Impeding traffic

cissycicle · #1 02-08-2007, 02:58 PM

I received a ticket in michigan for Impeding Traffic. What is that? I turned right on red, which is probited. Is that Impeding Traffic?

Happy Trails · #2 02-08-2007, 03:15 PM

Michigan statutes state:

Quote:

MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 300 of 1949

257.676b Interference with normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic prohibited; exception; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 676b.

(1) A person, without authority, shall not block, obstruct, impede, or otherwise interfere with the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic upon a public street or highway in this state, by means of a barricade, object, or device, or with his or her person. This section shall not apply to persons maintaining, rearranging, or constructing public utility facilities in or adjacent to a street or highway.

(2) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

blewis · #3 02-09-2007, 08:56 AM

Sounds like you may have pulled into the crosswalk and forced pedestrians to walk around your car. Maybe?

Barry

cissycicle · #4 02-09-2007, 09:21 AM

Quoting blewis

Sounds like you may have pulled into the crosswalk and forced pedestrians to walk around your car. Maybe?

Barry

I didn't impede traffic. I made an illegal right turn on red when the traffic cleared. The officer explained that he "gave me a break" by not issuing a ticket (2 pts + fine) for the actual offense. Guess he also "gave me a break" by not asking for my registration or proof of insurance, orrrrr, perhaps he was not following the proper procedure?

I believe the fine for "impeding traffic" is a bit more than the fine for the illegal turn, but with no points.

Happy Trails · #5 02-09-2007, 09:40 AM

It looks like the fine is the same, at least at this site.

Litigator · #6 02-09-2007, 09:49 AM

It may be that he just charged you with the wrong thing--the charge could be dismissed and refiled or perhaps amended with leave of court.

cissycicle · #7 02-09-2007, 10:09 AM

Quoting Happy Trails

It looks like the fine is the same, at least at this site.

According to the ticket, the fine for impeding traffic is $150 with no points. The fine for turning right on red is $110 with two points. The notation "Sunoco, No Turn On Red" appears on the ticket. As to the "impeding traffic", there was none to impede. It was jus lil ol me and the traffic guy.

Happy Trails · #8 02-09-2007, 10:29 AM

Hmmm... I have no clue what "Sunoco" means. Street name???

Quoting cissycicle

As to the "impeding traffic", there was none to impede. It was jus lil ol me and the traffic guy.

So he states he cut you a break by charging you with something you did not do. However, the fine is $40 higher, but no points. Would your insurance premium increase?

Questions for the others responding:

If she fought this ticket wouldn't the officer have to prove she was guilty of that?

Does he have a right to give her a citation on a violation she did not commit?

I know some officers use discretion when issuing speeding tickets and such, but not change it to a totally different offense. Pehaps some do, but if a person chose to fight it, how would that appear in court that the officer did this?

Edit: I just seen where Litigator touched on this.

cissycicle · #9 02-09-2007, 10:54 AM

Quoting Happy Trails

Hmmm... I have no clue what "Sunoco" means. Street name???

So he states he cut you a break by charging you with something you did not do. However, the fine is $40 higher, but no points. Would your insurance premium increase?

Questions for the others responding:

If she fought this ticket wouldn't the officer have to prove she was guilty of that?

Does he have a right to give her a citation on a violation she did not commit?

I know some officers use discretion when issuing speeding tickets and such, but not change it to a totally different offense. Pehaps some do, but if a person chose to fight it, how would that appear in court that the officer did this?

Edit: I just seen where Litigator touched on this.

Sunoco is the gas station on one corner of the intersection. As to the insurance, it is over $400 per month and I think I will be canceled if one more violation shows up.

Happy Trails · #10 02-09-2007, 11:29 AM

Quoting cissycicle

Sunoco is the gas station on one corner of the intersection.

That was my second guess....

Quoting cissycicle

As to the insurance, it is over $400 per month and I think I will be canceled if one more violation shows up.

Ouch!

Then I would think the infraction would be the better way to go or fight it.

However, I can't be sure how your specific insurance carrier will view an infraction. Most go by the point system, but they all have their own policy on that issue.

You can try and research your specific carrier by going to this site and following the links from there: http://www.carinsurance.com/kb/content10044.aspx

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I know my daughter received a couple of speeding tickets and our insurance company did not catch them at all. It wasn't until we changed carriers and everybodys license was run and they showed up. (We should have stayed with the other carrier.)