Ticket for Not Coming to a 'Full Stop' at a Flashing Red Light

[Cheerie]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Michigan.

I'm 21, and I've been driving for a good 4 years. I have never been pulled over by the cops, nor have I ever received a single ticket before -that is, until now.

On my way to work one early morning, I came across a flashing red traffic light in the center lane to make a left turn. The lights for the other lanes parallel to me were green. I was the ONLY car on the road. No incoming cars, no cars waiting for me to pass. Just me on the road. I slowed down enough, without making a complete stop, to double check left and right before making my turn. After making the turn and making it about a quarter of a mile past that point, I suddenly see a cop behind me and it's siren going off. By then, I was only going a mere 20mph in a 40 zone. I readily gave the guy my license, and the car's registration and proof of insurance. Unfortunately, although the car is insured, the proof of insurance I had on me was an expired one. So he issued me a ticket for "disobeying a traffic device" and "no proof of insurance."

My questions are, for not having the correct proof of insurance on me at the time, will I still have to pay a fee despite the fact that the car was indeed insured at the time? And seeing as this is my very first traffic violation ever, will the judge cut me some slack on the fees, or even waive them? I have to appear in court in a few days.

Another thing, I am not included on the car's insurance. Will this affect my fees?

[Mr. Knowitall]

I can't see the "proof of insurance" ticket from here to tell you what it says, but I suspect that if you submit proof of insurance at the time of the citation to the court you can get it dismissed.

What do you mean by "I am not included on the car's insurance" - does that mean somebody else owns the car, or does it say right there on the certificate, "Cheerie is an excluded driver under this policy." If you were driving a vehicle knowing that you were an excluded driver and thus uninsured, you were uninsured.

[adam_]

Another thing, I am not included on the car's insurance.

If the car is insured- by say your parents- and you live there but you are not, as required by your insurance company, listed as an occupant of the home- I would NOT mention it.

There may be some shades of gray here, depending on how the issue comes up.

Typically (and I cannot speak for Michigan) if the owner has insurance then anyone they let use the car is covered. (unless as KIA states you are specifically listed as 'not covered'.) They will likely be OK with an updated insurance card. Don't say "I'm insured" if there is a chance you might not be. Just say "here is the card", 'the car is insured", etc.

Unless the cop was behind you when you rolled the flashing red, he didn't SEE you violate the red, he is assuming it....