Pubdate: Thu, 31 Dec 2009
Source: Post-Searchlight, The (GA)
Contact: http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/contact/
Copyright: 2009 The Post-Searchlight.
Website: http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5114
Author: Brennan Leathers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hallucinogens.htm (Hallucinogens)

NEW LAWS FOR 2010

Drivers who like to speed could be deterred from stiff new fines for
excessive speeding.

Under a new Georgia law known as the "Super Speeder" legislation, an extra
fine of $200 can be added on top of any other fines issued for speeding
when a driver is convicted of going 85 miles per hour or more on any road
or highway, or 75 miles per hour or more on any two-lane road or highway.

The money collected from the "Super Speeder" fines will be used to fund a
trauma care system in Georgia.

According to state officials, approximately 60 percent of the state's
trauma center patients have been involved in automobile accidents.
Additionally, according to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, about
21 percent of the state's traffic fatalities are related to excessive
speed.

Drug Offenders Will Have Licenses Suspended

The "Super Speeder" legislation also delays the ability to get a driver's
license for any teen under the age of 16 who is found guilty of driving
under the influence of alcohol or drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana,
cocaine or certain controlled substances or of the unlawful possession of
a dangerous drug.

If found guilty, the teen's ability to apply for a driver's license or
learner's permit would be suspended and delayed until they reach the age
of 17; or the age of 18 upon a second or subsequent conviction. The teen
would also have to complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction
program and pay a license reinstatement fee.

The penalty could apply to teens caught in possession of ecstasy (MDMA),
LSD, various hallucinogenic substances, as well as teens caught unlawfully
possessing or selling controlled prescription drugs such as codeine,
hydrocodone, oxycodone and other narcotics.

Adults convicted of violating the Georgia Controlled Substances Act will
now have their driver's licenses suspended for a minimum of 180 days, have
to complete a DUI Risk Reduction Program and pay a reinstatement fee. The
license suspension period and reinstatement fees increase significantly
with each additional drug-related offense within five years.

[snip]
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doug