Orange County, CA. I received a two-in-one citation today by a very rude CHP officer. I'm not too sure what I can post here so let me know if something is against the rules. I should also say that in my 20 year driving history, this is my first ticket/citation for anything. The citation consists of crossing the double lines to exit the carpool lane and speeding and I drive a Prius.
Situation: When the 5 and 405 fwy merge, there are two carpool lanes. I was driving in the right lane at 72 (I had cruise control on so I'm absolutely sure on that). After about a mile, the two lanes merge into one. The cop was in the right lane going faster than me at first but slowed down to 65 right before me. I slowed down to 65 right after him. We drove like that to the next break in the carpool lane where I needed to exit so I signaled and exited. I also had to speed up since I was merging into the 'fast lane' so I started to accelerate in order to avoid getting rear-ended. Well, the instant I exited and started merging to the right, the cop exited the carpool lane and had his siren/lights on. When I pulled over (ignoring his rudeness though I have an edetic memory and can quote the entire conversion verbatim) he said he's citing me for the double yellow lines and for speeding. I have no issue with the speeding. I'll pay the fine or whatever it is they want me to do. My issue is with the other citation. I have NEVER crossed a double yellow line in my life (one of those boring rule followers that everyone loves to hate). Does anyone have any advice on this situation? I should also mention that the Prius doesn't really accelerate very quickly and since he was going 65 and pulled out right after me, I really didn't have time to accelerate to more than 70 before he pulled me over.
I have GPS in my car and I can get a report from that on my longitude/latitude and I recorded the entire conversation on my cell phone (though he does not know that). I also got a snapshot of traffic conditions at a couple of traffic websites showing that traffic was moving at above 70 at that time (Google Maps/Sigalert/CHP/Traffic). This will only help with the speeding area. I need to know if there is anything I can do to fight the double yellow. I'm planning to go out and take pictures of that area of the freeway tomorrow but that won't help with the he said/she said.
I was just cited today so there is some time before I need to be in court. Thank you ahead of time for any/all advice.
Situation: When the 5 and 405 fwy merge, there are two carpool lanes. I was driving in the right lane at 72 (I had cruise control on so I'm absolutely sure on that). After about a mile, the two lanes merge into one. The cop was in the right lane going faster than me at first but slowed down to 65 right before me. I slowed down to 65 right after him. We drove like that to the next break in the carpool lane where I needed to exit so I signaled and exited. I also had to speed up since I was merging into the 'fast lane' so I started to accelerate in order to avoid getting rear-ended. Well, the instant I exited and started merging to the right, the cop exited the carpool lane and had his siren/lights on. When I pulled over (ignoring his rudeness though I have an edetic memory and can quote the entire conversion verbatim) he said he's citing me for the double yellow lines and for speeding. I have no issue with the speeding. I'll pay the fine or whatever it is they want me to do. My issue is with the other citation. I have NEVER crossed a double yellow line in my life (one of those boring rule followers that everyone loves to hate). Does anyone have any advice on this situation? I should also mention that the Prius doesn't really accelerate very quickly and since he was going 65 and pulled out right after me, I really didn't have time to accelerate to more than 70 before he pulled me over.
I have GPS in my car and I can get a report from that on my longitude/latitude and I recorded the entire conversation on my cell phone (though he does not know that). I also got a snapshot of traffic conditions at a couple of traffic websites showing that traffic was moving at above 70 at that time (Google Maps/Sigalert/CHP/Traffic). This will only help with the speeding area. I need to know if there is anything I can do to fight the double yellow. I'm planning to go out and take pictures of that area of the freeway tomorrow but that won't help with the he said/she said.
I was just cited today so there is some time before I need to be in court. Thank you ahead of time for any/all advice.
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