armymomplacer
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
Hi,
I know this is probably a silly thing to write about but I'm 43 yo and never had a ticket....that is until last Thursday. There is a 14 mile stretch of road in a town I drove thru recently. A CHP was sitting on the side of the 2-lane hwy. I was the last car in the line of traffic passing him - speed limit is 55. He pulled out behind me and turned his lights on to pull me over. I could not come up with what I did wrong....He told me that I failed to obey a regulatory sign that says headlights required. I just passed the sign which was less than a mile from where he pulled me over. (I checked it on my return home a few days later). I was a little stunned - first, I thought I always kept my daytime running lights on. There are two light controllers on my car and one is set to auto and the other is set to on (fog lights). He told me they were not on and that he was going to cite me. I told him that I thought they were always on and he proceeded to tell me that "I need to get to know my car better". Anyway, I thanked him for telling me about the lights as I really didn't know they were not always on (whenever I pull in my garage they automatically turn on so I never really knew they weren't) - I know...stupid of me. I believe it is $35 and then I have to do traffic school. If I pay the fine, will I have a point against me? I feel I should have been given a "fix it" or at least a warning since I have a clean record and drive safely. It was a little hard to swallow as I sat there waiting for my citation and watched several semi's, state vehicles and fifth wheels whiz by with no headlights. I honestly didn't know it was a requirement. On my way home, I noticed the signs clearly state CHP enforced. I guess I'm just a little taken back...should I just bite the bullet and be grateful it was only a headlight violation? Is it worth going to court?
Hi,
I know this is probably a silly thing to write about but I'm 43 yo and never had a ticket....that is until last Thursday. There is a 14 mile stretch of road in a town I drove thru recently. A CHP was sitting on the side of the 2-lane hwy. I was the last car in the line of traffic passing him - speed limit is 55. He pulled out behind me and turned his lights on to pull me over. I could not come up with what I did wrong....He told me that I failed to obey a regulatory sign that says headlights required. I just passed the sign which was less than a mile from where he pulled me over. (I checked it on my return home a few days later). I was a little stunned - first, I thought I always kept my daytime running lights on. There are two light controllers on my car and one is set to auto and the other is set to on (fog lights). He told me they were not on and that he was going to cite me. I told him that I thought they were always on and he proceeded to tell me that "I need to get to know my car better". Anyway, I thanked him for telling me about the lights as I really didn't know they were not always on (whenever I pull in my garage they automatically turn on so I never really knew they weren't) - I know...stupid of me. I believe it is $35 and then I have to do traffic school. If I pay the fine, will I have a point against me? I feel I should have been given a "fix it" or at least a warning since I have a clean record and drive safely. It was a little hard to swallow as I sat there waiting for my citation and watched several semi's, state vehicles and fifth wheels whiz by with no headlights. I honestly didn't know it was a requirement. On my way home, I noticed the signs clearly state CHP enforced. I guess I'm just a little taken back...should I just bite the bullet and be grateful it was only a headlight violation? Is it worth going to court?