Is rat-running in traffic illegal on the road in Georgia? Here’s what the law says

Traffic can be a pain sometimes.

Busy intersections, frequent red lights, distracted drivers. It’s all a part of the road, but is there a way to avoid it? Maybe just use a shortcut, like a side road, in order to get to your destination quicker?

Well, let’s see if that’s legal or not in Georgia, shall we? Here’s what to know:

What is rat-running?

“Rat-running” is a term used to describe when drivers take a shortcut like a residential road or business to avoid a red light, stop sign or escape traffic.

It may seem like a harmless thing to do, right? Let’s just make sure that theory is true.

Is rat-running illegal in Georgia?

While it isn’t illegal in the state of Georgia as no laws address rat-running, there are some other things to know.

Rat-running is dangerous because it can cause major accidents in parking lots with other cars or even pedestrians, according to several Reddit users. If drivers are in a hurry to avoid a red light or stop sign, they may also be tempted to speed, which is illegal and could cause additional accidents.

Moreover, some cities and counties in Georgia have laws that make rat-running illegal, so it’s best to brush up on your local laws before doing it.

In Macon-Bibb County, it is “unlawful for the driver of any motorized vehicle to drive such vehicle across the private property of another, when the driver of such vehicle has no intention to stop for the purpose of carrying on business, personal or otherwise, so as to avoid entering any intersection.”

However, in areas like Columbus or Atlanta, there are no specific traffic laws prohibiting rat-running.

Have more questions? Let me know at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

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