Georgia has plenty of standard traffic laws that drivers learn in their license exam, but the state also has some unusual regulations that might surprise you. While some of these laws seem outdated or oddly specific, they’re technically still enforceable.
Here are some of the strange driving laws in Georgia that Kennesaw area residents might not know exist.
The Blindfold Driving Ban
The so-called “blindfold driving ban” is often associated with Alabama law. It stems from Alabama’s reckless driving law, which prohibits operating a vehicle in a wanton or willful disregard of safety. So, yes, driving while blindfolded would be prohibited since it would be reckless.
In Georgia, there is no express “blindfold driving ban.” Instead, drivers could be prosecuted under the state’s reckless driving law. A driver may also be charged under O.C.G.A. §40‑6‑241 (Hands‑Free / distracted driving) for failing to exercise due care when operating a vehicle.
Rules About Spitting from Vehicles
Georgia does not have a statewide law that specifically bans spitting from a vehicle. However, local ordinances may apply. For example, some cities prohibit spitting in public places, which can include streets and vehicles traveling on public roads.
Spitting from a car can also lead to more serious consequences depending on the circumstances. If saliva makes contact with another person, the act could result in a simple battery charge. In other situations, Georgia’s littering laws may apply depending on what is expelled from the vehicle.
Horn Use is Restricted
Georgia law requires passenger vehicles to be equipped with a functioning horn, but its use is limited. Drivers may only use a horn when it is reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation, such as to warn another motorist of an immediate hazard.
Using a horn for unnecessary, excessive, or non-safety-related purposes on a highway is prohibited and can result in a traffic citation.
Odd Right-of-Way and Passing Laws
Georgia traffic law also includes right-of-way rules that apply in situations many drivers rarely encounter. They concern:
- Funeral processions: Properly marked funeral processions are granted the right of way, provided the lead vehicle displays a flag, and the vehicles operate with headlights on. Processions must still yield to emergency vehicles and traffic officers.
- Farm equipment on roadways: Drivers may be required to yield to farm tractors or agricultural equipment when those vehicles cannot safely move to the edge of the roadway due to physical obstacles.
- Passing sanitation vehicles: When approaching an active sanitation vehicle displaying flashing lights, drivers must move to a non-adjacent lane when possible. If changing lanes is not safe, drivers are required to slow down to reduce the risk of injury to sanitation workers.
- Animal-drawn vehicles: Georgia law extends traffic rights and duties to individuals riding animals or operating animal-drawn vehicles. While some rules naturally do not apply, these road users are generally treated like motor vehicle drivers under traffic law.
While these right-of-way and passing rules may seem uncommon, they reflect Georgia’s effort to account for a wide range of roadway conditions and users.
Why These Laws Still Matter
Although many of Georgia’s unusual traffic laws are rarely enforced, violations can still result in citations, fines, or misdemeanor charges. More importantly, traffic violations can carry legal consequences beyond a ticket.
In car accident cases, violating a traffic law may establish negligence per se. This legal doctrine allows a court to presume a driver was negligent if the violation caused the type of harm the law was intended to prevent.
When negligence per se applies, the burden may shift to the at-fault driver to show that the violation was justified or that reasonable care was exercised under the circumstances. As a result, even obscure or unfamiliar traffic rules can influence liability and damages.
Injured in a Kennesaw, Georgia, Car Accident?
Whether a collision involves a common or an unusual traffic violation, Starks Byron, P.C., in Kennesaw helps accident victims throughout Georgia understand their rights and pursue fair compensation for their injuries. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with our Kennesaw car accident lawyer.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Starks Byron, P.C. to schedule a free consultation in Kennesaw, GA today.
We proudly serve Cobb County and its surrounding areas:
Starks Byron, P.C.
1275 Shiloh Rd NW Ste 2710, Kennesaw, GA 30144
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