No Passing Zone Ticket

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c3po

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I got a ticket today for $90.00 because I passed a car in a no passing zone obviously because I was in an are that had double lines.

I was driving along and a big SUV pulls out in front of me and if I had breaked I probably would have hit the car so I went around it, turns out I went around an unmarked cop.

Do I take this to court and plead my case, do I send in the ticket with a Guilty by explanation statement and then the cop will not be there.

I obviously broke the law but I just did not want to smash my car into a big SUV.
 
You have a duty to avoid an accident. I would go to court; you usually get a chance to plea with the DA or a cop ahead of trial.

This sort of thing happened to me, I was pulling into a right lane of travel when everyone was in the high speed lane. At the same time a cop who was planning to turn right pulled into the right lane immediately behind me then tried to blame me for pulling out. I told him I saw noone in the right lane and he let me go.

Just tell whomever that the SUV was practically standing still and you understand cops have lots on their minds, the guy was probably busy with something and you followed your reflexes first and the law second.
 
Is it actually against the law in your state? Here atleast, anything in yellow lines on the road is "suggested" so passing on a double yellow isn't a problem in itself but it could be interpreted as "unsafe".
 
Always fight tickets. I have had several instances where the officer was a no show. Also this will give you a chance to explain your reasoning to the judge. Lets say worst case scenario, you are found guilty, maybe the judge will reduce your fine or have you attend traffic school. Admitting guilt after the fact is never a good policy.
 
Quote:
I was driving along and a big SUV pulls out in front of me and if I had braked I probably would have hit the car so I went around it, turns out I went around an unmarked cop.

I don't get it - was the unmarked police car ahead of you? If it was, and he didn't swerve around the SUV, the obvious question is 'why did you?'.
54.gif


In any event, definitely go to court, tell your version, and see what happens....
 
When the officer handed me the ticket she said that I could pay it, and then she said ummm are you going to take this to court, she did not have alot of confidence when she was asking me if I would take it to court.

This was an unmarked type of car, I am wondering if this was a special type of county officer or a state cop, she sounded like she does not want to go to court.

There was a sticker on the front windshield that said Maryland Police, I was in Howard County Maryland and usually a cop car will say Howard County Police, when she pulled me over she was on her CB for a few minutes, also this has never happened before, she wanted my phone number, I thought that was strange.
 
Originally Posted By: RWEST
Quote:
I was driving along and a big SUV pulls out in front of me and if I had braked I probably would have hit the car so I went around it, turns out I went around an unmarked cop.

I don't get it - was the unmarked police car ahead of you? If it was, and he didn't swerve around the SUV, the obvious question is 'why did you?'.
54.gif


In any event, definitely go to court, tell your version, and see what happens....


The unmarked police car which was an SUV was the one that pulled out in front of me.

So lets call it an unmarked SUV cop car, if I can avoid an accident I do not care what kind of car it is.
 
You don't have much to lose going to court except time and energy. Dress nice and calmy explain situation.
 
c3po- Find out which office she reports to and contact her supervisor. Explain her reckless driving and the ticket she issued. If you don't get anywhere with the supervisor voiding the ticket, in person, go into the office and file a written complaint against the officer's driving. Then go to Court with your copy of the complaint and explain the situation to the judge. If you have a clean record, you should walk away clean.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: c3po
Originally Posted By: RWEST
Quote:
I was driving along and a big SUV pulls out in front of me and if I had braked I probably would have hit the car so I went around it, turns out I went around an unmarked cop.

I don't get it - was the unmarked police car ahead of you? If it was, and he didn't swerve around the SUV, the obvious question is 'why did you?'.
54.gif


In any event, definitely go to court, tell your version, and see what happens....


The unmarked police car which was an SUV was the one that pulled out in front of me.

So lets call it an unmarked SUV cop car, if I can avoid an accident I do not care what kind of car it is.


Holy mackerel!! If a cop pulled out in front of ME, and I got a ticket for swerving around him to avoid an accident, I'd be begging for a court date to complain!!!
 
I will deffinetly fight this, of course the cop could just say to the judge that I passed her, all I can do is give my side of the story.
 
Eh, fight it.

As for it being unmarked, nothing special about it. It is eassier to catch you breaking the traffic laws using unmarked vehicles. (Seen quite a few in my area.)

As for them showing up in court, it depends on the jurisdiction. In Philadelphia traffic court, the one who gave you the ticket doesn't have to be there as there is one stationed there who acts as a representitive. At least the last time I got a ticket.

That was funny too. Cop claimed I had four headlights out. Didn't know the difference between low beam, high beam, and driving lights..........


Just read the above post. Just tell your side. Be respectful in court. Worst case, you'll lose. Then appeal it. My personal record is 6 tickets in one stop. Three got tossed, three more on appeal.
 
Last edited:
Maybe the OP needs to check his brakes to make sure that they are capable of stopping the car, or keep distance.
 
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
Maybe the OP needs to check his brakes to make sure that they are capable of stopping the car, or keep distance.


What the heck are you talking about??? Did you even read his first post?

How do you "keep distance" when someone pulls right out in front of you???
 
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
Maybe the OP needs to check his brakes to make sure that they are capable of stopping the car, or keep distance.


And maybe someday cars will actually stop on a dime so you never have to worry about someone pulling out right in front of you........ As happenned to the OP.
 
Originally Posted By: c3po

I was driving along and a big SUV pulls out in front of me and if I had breaked I probably would have hit the car so I went around it, turns out I went around an unmarked cop.



Most cop cars, unmarked or not, have a video recorder. Make sure you have the police officer play it in court. If your side of the events in true, your ticket will be dropped because the police officer won't want the tape shown in court.
 
Originally Posted By: c3po
also this has never happened before, she wanted my phone number, I thought that was strange.


Was she hot?
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Kruse
Originally Posted By: c3po

I was driving along and a big SUV pulls out in front of me and if I had breaked I probably would have hit the car so I went around it, turns out I went around an unmarked cop.



Most cop cars, unmarked or not, have a video recorder. Make sure you have the police officer play it in court. If your side of the events in true, your ticket will be dropped because the police officer won't want the tape shown in court.


The video recorder would probably be in the front and not the back, so if it was on it would just show me going around the car.

Why would she be asking me if I was going to take this to court, I have never had an officer ask me that.
 
Originally Posted By: PRND3L
Originally Posted By: c3po
also this has never happened before, she wanted my phone number, I thought that was strange.


Was she hot?
wink.gif



NO. What was the purpose for getting my phone number, no COP has ever done that before.
 
Originally Posted By: c3po

The video recorder would probably be in the front and not the back, so if it was on it would just show me going around the car.

Why would she be asking me if I was going to take this to court, I have never had an officer ask me that.


If the camera shows her turning and you immediately going around her, it will show the judge that you were avoiding the vehicle by passing her. Are you being totally truthful here?
As far as asking you about the court appearance, she is just rescheduling her donut buffet. (Sorry, I couldn't resist another old cliche)
 
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