Athens GA DUI Law Blog

One of the most often repeated tips for intoxicated party goers is to have a designated driver on hand in case they drink a little too much. You could take turns in your friend group to see who should lay off the cocktails that night or see if there are any family members or friends nearby who can give you a ride.

However, you and your friends aren’t completely safe yet. If an officer forces your group to pull over, you can still get in trouble even if your designated driver was sober. It is important for you and your friends to understand what laws you may break depending on your driver choice during your night out.

University of Georgia football fans have not been able to consume alcohol openly in Sanford Stadium unless they were one of the lucky few who had seats in a skybox or private suite. Beginning next year, however, Bulldogs supporters may be able to buy alcohol inside the stadium.

Late last month, the chancellors and presidents of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) overturned the ban on alcohol sales within athletic facilities. They voted to allow universities to establish their own individual alcohol policies, although only beer and wine can be sold. The new policy will be effective Aug. 1.

You don't have to drive a car, truck or even a motorcycle to be arrested for DUI. One Bolingbroke man learned that lesson the hard way. He was arrested on April 25 when he drove his lawnmower to a local gas station to buy beer.

According to the Monroe County sheriff, the man was arrested at a gas station located off GA Highway 19 South. Apparently, someone saw him driving the lawnmower down the highway and called the sheriff's office because they believed he was intoxicated. The sheriff says that sometimes situations aren't what witnesses describe. However, in this case, "the caller was exactly right -- there was an intoxicated man on a lawnmower driving down the road."

If you're the parent of a teen, it's probably no surprise to learn that they're more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs for the first time in June and July than in any other months. In fact, they may be more than twice as likely to try one or both for the first time during those summer months. That's according to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Increased free time, more parties and lack of adult supervision during the summer can all lead to more exposure to illegal substances -- including alcohol, which is illegal in Georgia, with just a few exceptions, for those under 21.