Driving Too Close Ticket After Accident

[question81]

I received a ticket for following too closely after being involved in an accident. I was in stop and go morning traffic heading east toward the sun. As I was driving I was temporarily blinded by the sun glare, which caused the driver in front of me to slam on his brakes. By the time I hit my brakes, it was too late to avoid hitting him. The officer who arrived on the scene told me he had no choice and that it was department protocol to issue me the ticket. He also recommended that I even plead not guilty. I cannot afford to be found guilty of this charge because it carries four points. I have points on my license from other infractions (speeding,etc.) that I have plead guilty to. My question is is there any legal defense and will my history of admitting when Im guilty work in my favor. The ticket was issued in Long Island (Nassau County), New York. Thank you.

 

[Ohiogal]

I received a ticket for following too closely after being involved in an accident. I was in stop and go morning traffic heading east toward the sun. As I was driving I was temporarily blinded by the sun glare, which caused the driver in front of me to slam on his brakes. By the time I hit my brakes, it was too late to avoid hitting him. The officer who arrived on the scene told me he had no choice and that it was department protocol to issue me the ticket. He also recommended that I even plead not guilty. I cannot afford to be found guilty of this charge because it carries four points. I have points on my license from other infractions (speeding,etc.) that I have plead guilty to. My question is is there any legal defense and will my history of admitting when Im guilty work in my favor. The ticket was issued in Long Island (Nassau County), New York. Thank you.

Nope your history of admitting guilt will not work in your favor. and you were following too closely if you could not stop to avoid the car in front of you.

 

[justalayman]

As I was driving I was temporarily blinded by the sun glare, which caused the driver in front of me to slam on his brakes. By the time I hit my brakes, it was too late to avoid hitting him.

I love it. The OP was blinded and it caused the driver in front of him/her to slam on his brakes.

What reason would you possibly have to plead not guilty?

 

[question81]

If I knew what reason I had to plead not guilty, I wouldn't have posted the question.

 

[seniorjudge]

If I knew what reason I had to plead not guilty, I wouldn't have posted the question.

Ask the prosecutor for a nonmoving vioation; it will cost you a lot more but there will be no points and no insurance hassles.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Ask the prosecutor for a nonmoving vioation; it will cost you a lot more but there will be no points and no insurance hassles.

Always worth a shot, but with what sounds like a fairly significant prior record, coupled with the area (not very plea-friendly), I wouldn't count on it.

As has been noted, there is no defense to this ticket based on the facts you posted (incidentally, this was on the GCP, wasn't it?). You're best hope may be to take a DMV-approved defensive driving class to knock some points off your license, assuming you're eligible.

 

[question81]

Yeah it was on the GCP, actually the Northern State (same difference). I actually have already completed the defensive driving course. Thanks for the advice though.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Yeah it was on the GCP, actually the Northern State (same difference). I actually have already completed the defensive driving course. Thanks for the advice though.

Yep, no surprise there - you aren't the only bonehead to slam their breaks coming around that turn

Anyway, is your ticket returnable in the Hempstead court?

 

[question81]

What do you mean returnable in court?

 

[seniorjudge]

What do you mean returnable in court?

Lawyer gobbledygook for

Where you 'posed to show at bro?

 

[You Are Guilty]

Lawyer gobbledygook for

Where you 'posed to show at bro?

Yep, sorry. Which courthouse do you have to go to to give them your money?

 

[seniorjudge]

Yep, sorry. Which courthouse do you have to go to to give them your money?

Somebody asked me once, "I see in the paper where you keep issuing warrants for failure to appear. Just where did those folks fail to appear?"

 

[question81]

Yeah, I have to appear in Hempstead.

 

[seniorjudge]

Yeah, I have to appear in Hempstead.

They are really tough down there.