2025 Georgia Codes – Page 263

(a) It is unlawful and, unless otherwise declared in this chapter with respect to particular offenses, it is a mis-
demeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this chapter.
(b) Unless a different maximum fine or greater minimum fine is specifically provided in this chapter for a
particular violation, the maximum fine which may be imposed as punishment for a first offense of violating
any lawful speed limit established by or pursuant to the provisions of Article 9 of this chapter by exceeding
a maximum lawful speed limit:
(1) By five miles per hour or less shall be no dollars;
(2) By more than five but not more than ten miles per hour shall not exceed $25.00;
(3) By more than ten but not more than 14 miles per hour shall not exceed $100.00;
(4) By more than 14 but less than 19 miles per hour shall not exceed $125.00;
(5) By 19 or more but less than 24 miles per hour shall not exceed $150.00; or
(6) By 24 or more but less than 34 miles per hour shall not exceed $500.00.

No person shall fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any law enforcement officer or
firefighter, nonsworn employee or volunteer authorized under Code Section 35-1-11, or individual designat-
ed under Code Section 20-2-1131 with the authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.

(a) The provisions of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles refer to the operation of vehicles upon
highways except:
(1) Where a different place is specifically referred to in a given Code section;
(2) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to a vehicle operated at shopping centers or parking lots or
similar areas which although privately owned are customarily used by the public as through streets or con-
nector streets;
(3) The provisions of this chapter relating to reckless driving, driving in violation of Code Section 40-6-391,
and homicide by vehicle shall apply to vehicles operated upon highways and elsewhere throughout the
state;
(4) The provisions of Code Sections 40-6-270, 40-6-271, and 40-6-272 shall apply upon the highways of this
state, in all parking areas, and in all areas which are customarily open to the public and within 200 feet of
all such highways, parking areas, and areas customarily open to the public;
(5)(A) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to a vehicle operated on any private property of this state
which fronts on coastal marshlands or estuarine area as defined in Code Section 12-5-282, provided the
owner of the private property files with the local law enforcement agency having primary jurisdiction to
enforce the uniform rules of the road in such area:
(i) A petition requesting such local law enforcement agency to enforce the uniform rules of the road on
such private property; and
(ii) Simultaneously files a plat with the petition delineating the location of the roads, streets, and common
areas on such private property.
(B) The local law enforcement agency having primary jurisdiction to enforce the uniform rules of the road
in such area shall enforce the uniform rules of the road on said private property at no cost to the owner of
the private property or enter into a contractual agreement with the owner of the private property whereby
the owner of the private property consents to pay part or all of the law enforcement expenses to such law
enforcement agency.
(C) All persons operating vehicles on said roads, streets, and common areas shall be subject to all state and
local traffic laws and regulations the same as if said private roads and streets were public roads and streets.
(D) Any state or local law enforcement agency empowered to enforce the uniform rules of the road in such
area shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the primary local law enforcement agency to enforce the rules
of the road on said private property.
(E) At least 30 days’ prior notice shall be given to users of said private roads, streets, and common areas
by publication in the newspapers of general circulation in the area and by posting signs along the private
roads and streets specifying that state and local law enforcement agencies will be enforcing the uniform
rules of the road on said private roads, streets, and common areas; and
(6)(A) Subject to the approval of the governing authority of the county or municipality, the provisions of
this chapter shall apply to a vehicle operated within a privately owned residential area located within the
corporate boundaries of a municipality or located within the boundaries of a county, provided the owner of
the privately owned residential area files with the governing authority of such county or municipality:
(i) A petition signed by 50 percent of the property owners located in said subdivision requesting the law
enforcement agency of the county or municipality to enforce the uniform rules of the road within such
privately owned residential area; and
(ii) A plat delineating the location of roads, streets, and common areas within the privately owned residen-
tial area.
(B) Upon approval by the governing authority of the county or municipality, the law enforcement agency of
such county or municipality shall enforce the uniform rules of the road within said privately owned resi-
dential area.
(C) All persons operating vehicles on the roads, streets, and common areas of said privately owned residen-
tial property shall be subject to all state and local traffic laws and regulations the same as if such private
roads, streets, and common areas were public roads and streets.
(D) At least 30 days’ prior notice shall be given to users of said private roads, streets, and common areas by
publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the area and by posting signs along the private road,
streets, and common areas specifying that the county law enforcement agency or municipal law enforce-
ment agency will be enforcing the uniform rules of the roads on said private roads, streets, and common
areas.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, any law enforcement officer shall
be authorized to write an accident report regarding any motor vehicle accident occurring on private property.