What is the name of your state? Indiana
Was driving a rental truck and trailor with my car on the trailor from Massachusetts to California. In Indiana I was pulled over for Section 9-21-8-35(b), failure to yield for two cruisers thad pulled over another vehicle. Background of the situation: I was in the right lane (I want to point out that this is a law that doen't exist in MA or CA apparently) and didn't change lanes upon approaching and passing the stopped vehicles. It was roughly 10 pm, speed limit is 70, I was driving only 60 (probably 50-55 when I pased), with off and on snow squalls and high wind gusts. I didn't much changes lanes the entire 3 day drive unless absolutely necessary and LOTS of clearance to do it.
Statute reads:
(b) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle,
when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by
displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue
lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:
(1) proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by
making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the
authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to
safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least
four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the
same direction as the approaching vehicle; or
(2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the
vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if
changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
It would seem to me that someone in my situation under those weather conditions and driving that type of vehicle would be justified in not changing lanes and just applying a slight reduction in speed. Other factors, trooper didn't pay close attention to my Mass license, using the old address from the front and not the then current address on the rear, although he seemed royally ticked like I kicked his dog or something. Based on the facts as I've described and the trooper's apparent lack of attention to detail, is this a $140 ticket worth flying back to Indiana and fighting? If I simply pay it, will it show up in CA or MA (I now live in CA)? I feel I should fight it on principle as it seems to me to be a bad ticket, but other opinions are welcome.
Was driving a rental truck and trailor with my car on the trailor from Massachusetts to California. In Indiana I was pulled over for Section 9-21-8-35(b), failure to yield for two cruisers thad pulled over another vehicle. Background of the situation: I was in the right lane (I want to point out that this is a law that doen't exist in MA or CA apparently) and didn't change lanes upon approaching and passing the stopped vehicles. It was roughly 10 pm, speed limit is 70, I was driving only 60 (probably 50-55 when I pased), with off and on snow squalls and high wind gusts. I didn't much changes lanes the entire 3 day drive unless absolutely necessary and LOTS of clearance to do it.
Statute reads:
(b) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle,
when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by
displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue
lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:
(1) proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by
making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the
authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to
safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least
four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the
same direction as the approaching vehicle; or
(2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the
vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if
changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
It would seem to me that someone in my situation under those weather conditions and driving that type of vehicle would be justified in not changing lanes and just applying a slight reduction in speed. Other factors, trooper didn't pay close attention to my Mass license, using the old address from the front and not the then current address on the rear, although he seemed royally ticked like I kicked his dog or something. Based on the facts as I've described and the trooper's apparent lack of attention to detail, is this a $140 ticket worth flying back to Indiana and fighting? If I simply pay it, will it show up in CA or MA (I now live in CA)? I feel I should fight it on principle as it seems to me to be a bad ticket, but other opinions are welcome.
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