Georgia Car Laws You Didn’t Know Actually Existed
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 3 min read
- You could get a ticket for going the speed limit
- Move over for emergency vehicles and garbage trucks
- A bike is also a vehicle
- You can drive without shoes, but not with headphones
- Save on Georgia car insurance with Jerry
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Every state seems to have its own unique set of car laws, and
Georgia
is no different. But the interesting part about Georgia car laws is that a few of them are so specific, you might not know they are actual laws on the books.Here’s a look at some of the Georgia car laws that you probably didn’t know existed, as well as how to save on
car insurance
no matter where you live.
You could get a ticket for going the speed limit
In 2014, Georgia put in place a "slowpoke" law, which means that drivers in the left lane on a George highway, interstate or expressway must move over if a faster car approaches it, according to
Savannah Morning News
. That means even if you are going the speed limitin the left lane, you cannot hold up any traffic behind you. The idea behind the law is drivers going slower than the speed of traffic could create risk and impede the flow of traffic. Other states have enacted similar laws to help ease traffic congestion issues.
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Move over for emergency vehicles and garbage trucks
MORE: How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record?
In most states, it’s just a courtesy rule to move a lane over on a highway if there is an emergency vehicle on the side of the road. But in Georgia it’s actually a law and extends to utility trucks.
The law in Georgia says that motorists traveling in the lane adjacent to the shoulder must move over one lane when emergency vehicles or utility vehicles are stopped on the side and operating in an official capacity.
Vehicles that fall under this category include all first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS), utility vehicles, DOT vehicles, HERO Units and wreckers tending to an accident.
If traffic is too heavy to move over, the law says vehicles must slow down 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop.
A bike is also a vehicle
In Georgia, drivers must treat bicycles as if they are motor vehicles.
This also means that bicycles must follow all the laws that motor vehicles do—including stopping at red lights and driving on the correct side of the road.
You can drive without shoes, but not with headphones
Contrary to popular belief, in most cities and states it’s _not _illegal to drive barefoot, according to
Mental Floss
—Georgia included. However, it_ is _illegal in Georgia to drive with headphones in both of your ears. Technically you can wear one in one ear, but it’s probably best for safety purposes to not wear headphones at all while driving—plus, you should probably just wear your shoes anyway, too.
Save on Georgia car insurance with Jerry
No matter what strange laws or fines you might encounter in Georgia or whatever state you live in,
Jerry
can help save you money on car insurance. Jerry’s free app compares quotes from up to 45 different insurance companies for you in under a minute, helping you save as much money as possible without losing out on valuable coverage.
Jerry will send you quotes that compare to your current coverage—and as a licensed broker, it takes care of your insurance needs from start to finish. The app also monitors your car insurance rate every six months on an ongoing basis.
