---
title: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-126. Intentionally interfering with safety or traffic control devices; penalty; exemption.
collection: code
id: 16-12-126
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-126 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-126
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-126.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/16-12-126/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t16-ch12-17-(v14b)-2024-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=a591fa7b_0#page=158
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMES AND OFFENSES / OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS / OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION / TRANSPORTATION PASSENGER SAFETY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 16-12-126. Intentionally interfering with safety or traffic control devices; penalty; exemption.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, it shall be unlawful intentionally to disable or inhibit the operation or effectiveness of any properly functioning safety device of any description or to render any item or substance less safe when said item or substance is in any freight of a transportation company, in baggage or possessions of a passenger, or in a terminal.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, it shall be unlawful to intentionally render inoperable or partially inoperable for any period of time any properly functioning device designed or operated for traffic control that is owned, operated, or maintained by or for the benefit of a transportation company.

(c) Any violation of this Code section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five nor more than 20 years, a fine not to exceed $100,000.00, or both.

(d) Any violation of this Code section shall be considered a separate offense.

(e) This Code section shall not apply to authorized agents of the entity owning or operating such safety device or device designed or operated for traffic control.

## History

Code 1981, § 16-12-126, enacted by Ga. L. 2002, p. 1094, § 5; Ga. L. 2003, p. 423, § 3.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2002, p. 1094, § 1, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Transportation Security Act of 2002.’”