My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Washington
I think I have a strange case in the way I received my ticket, but I’m not sure if I have grounds for legal action.
Yesterday, just after entering I-5 Southbound between Federal Way and Tacoma (between King County and Pierce County) I merged into the leftmost lane of the highway to make room for the upcoming inward traffic. There were no cars in my immediate vicinity. After I merged, I started driving 70 MPH (The average traffic speed there is usually 65 MPH I admit I was speeding) and noticed I was closing in on a car, so I eased off the gas.
Just then, a police car sped up behind me without its lights on and began to follow me uncomfortably close. Afraid I might get hit and unable to merge into another lane; I maintained my speed and eventually was caught between the car in front of me and the police car following close behind. The car in front of me was able to make room. The police car was so close I was afraid that if I were to brake or even slow down I would get hit. I was in this situation for about 60 seconds until the car in front of me merged into the right lane and the police car was still uncomfortably close. In order to make some room, I sped up slightly but the police car kept following. Still afraid of the police car behind me, I speed up again until the point where my speedometer was about 80 MPH (at this point we were going down a hill) and that’s when I the police car turned on its lights and signaled me to pull over.
The officer claimed that I was following the car in front of me too close and noted the time I was speeding when it merged to the right. I tried to explain that he was pressuring me and I was afraid, but he would not listen. He stated that I was not looking in my rearview mirror, when in fact I was multiple times due to my fear. (He was wearing sunglasses when he spoke to me and my car is slightly tinted, but I bet the police car’s onboard camera would verify my claim.) He then called me a “moron” after he asked for my license and registration.
As a result, I was given a $299.00 ticket.
Violation Code – 46.61.400 – Speeding 20 MPH over limit (Over 40) - $175.00
Violation Code – 46.61.145 – Following too close - $124.00
There was probably some misjudgment and I know that there is no way I can completely clear this ticket, but I feel I was treated unfairly and I hope to possibly have my ticket reduced and/or my “following too close” fine removed.” I am under 21 (college commuter) and I have received a ticket before for using an HOV exit with no passengers. As of right now, I don’t know how my insurance will be affected, but I believe I haven’t used my deferral. I plan to call them very soon.I will edit this post with more information right when I get it. If I were to have a Mitigation Hearing, it would be held in King County at the Kent Courthouse. I do believe that the onboard camera would explain most things.
Do I have a solid case to have my fine reduced and if I do, would only having a written explanation negatively affect me? I don’t think I could miss a day of class/work. Also, if I were to have the Mitigation Hearing, is there anything I have to do to insure that I can use the onboard camera as evidence.
Thanks for taking the time to read all this, and Thank You for any advice you can give.

