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New Georgia Traffic Laws 2007

Hoax email purports to announce a set of new Georgia driving laws effective July 1, 2007.


Description: Email hoax
Circulating since: June 2007
Status: False


Email example contributed by R. Smith, 13 July 2007:

FW: Georgia Driving Laws Effective 7/1/07

Georgia Laws

Please be aware of the following new driving laws that the police will be ticketing drivers for. Most will not issue warnings for these offenses.

1. Misuse of the carpool lane- First time $1068.50 starting 7-1-07 (The $271.00 posted on the highway is old). Second offense is doubled. Third offense is tripled and fourth offense is license suspension. Thereafter, the driver may be jailed.

2. Incorrect lane change- $380.00. Don't cross the lane on solid lines or intersections.

3. Block intersection- $485.00

4. Driving on the shoulder- $450.00

5. Cell phone use in a construction zone -Double fine as of 7-01-07. *** Cell phone use must be "hands free" "while driving".

6. Passengers over 18 not using a seatbelt - Both passengers and drivers get tickets.

7. Speeders can only go 3 miles above the speed limit.

8. DUI = JAIL! (Stays on driving record for 10 years)

9. As of 7-01-07 cell phone use must be "hands free" while driving. Ticket is $285.00.


Comments: False. This message is a slightly revised version of a hoax purporting to announce new California traffic laws which has been in circulation since January 2007.

A similar copycat hoax has also circulated in Texas.

A statement posted on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Website says no changes have occurred in the Georgia traffic law. "Information contained in the email is false," the statement continues, "and as it spreads among email users is being adapted for different states, most recently Georgia."

An up-to-date listing of all state laws currently on the books in Georgia can be found at www.legis.state.ga.us.


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Further reading:

False Tales About Big Fines Frighten Georgia Drivers
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 14 July 2007

GSP Warns of Hoax Traffic Law Email
WGCL-TV News, 13 July 2007

Email Hoax Warns of Fake New Texas Traffic Laws
Associated Press, 3 July 2007

Beware of Texas Traffic Law Hoax, DPS Says
KWTX.com, 3 July 2007

Hoax: New California Traffic Laws for 2007
Earlier version of this hoax circulating since January 2007


Last updated: 07/14/07


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