My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: California CVC 21651. I was sited by CHP for riding my motorcycle to the right of the white line in the HOV or diamond lane. Since this is a daily activity of hundreds of other riders, including CHP, LAPD and other agencies on their way home, I assumed it was legal or part of California law regarding white-lining. I read the CVC section and while I can't measure the distance, it does appear to be close to two feet in width. Do I have a leg to stand on?
CVC 21651 Ticket
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04-16-2009, 11:11 AMRonPaschallCVC 21651 Ticket
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04-16-2009, 11:10 PMThat GuyRe: CVC 21651 Ticket
Interesting!!!!!
Where you cited for 21651(a) or 21651(b)? -
04-17-2009, 11:15 AMThat GuyRe: CVC 21651 TicketDisregard my previous post. it is obviously a 21651(a).Quote:
Quoting That Guy
I can offer you this much. Up until you started this thread, I had been under the same impression as you. And i can offer you that I too have seen riders including officers and CHiPers alike in that lane.
Unfortunately, and according to what I've been able to find, that area is considered a part of what is referred to as the BUFFER ZONE between the HOV Lane and the Mixed Flow Lane.
You can see an illustration of this Buffer Zone in a CalTrans Document entitled "The HOV Guidelines for Planning Design and Operation (here's a link: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/sy...0Guideline.pdf ).
On page 55of123 (which is numbered as page CH5<>12-Detail in the document itself) you can see that only one of the 4 possible illustrations (the one on the top left) matches the one I think you are describing. You will also be able to see that it is labeled as a Buffer Zone as well.
Lastly, and to address what you mentioned regarding the "two feet width", if you refer to CVC section 21651(a) which states:21651(a) Whenever a highway has been divided into two or more roadways by means of intermittent barriers or by means of a dividing section of not less than two feet in width, either unpaved or delineated by curbs, double-parallel lines, or other markings on the roadway, it is unlawful to do either of the following:... You can clearly see that the area (particularly in the top left illustration) is clearly 0.9 meters which equals 2.95 feet... That is obviously "not less than two feet wide".(1) To drive any vehicle over, upon, or across the dividing section.
(2) To make any left, semicircular, or U-turn with the vehicle on the divided highway, except through an opening in the barrier designated and intended by public authorities for the use of vehicles or through a plainly marked opening in the dividing section.
Considering the fact that I too ride sometimes, I think it is unfortunate that they are enforcing that now because if forces a motorcycle rider into the Mixed Flow Lanes where I would have to be "Lane Splitting" which I think is much more dangerous considering all the idiots out there. :mad: