Georgia

Public safety Commissioner and State Patrol

Commander Robert Hightower said Senate Bill 211

provides for the inclusion of sport utility

vehicles in the requirements for seatbelt usage.

"The message is clear that passengers and

children must not ride unrestrained,"

Hightower said. "All too often, law

enforcement officers find children riding

unrestrained or improperly restrained.

"There's

just no debate that seatbelts save lives,"

Hightower said. "This new law affecting

SUVs, buckled together with child safety seat

enforcement, will help Georgia motorists defend

against the largest single killer of our kids...

traffic crashes."

law that went into effect last July allows points

for child safety restrained violations to be

added to the violator's driving record. The fine

for the first offense if $50 and second and

subsequent offenses receive $100 fines. The 1999

law adds one point to the driver's record for the

first offense and two points for the second and

subsequent offenses.

driver's license is suspended in Georgia when the

driver accumulates 15 points within a 24-month

period.

Another

law passed by the 2000 General Assembly brings

several changes for Georgia drivers, beginning

with new restrictions against driving on the left

of the center line of the roadway. House Bill

1180 prohibits driving on the left of center of

roadway at any railroad grade crossing. It also

prohibits passing in an intersection where the

centerline is clearly marked by a solid double

yellow line, or by a solid barrier line on the

right element of a combination stripe along the

center or lane line.

The

new law provides that with the exceptions noted

above, passing in an intersection is otherwise

permitted, only under conditions permitting such

movement in safety.

HB

1180 also provides for changes in signage in

construction zones and for an increase in fines

for speeding in construction zones. Beginning

July 1, speeders in construction zones face fines

of up to $2,000 and not less than $100. This new

law also requires traffic law violators to sign

traffic citations or they will be required to

post cash bond.

Another

law taking effect July 1 requires temporary tags

for newly purchased vehicles. House Bill 823

provides that any vehicle dealer will issue a

temporary plate to the purchaser of a new or used

vehicle, and the plate will be displayed on the

rear of the vehicle while it's operated on public

streets or highways. This new law also provides

that the temporary license plate must be turned

in to the local tag office when the purchaser

registers the vehicle. Georgia law requires new

and used vehicles to be registered within 30 days

of purchase.

Finally

HB 115 brings good news for Georgia drivers who

need to get replacement licenses. As of July 1,

the cost of replacement licenses drops from $15

to $5. The issue of the replacement license will

be only for the rime remaining on the original

license.

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