Ticket for cutting around cars in an emergency lane

[The_Atl]

Atlanta, Georgia
Hi, I live in Atlanta, Ga. and last Friday, I was in my exit lane (It's exit only) ready to get off. However, on Friday afternoons the traffic is very heavy, and many cars from the main lanes pull over into the exit only lane, race 5 cars ahead, then put on their turn signals to get back over. Many people whose exit it is pull around these cars in the emergency lane since the people that use it as their "passing" lane can take what seems like forever when you get back over. Well, a state trooper was on me this time and gave me the ticket. Fine, OK, though I didn't know it was a state law, I accept the ticket, I was wrong and am ready to pay the thing. I've had maybe 5 tickets in 40 years of driving, so it's not the kind of matter I'm used to and I've always paid those by mail. So, I call the automated court number and the voice says this ticket can't be paid by mail and I have to appear in court. Does anyone happen to know why this has to be done by court appearance? It certainly seems less dangerous than speeding or running a red light.

[The_Atl]

Since the last post, I've checked the court pages for Atlanta and this is indeed not typically a court appearance type of ticket. It's going to be 250 bucks but I know there is little I can do about that. I just can't understand why I have to appear.

[Antigone*of*Greece]

Originally Posted by The_Atl

Since the last post, I've checked the court pages for Atlanta and this is indeed not typically a court appearance type of ticket. It's going to be 250 bucks but I know there is little I can do about that. I just can't understand why I have to appear.

um...maybe they just want to see your pretty face???

Have you tried calling them and asking?

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by The_Atl

Since the last post, I've checked the court pages for Atlanta and this is indeed not typically a court appearance type of ticket. It's going to be 250 bucks but I know there is little I can do about that. I just can't understand why I have to appear.

**A: the court has a few questions for you.

[proud_parent]

Originally Posted by The_Atl

Since the last post, I've checked the court pages for Atlanta and this is indeed not typically a court appearance type of ticket. It's going to be 250 bucks but I know there is little I can do about that. I just can't understand why I have to appear.

Georgia is one of a few states that received a grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to fund a Targeting Agressive Cars and Trucks (TACT) initiative. The program aims to reduce crashes by cracking down on risky driving behaviors.

Behaviors specifically targeted include excessive speed, improper passing, reckless driving, driving across the gore or in a median, driving in the emergency lane, following too closely, failing to signal when changing lanes, and operating commercial vehicles without a valid CDL.

Perhaps the mandatory court appearance is part of stepped-up enforcement in conjunction with this program.

[The_Atl]

Originally Posted by Wirelessany1

um...maybe they just want to see your pretty face???

Well, I am rather stunning.

Have you tried calling them and asking?

Yes, but the ticket wasn't entered into the record until today and it's now the weekend.

the court has a few questions for you

Oh nooes, I drove in an emergency lane, I must be with Al-CIAda!

Thanks Proud Parent.