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Got a Ticket for Improper Lane Changing - What to Do

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  • 03-21-2009, 05:36 PM
    trafficsri
    Got a Ticket for Improper Lane Changing - What to Do
    My question involves traffic court in the State of: Virginia, Faiirfax County, Herndon Town, Elden St

    It was a bad day for me. I was thinking something else while driving and realized I was in the wrong lane(it was left only) and at an intersection. No one was behind me in that left only lane, but there are cars on the right lane which can go straight or turn right. I put on my indicator intending to turn right, and at the first oppurtunity I turned right. Right then cop was infront of me on the opposite side and sounded siren to stop. I did and he gave me a ticket for "Improper Lane Changing" Law Section 42-3 (46.2-804.2). This is my first ever ticket in my 4 plus year driving experience in US. I never got a ticket earlier, nor met with any kind of traffic issues.

    I am totally new to this, I would appreciate any kind of advice as what should I do. Should I prepay the fine or what is the best I could do to avoid points. Please ask me additional info if needed for appropriate advice.

    Thanks for looking at my issue. I had a pretty bad day personally and then this.
  • 03-21-2009, 05:58 PM
    blewis
    Re: Got a Ticket for Improper Lange Changing. What to Do
    I don't know what Law Section 42-2 means (perhaps a local ordinance), but § 46.2.804.2 states:
    Quote:

    Quoting § 46.2.804
    2. A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as is practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from that lane until the driver has ascertained that such movement can be made safely;

    So, as far as I can tell, as long as you waited until the "movement can be made safely", you didn't do anything wrong. Now, if you cut someone off, or in any way interfered with someone in the right lane, then that's a different story. The mere act of changing out of a "left turn only" lane does not, in my opinion, violate this particular statute. There may be another law which prohibits such action, but this one doesn't seem to address that situation.

    Perhaps Lwpat or Mr. Knowitall can help shed some light on this. They are both much more familiar with VA law than I am (I lived there 20 years ago -- in Reston actually -- but things have probably changed a lot).

    Barry
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