Police in Georgia can pull you over for equipment issues, speeding, and reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. It makes sense to avoid giving police officers an excuse to pull you over, and you should keep your vehicle in good condition as a result. If you believe that you were unlawfully pulled over by an officer or you need to fight a traffic ticket, contact a traffic ticket lawyer in Georgia.
Speeding
Speeding is a common reason for a traffic stop in Georgia. If a police officer sees you speeding, they have the right to pull you over. While some police officers are equipped with radar guns and other speed-measuring devices, they may also pull you over based solely on their visual observations. They might “pace” you, a technique that involves following behind you at the same speed and checking their own speedometer for reference.
That said, you may find it surprisingly easy to challenge a speeding ticket if an officer based it on their visual observations alone. You might point out that other cars, hedges, or walls prevented the officer from tracking your vehicle and accurately determining your speed. You might also argue that the officer lacks the required training to gauge your speed by eye. You could even highlight their vision problems.
Other Traffic Offenses
Aside from speeding, all kinds of other traffic infractions could also lead to valid traffic stops. These include running red lights, failing to use your turn signals, improper merging, rolling through stop signs, and so on. If an officer sees you commit even a basic traffic violation, they can pull you over.
Equipment Issues
The easiest way to avoid an unwanted traffic stop is to keep your vehicle in good working order. Replace light bulbs as soon as they burn out. Make sure your vehicle does not have any banned aftermarket parts. Consider repairing damaged panels if they represent a safety hazard. Do not give officers any excuse to pull you over.
Reasonable Suspicion
Even if your vehicle is in perfect working order and you have not committed any traffic infractions, police officers could still potentially pull you over if they have reasonable suspicion that you recently committed a crime.
For example, your vehicle might perfectly match the description of a car involved in a hit-and-run, a drug deal, or even a murder. A police officer might pull you over and later argue that they had reasonable suspicion you were driving the same vehicle involved in the criminal activity.
Can a Traffic Ticket Lawyer in Georgia Help Me?
A traffic ticket lawyer in Georgia may be able to help if you’re serious about fighting your ticket. If a police officer pulled you over for no reason and you’re facing criminal charges as a result, a lawyer can also help you push back. For further guidance, contact Lankford & Moore Law at (678) 753-4529. You can also visit us online.
