Section 5: Traffic Laws

Overview

Section 5 of the Georgia Department of Driver Services Driver's Manual focuses on various traffic laws crucial for maintaining safety and orderly movement on public highways. Understanding these laws is essential for preventing crashes and ensuring the safety of all road users.

Key Topics Covered

• Right-of-Way Laws: Rules governing the priority of road users in various traffic situations.
• Georgia's Move-Over Law: Requires vehicles to move over for emergency vehicles and personnel.
• Passing Laws:
  • How to pass on two-lane roads
  • Situations where passing is prohibited or permitted
  • Rules for passing on the right
  • Protocol when being passed by another vehicle
  • Specific guidelines for passing stopped cars, bicyclists, and motorcyclists
  • Prohibition of weaving between lanes
• Turn Signals and Making Turns Safely:
  • Use of turn signals
  • Instructions for making right and left turns
  • Considerations for pedestrian safety
  • Guidelines for U-turns and multi-lane highway turns
  • Identification of illegal signals
• Stopping, Standing, and Parking: Appropriate measures and regulations.
• Parallel Parking: Step-by-step instructions for executing parallel parking.
• Backing Up: Guidelines for reversing safely.
• Traveling Speed Regulations:
  • "Super Speeder" laws
  • Speed limits and consequences of driving too slowly
• Railroad Crossings: Proper behavior and legal requirements.
• Highway Work Zones:
  • Speed reduction
  • Importance of obeying signs and flaggers
  • Yielding to amber lights and mobile work vehicles
  • Work zone driving tips and lane position adjustments
• Other Traffic Laws:
  • Controlled-access roadways
  • Coasting restrictions
  • Laws against driving under the influence, reckless driving, and racing
  • Rules for trucks, vehicles pulling trailers, and riding in trailers
  • Functioning of one-way streets and median strips
  • Use of headlights and night driving tips
  • Georgia's litter control law
  • Safety belt and child restraint laws
  • Distracted driving laws, including texting and following emergency vehicles

Basic Traffic Laws

• Obey Traffic Devices: Adherence to lights and signs is mandatory.
• Follow Law Enforcement Directions: Even if they contradict traffic devices.
• Roadway Closures: Never drive on roads closed for construction or events.

Importance of Traffic Laws

Traffic laws are essential for preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all road users. Understanding and obeying these laws is critical for avoiding crashes and protecting lives.

For more detailed information, refer to the Georgia Department of Driver Services Driver's Manual and the specific sections on various traffic laws.