Transportation

All Georgia patrols to crack down on drunk driving, speeding

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Saturday, May 4th, 2013, 12:00pm

All Georgia patrols to crack down on drunk driving, speeding

(WXIA) -- Summer 2013, as reported by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, makes ten years in a row that police are bumping up the number of patrols throughout Georgia - to crack down on dangerous driving.

Katie Fallon, spokeswoman for the GOHS said the boost in patrol is part of the 100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) campaign. It is a strategy in which all jurisdictions of highway safety enforcement work to reduce aggressive, high-speed travel and driving under the influence. During the summer months, accidents happen from these two bad driving habits.

"Temperatures won't be the only thing making the heat rise this summer," Director Harris Blackwood said. "From drunk drivers to aggressive speeders, all unsafe motorists will be feeling the H.E.A.T."

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Ga. golf cart manufacturer issues recall

Submitted by Associated Press

Thursday, February 7th, 2013, 10:37am

Ga. golf cart manufacturer issues recall

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- An Augusta-based golf cart manufacturer has issued a recall for 950 of its vehicles.

Club Car has issued recalls for some of its gas-powered golf carts, which are used for short-distance transportation.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the fuel hose could separate from the fuel tank, which poses a fire hazard.

Federal officials say the vehicles involved in the recall were manufactured in 2013.

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GDOT Emergency Operations Center closing early Friday afternoon

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Friday, January 25th, 2013, 3:00pm

GDOT Emergency Operations Center closing early Friday afternoon

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Transportation closed their Emergency Operations Center early on Friday afternoon.

The center closed at 2:00 p.m., according to a spokeswoman for GDOT. GDOT decided to close early based on information from the National Weather Service, as it predicted that metro Atlanta will not be affected by severe weather conditions on Friday.

As reported, the Northeast Georgia District (D1) operations center will remain open until further notice. The spokesperson sad GDOT will have limited crews ready to respond as needed on the roadways.

Motorists are encouraged to visit www.georgia-navigator.com before making trips.

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Where to report icy road conditions in your neighborhood

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Thursday, January 24th, 2013, 7:22pm

Where to report icy road conditions in your neighborhood

(WXIA) -- With threats of inclement weather looming, icy road conditions are apt to develop overnight.

Counties surrounding metro Atlanta are preparing to treat roads before winter weather strikes. The 11Alive Help Desk has complied county contacts for you to report icy conditions in your neighborhood too.

Resource Page: Reporting Icy Road Conditions

If you come upon winter weather while in your vehicle, Safe Motorist recommends that you stay alert, slow down and stay in control.

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Biking to Better Safety

Submitted by traceychristensen on Wednesday, May 23rd, 3:05 pm

May is National Bike Month, a celebration of cyclists and the pastime they enjoy. Whether you ride a bicycle to work or school, or for exercise, National Bike Month is a great reminder of how to stay safe while biking on the road.

According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, in Georgia, as in most states, the bicycle is legally a vehicle, meaning that general traffic laws apply to cyclists. And because bikes share the road with cars and trucks, accidents can happen.

Sean Sue, M.D., an Emergency Medicine physician at Piedmont Hospital, says the most important safety tip for a cyclist is to always wear a helmet. “Head injuries account for two thirds of all bicycle-related deaths,” he says. “Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by more than 85 percent.”

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PEACHTREE CITY | State has no process to register golf carts

Submitted by Associated Press

Friday, December 30th, 2011, 8:02am

PEACHTREE CITY | State has no process to register golf carts

ATLANTA -- Georgia officials say there is no process to register golf carts in the state, despite a new law requiring it in certain instances.

Department of Revenue spokesman Jud Seymour said a law taking effect Sunday creates a classification for some carts called "personal transportation vehicles."

Seymour said the law requires the carts to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, even though most golf carts don't come with titles, which are required for registration.

Some places require emissions tests for registration, but there are currently no testing stations for golf carts, Seymour said.

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PEACHTREE CITY | Golf carts face stricter safety standards on roads

Submitted by Associated Press

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011, 9:00am

PEACHTREE CITY | Golf carts face stricter safety standards on roads

ATLANTA -- Golf cart owners in Georgia will soon have stricter requirements to follow if they plan to drive their carts on roadways.

A new law taking effect Jan. 1 creates a separate classification of personal transportation vehicles for golf carts. It also sets standards for towns and counties wanting to create ordinances allowing drivers to use the carts on residential streets and multi-purpose pathways. The law requires that golf carts have braking systems, a reverse warning device, tail lamps, a horn and hip restraints.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal this year after his predecessor, Gov. Sonny Perdue, vetoed a similar measure last year. It had backing from one of Georgia's key industries -- golf cart manufacturing.

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