Ticketed for No Turn Signal

[10andersona]

My question involves vehicle maintenance laws for the State of: Michigan

was ticketed for a defective turn signal, officer told me i didnt use on first turn, but 2nd turn it was "strobe lighting", because it works but doesnt blink, so i manualy turn it on and off. she gave me a ticket for no turn signal, and in comments said turn signal does not blink. then i asked her kindly how i go about getting this taken care of, and she said contact court and pay fine, isnt a defective equipment ticket a fix it ticket? like i have to get it fixed and send them proof its fixed? (copy of receipt that its been fixed?) and then fines and costs are to be waived? the waivable box was not checked but still this should be able to get this fixed and then the fines are dismissed.

[Mr. Knowitall]

A ticket for not using your turn signal is not the same as a ticket for defective equipment. You seem to be indicating that you were cited for not using your turn signal.

I cannot see the ticket for myself, so clarify - you were cited for what exact offense (MCL # ___ )?

[10andersona]

contacted court, was a ticket for not using turn signal, apparently i angered the officer when i refused to let her search my car, oh well, there goes $175.

[10andersona]

one thing i am still questioning, since my turn signal wasnt working correctly, would it be worth my while to try and fight this to maybe be dropped to a defective equipment ticket? because before i was given the ticket the officer had me use both turn signals to see if in fact they worked or not, and my right one just turned on and stayed on. but on ticket it also says blinker does not blink. also this happened on Friday evening and i live 3 hours from this town, got the signal fixed on Monday morning and have a receipt for it. i just don't have the money to pay this at the moment.

ticket says in the code spot "C .97c" C/I is checked in box. and to right says no turn signal, in remarks says "turn signal does not blink.

also noticed she wrote on here my car is a 95, its a 94, not sure if that means anything though.

A ticket for not using your turn signal is not the same as a ticket for defective equipment. You seem to be indicating that you were cited for not using your turn signal.

I cannot see the ticket for myself, so clarify - you were cited for what exact offense (MCL # ___ )?

[10andersona]

this is what i came to that this is for -

257.697 Signal lamps or devices; exemption.

Sec. 697.

(a) A motor vehicle may be equipped and when required under this chapter shall be equipped with the following signal lamps or devices:

(1) A stop lamp on the rear which shall emit a red or amber light and which shall be actuated upon application of the service or foot brake and which may but need not be incorporated with a tail lamp.

(2) A lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device which conveys an intelligible signal or warning to another driver approaching from the rear.

(b) A stop lamp shall be capable of being seen and distinguished from a distance of 100 feet to the rear both during normal sunlight and at nighttime and a signal lamp or lamps indicating intention to turn shall be capable of being seen and distinguished during daytime and nighttime from a distance of 100 feet both to the front and rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a stop lamp or other signal lamps, the lamp or lamps shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. A stop lamp or signal lamp shall not project a glaring or dazzling light.

(c) All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the times mentioned in section 684.

(d) A motor vehicle licensed as an historic vehicle is exempt from the requirements of this section if the vehicle as originally equipped failed to meet these requirements.


can someone please explain paragraph (C) to me in english? not this technical wording? i have also read section 684, and this all regards in my understanding, to head lamps, nothing in here states turn signals in paragraph c or section 684, nothing about turn signals, just headlamps.

[flyingron]

(c) All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the times mentioned in section 684.

Was that violation code written by hand? I suspect C97c is really 697(c) which is the above line from the statute you were charged with.
I believe in Michigan if you show to the police that the defect has been corrected within 20 days and then forward that information to the court, the fine will be waived.

[10andersona]

i also thought this, court says i have to pay fine, thsi happened on a friday night while visiting friends at ferris state (3 hours from my hometown) got home saturday, had it fixed by my work on monday. but theyre still saying its not a fix it ticket. yes it was written by hand, and took a lot of work to even find out its a 257.697(c) officer still has yet to call me back, i called monday morning and she has worked all 3 days since i left her a message. still no call back.

(c) All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the times mentioned in section 684.

Was that violation code written by hand? I suspect C97c is really 697(c) which is the above line from the statute you were charged with.
I believe in Michigan if you show to the police that the defect has been corrected within 20 days and then forward that information to the court, the fine will be waived.

this doesnt say anything about turn signals though

[flyingron]

Good point. I missed the word mechanical. That's largely an obsolete section. There used to be cars that had little flip down arm on each side to signal the turn. Those weren't ever real popular in the US and certainly have gone the way of the dinosaur.

[10andersona]

so what would you say i should do about this? cus i have a receipt proving i got it fixed, and it works perfectly fine now, if i remember correctly, i did tell the officer i knew it didnt work correctly, but still it works when i make it work correctly. so is it worth my time to mayeb try and fight this?