2025 Georgia Codes – Page 316

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Drag race” means the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerated speeds
in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common
selected course from the same point to the same point for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or
power of acceleration of such vehicle or vehicles within a certain distance or time limit.
(2) “Racing” means the use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to outgain, outdistance, or prevent another
vehicle from passing, to arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles, or to test the
physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance driving routes.
(b) No person shall drive any vehicle on a highway in this state in any race, speed competition or contest,
drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or for the
purpose of making a speed record, and no person shall in any manner participate in any such race, competi-
tion of speed, contest of speed, or test or exhibition of speed.
(c) Any person convicted of violating subsection (b) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) “Highway work zone” means a segment of any highway, road, or street where the Department of Trans-
portation, a county, a municipality, or any contractor for any of the foregoing is engaged in constructing,
reconstructing, or maintaining the physical structure of the roadway or its shoulders or features adjacent to
the roadway, including without limitation underground or overhead utilities or highway appurtenances, or
any other type of work related thereto.
(2) “Work zone personnel” means employees of the Department of Transportation, a county, a municipality,
or any contractor for any of the foregoing.
(b)(1) The Department of Transportation, any county, or any municipality may designate any segment of a
highway, road, or street under its jurisdiction as a highway work zone.
(2) Whenever a highway work zone is designated pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, there shall be
erected or posted signage of adequate size at the beginning point of such highway work zone designating
the zone and warning the traveling public that increased penalties for speeding violations are in effect for
the highway work zone, and there shall be erected or posted at the end of such highway work zone adequate
signage indicating the end of such zone and that increased penalties for speeding violations are no longer in
effect.
(c)(1) The Department of Transportation or the governing authority of any county or municipal corporation
is authorized to establish a temporary reduction in the maximum speed limit through any highway work
zone located on or adjacent to any street or highway under its respective jurisdiction. The commissioner of
transportation or the local governing authority shall not be required to conduct any engineering and traffic
investigation in order to establish a reduced speed limit in a highway work zone pursuant to this paragraph.
(2) Whenever reduced speed zones are established pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, there shall be
erected or posted signage of adequate size at the beginning point of such speed zone designating the zone
and the speed limit to be observed therein, and there shall be erected or posted at the end of such speed zone
adequate signage indicating the end of such speed zone, which signage shall also indicate such different
speed limit as may then be observed. Signs indicating such reduced speed limit shall be spaced not further
than one mile apart throughout the highway work zone. Where the speed limit established pursuant to para-
graph (1) of this subsection is at least ten miles per hour less than the established speed limit on the street
or highway, there shall be erected at least 600 feet in advance of the beginning of the speed zone a sign of
adequate size which shall bear the legend “Reduced Speed Ahead.” Whenever any signage is required by
this paragraph, the same shall be in addition to the signage requirements of paragraph (2) of subsection (b)
of this Code section.
(d)(1) Any signage required by this Code section shall conform to applicable provisions of the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices; provided, however, that nothing in this Code section shall prohibit the use
of movable or portable speed limit signs in highway work zones.
(2) Any existing regulatory signage conflicting with signage erected or posted pursuant to this Code section
shall be removed, covered, folded, or turned so as not to be readable by oncoming motorists.
(e)(1) In order for a person to be cited or convicted for exceeding a speed limit, reduced or otherwise, in any
highway work zone as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, there must be present in the highway
work zone at the time of the offense the signage required by this Code section and either:
(A) Work zone personnel; or
(B) Barriers, on-site work vehicles, or shoulder or pavement drop offs that constitute a hazard to the travel-
ing public.
(2) A person convicted of exceeding the speed limit, reduced or otherwise, in any highway work zone des-
ignated pursuant to this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and
shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $2,000.00 or by imprisonment for a term
not to exceed 12 months, or both.
(f) Whenever the Department of Transportation finds it necessary to designate a highway work zone within a
county or municipality, the Department of Transportation shall be required to notify the county or municipal-
ity of the work activity; provided, however, that the failure of the Department of Transportation to give such
notice shall not be a defense to any charge of violating the speed limit in any highway work zone.