I just got a $124 ticket for passing a few cars in the center lane to turn left. I needed to turn left, so I got into the center turning lane and passed a few cars on the adjacent lane that were stuck at a redlight. A cop pulled me over and fined me $124. I feel this is too harsh. Even if I did pass a few stopped cars in the next lane, it's a very minor thing. Too harsh, I tell ya! Should I fight it or just pay for it?

 

Is that illegal, or am I misunderstanding what you are saying?

 

I didn't think that was illegal... using the turning lane to turn? I'd fight it.

 

It's illegal. Pay your ticket.

 

^^^

Harsh.

 

I think what happened is he went into the center lane before it turned into the left turn lane.

 

Actually, it's a center lane for turning into businesses and such. I might've passed 5-10 cars that were stuck in the adjacent lane but I was turning into a KFC though, not using the lane to keep going straight. He said I passed too many cars using that lane. I NEEDED TO TURN! Sheesh! That cop was too anal-retentive. I'm sure ALL of you have done this as well because it's such a common thing, and I didn't even think it was unlawful. Had I intended to use the lane to keep going straight, then yes, I'd understand. But I didn't.

I hate going to court to contest it, should I do it via mail? Statistically speaking, only 1 out of 10 would win via mail, so chances are very small.

 

$124 out the window and a traffic infraction on the record. All for such a minor, minor misdemeanor. At least a warning would've been in order.

 

[quote name='Yellow_S' date='Jan 28 2009, 11:30 PM'] Actually, it's a center lane for turning into businesses and such.

 

The decision is not yours or his to make.

Bad luck, but bottom line is that he was impatient and did not wait till he was forward enough to actually be in the turn lane.