far-left lane when a faster vehicle approaches — even if that faster vehicle is speeding. Exceptions exist for heavy traffic, weather, and preparing to turn left, but left-lane camping is a ticketable offense in Georgia.

Passing a Stopped School Bus

Drivers must stop for a school bus loading or unloading with lights flashing and the stop arm extended. Georgia courts treat this violation severely because of the danger to children — expect a 6-point assessment and little sympathy from the bench. If you've been cited, the details matter: divided highways, direction of travel, and camera-based citations all raise defenses worth reviewing with an attorney.

Bicycles Follow (Almost) All the Same Rules

Georgia treats bicycles as vehicles: cyclists may lawfully ride in a traffic lane and are not required to use a paved shoulder, and drivers must treat them like any other vehicle on the road. Most of Title 40 applies to riders and drivers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions about Traffic Lawyers