Baited into unsafe lane change..?

[azredwing]

What is the name of your state? Arizona

Hi all,

I've got a question about a ticket I recently received from Arizona DPS. Here's what happened:

I was going on the I-10 from Phoenix, AZ to Tucson, with a posted speed of 75. In front of me is a car going about 65 and I find myself getting too close to him, so I intend to pass. I signal to pass, and the DPS officer in the lane next to me speeds up into my blind spot. Okay, fine, so I wait to let the officer pass me -- remember, I'm going 65 right now. He continues to hover in my blind spot. After two minutes, I think, "Well, he's not gonna go and I've been signaling for a long time -- just go." After I go, he pops the lights.

Needless to say, he gave me a ticket for unsafe lane change -- but as a driver, he had the option of not hovering in my blind spot (which I thought is unsafe to begin with) and passing both myself and the car in front of me. Personally, I don't feel "entrapped" but I do feel that I was baited into making the lane change, and the officer could have very easily passed both of us -- and thus, no ticket for unsafe lane change. If I were to go ahead and fight the ticket, would there be any chance of winning and dropping the ticket?

Also, I am a college student at the University of Arizona, and they scheduled me so that I have to drive an hour out to the courthouse during a class session. Do you think they'd be okay if I called them and requested to move back the court date from a Friday to Saturday?

Thanks for the help.

[racer72]

The officer did not force you to change lanes. Nothing in you post suggest the ticket is not proper or legal. I would suggest talking to a local attorney or checking to see if you are eligible for driving school, if it is available.

[moburkes]

I'm trying to figure out how a person knows where your particular blind spot is.

[Hey There]

1. Borrow from the library or buy ($21.99) Beat Your Ticket Go to Court & Win by Attorney David W. Brown. This is the only book you will need to complete Traffic Ticket #1.

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2. I'm a member of the National Motorists Association and always recommend to check out their website for information on Traffic Tickets even if not a member.
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3. It helps when you state what you've been cited for to mention the VC violation the officer wrote on the ticket.

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4. Find out if discovery is available in Arizona. If Discovery is available you are entitled to the officer's notes, the video and anything else he plans to use in court. If it isn't available you may be able to obtain the same information through a request for the records pertaining to your case.
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5. Call the clerk and ask for a continuance as long as it doesn't interfere with your right to a speedy trial.

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6. Treat this as you would when doing research for a class .
Have other students experienced getting a traffic ticket?
Check out court websites and Arizona Vehicle Laws.
Some lawyers will give a free or modest fee for a first time visit.
.Check the Yellow Pages.

Regards, Hey There, 8-22-07