Bottom line
This page is a current-reference page for 40-6-272. Duty upon striking fixture.. Match the facts to the statutory language and verify agency/prosecutor charging practice when needed.
O.C.G.A. section
40-6-272. Duty upon striking fixture.
Officer field notes
- Confirm and document the specific conduct that matches the statute, not just the code number.
- For traffic stops, articulate the observed violation, location/public roadway facts, vehicle tag/driver identifiers, and any video or witness evidence.
- Verify effective dates, enhancements, and agency charging practices before relying on the post for court-sensitive decisions.
Report / citation articulation tips
- Use the statutory phrase that matches the observed facts.
- Include the who/what/where/when, how you observed it, and any admissions or corroborating evidence.
- If issuing a citation, preserve the specific subsection or factual basis in notes/bodycam/report narrative.
Current statutory text
40-6-272. Duty upon striking fixture.
The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a fixture legally upon or adjacent to a highway shall take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner or person in charge of such property of such fact and of his name and address and of the registration number of the vehicle he is driving and shall, upon request and if available, exhibit his operator’s license.
(Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 556, § 44; Code 1981, §
40-6-273
; Code 1981, §
40-6-272
, as redesignated by Ga. L. 1990, p. 2048, § 5.)
JUDICIAL DECISIONS
Intent charge proper.
– Since the defendant’s intent in leaving the scene of the accident was an element of an offense under O.C.G.A.
§
40-6-272
, the trial court’s charge concerning the legal inference that a person of sound mind and discretion intends the natural and probable consequences of their intentional acts was relevant and proper. Wadsworth v. State,
209 Ga. App. 333
,
433 S.E.2d 419
(1993).
Cited in
In the Interest of J.D.T.,
262 Ga. App. 860
,
586 S.E.2d 748
(2003).
OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Requirement to stop not extended to trains and crews.
– Requirement to stop at the scene of a motor vehicle incident does not extend to railroad trains and their operating crews. 1970 Op. Att’y Gen. No. 70-32.
RESEARCH REFERENCES
Am. Jur. 2d.
– 7A Am. Jur. 2d, Automobiles and Highway Traffic,
§
326 et seq.
C.J.S.
– 60 C.J.S., Motor Vehicles,
§
46. 61A C.J.S., Motor Vehicles,
§
1692 et seq.
ALR.
– Liability for injuries due to collision between street car and automobile at street intersection,
28 A.L.R. 217
;
46 A.L.R. 1000
.
Constitutionality, construction, and effect of statute in relation to conduct of driver of automobile after happening of an accident,
66 A.L.R. 1228
;
101 A.L.R. 911
.
Duty toward travelers as regards condition of street or highway left as result of an accident therein,
81 A.L.R. 1004
.
Criminal responsibility of one other than driver at time of accident, under “hit and run” statute, 62 A.L.R.2d 1130.
Sufficiency of compliance with requirement of criminal “hit and run” statute that motorist identify himself, 48 A.L.R.3d 685.
Source / verification note: Updated from the Georgia Code public CIC/Lexis-linked source snapshot used for this audit. Verify court-sensitive decisions against the official Georgia Code and agency policy. Last reviewed: 2026-05-23.