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Georgia’s known for many things, like being a prime filming location for The Walking Dead and having astronomically expensive parking and traffic tickets. Unfortunately, this article will be all about the latter. Fire hydrant parking tickets in Georgia can be exceptionally expensive, especially if you don’t pay them immediately. Here’s what you need to know.
What Are the Fire Hydrant Laws in Georgia?
Rule 120-3-3-.05 of Georgia’s state codes requires all drivers to avoid parking too close to or obstructing the use of the state’s fire hydrants. Under this law, it is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant in any direction or to place items within 36 inches of it if those items might impede its efficient operation.
Failure to comply with either of these laws can result in you receiving a ticket. However, the most common version of these violations (and the only one that applies exclusively to drivers) is the parking restriction. Fortunately, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Laws?
There are a total of three common exceptions to Rule 120-3-3-.05.
The first exception applies to vehicles whose driver is ready and willing to move them immediately when a situation arises. To avoid a ticket under this exception, be sure to remain in the driver seat with the vehicle on and in drive. If you turn the vehicle off, put it in park, and/or leave the vehicle unattended for any duration of time, then you might not qualify for this exception.
The second exception applies when local laws or ordinances supersede the state law. For example, city restrictions on parking near fire hydrants take precedence over state restrictions. If the state restricts the distance to 15 feet and the city only restricts it to 10, then 10 feet it is! Any distance shorter than 10 feet must be clearly marked with easily visible signs or other markings.
The third exception applies to firefighters who are driving clearly marked vehicles that are owned by a fire department. This means that firefighters driving their work vehicles cannot receive tickets for parking next to fire hydrants. Keep in mind that this exception does not apply to personal vehicles. Firefighters driving their personal vehicles can still receive tickets.
When Are the Hydrant Laws in Effect?
Georgia’s fire hydrant parking restrictions are constantly in effect all day and all night. There is generally no time when you can legally park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless you meet one or more of the aforementioned exceptions.
What Is the Cost of a Fire Hydrant Ticket in Georgia?
Fire hydrant parking tickets in Georgia can be considerably expensive, more so if you wait too long to pay them. A standard fine for one of these violations is about $40, but that can more than double if you take longer than 30 days to pay it.
Why Are Hydrant Tickets So Strict?
Part of the reason why fire hydrant parking restrictions are so strict is because of the damage that can occur when they’re not followed. For example, let’s say you park your car next to a fire hydrant and leave it there. A fire erupts. Now, the firefighters have to attempt to access the fire hydrant by moving around your car. While they struggle to do so, the nearby fires are raging and property damage is climbing.
To prevent situations like this from happening, Georgia state lawmakers have decided to put a full ban on parking too closely to fire hydrants.
Can You Park by a Broken Hydrant?
You can park by a broken fire hydrant, but you shouldn’t. Why? Just because a fire hydrant looks broken doesn’t mean that it actually is. The thing about state-owned equipment is that it can sometimes look like the most ramshackle piece of junk but still work flawlessly. These appearances can deceive you right into getting a parking ticket.
Even if the hydrant actually is broken, there’s a chance that the local municipality doesn’t know that it’s broken. In which case, there will be no official records to support your claim that the fire hydrant was broken. That lack of evidence can make it impossible to prove your case, resulting in any ticket being upheld.
Can I Get My Fire Hydrant Ticket Reduced or Dismissed?
The most effective way to reduce or dismiss a fire hydrant parking ticket is to contest it in Georgia’s traffic courts. Begin by responding to the ticket with a plea of not guilty. Then either hire a lawyer and wash your hands of the whole thing or prepare an argument, research case law, and study up on courtroom procedures on your own.
What To Bring to Court When Fighting Your Ticket
When you go to court on your assigned date, be sure to bring any evidence you have, the original ticket (and maybe a few copies), and an argument letter. Consult with your attorney before bringing anything else, as your case might suffer when the wrong things are submitted to the court.
Evidence
Evidence includes everything from witness testimony to photos or videos of the incident. Many people wrongly believe that you need to bring evidence that proves your innocence. That’s not the case in American courts. Rather, you only need to bring evidence that proves that the claims against you are not “clear and convincing.” It is the state’s responsibility to shoulder the burden of proof and justify the charges against you.
The Original Ticket
Bringing the original ticket to court will help you keep track of all the information pertinent to your case. It contains information vital to your argument, such as the full description of the charges against you. And, if you do lose your case, you might be able to pay your ticket on the same day without having to make a second trip down to the courthouse.
An Argument Letter
An argument letter is a written document detailing all of the arguments you used in your case. Do not write an argument letter with the intention of using it to replace your oral argument. Instead, you should write one that supplements and supports your oral argument. This helps to ensure that all of the key points of your argument are added to the case file, in case an appeal becomes necessary.
Hiring an Attorney To Fight Your Ticket Through appwinit.com
Nobody knows the law quite as well as lawyers. Fire hydrant parking laws in Georgia are no exception. If you’ve received a parking ticket for parking too closely to a fire hydrant, download the WinIt app or head to www.appwinit.com today to view your options.
You never know! You might be able to find an expert parking ticket attorney with years of experience helping people just like you get out of situations just like this. Instead of paying hefty fines and fees, consider taking your case to court and winning it with WinIt.
