My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: CA
It was 2:30am in the morning on Thursday 27th, December. I helped my friend with his project and drove back to home on 101 from Mountain View to San Jose.
Police stopped me at Alum Rock exit. He asked me a few questions then I understood he was trying to figure out if I am drunk even he didn't directly ask about it. I told him I didn't. He asked me if I had any early in the day. I told him at dinner I had a beer. He tried to confirm with me no more drinks after that and then took my driver license. He then came back with a ticket "unsafe lane change".
I asked him what was my problem, he explained:
- He saw my car swing. But he didn't ticket that. He ticketed me on changing lanes from a solid line at Oakland exit and the car behind me had to make a break.
I asked him if this is the kind of ticket would increase my insurance, he said very honestly "I don't know."
I was very surprised:
- First of all, I had no idea what he was talking about. I didn't know I changed lane. I was driving on the same lane all the way from Mtn View -- The exit he mentioned is 2.1 miles away from where he stopped me. (I measured it on google map) and if I kept on right lane from mtn view, I don't have to change lane.
- Secondly, that was Thursday morning at 2:30am. I didn't even notice more than 3 cars in half mile and how could I infect another?
- I agree I was driving my friend's car, a little bit of sleepy+tired at the moment, and right before the stopped me, my tire was on the xx (the reflection little thing), but my mind was digital clear. The beer I had was at home before I left for my friend.
I was in very bad luck for the year -- I had 10+ years clean record. First ticket early this year was a 75mph at 65mph highway close to las vegas. I have to go to court since I just took the traffic school at then. If anybody can help me find a clue of defense, I really appreciate it. Here are my questions:
- Should I tell the judge the truth -- I didn't change lanes and I thought the police made it up? I don't think that's a good idea but I really didn't know what happened. I also don't understand why they had to follow me for 2 miles to stop me (Maybe that was the only exit may cause a lane change? I really doubt they stopped me because they thought I was drunk but I wasn't at all. So they came up with something else? )
- Or should I defend like it happened, and say it was very dark, they cannot see the actually distance between my car and the other car?
Something has changed. 7 years ago, I once got stopped by police for turning on a no-right-turn (marked only on the ground kind) sign when I came out of a plaza at night. They checked my id and found I didn't live in the area and told me to watch close and just let me go.
My (landlord's) house was burglarized couple days before Christmas. They broke in from the front door of a corner house and broke every door/doorframe in the house. When I got back home, everything on the floor. They must have spent 2 hours in the house. Police came in after 140minutes, and she said the burglary department has been cancelled and she didn't work on this area. The only thing they can do it to report loss. She also left a list of security suggestions, which include alarm services.
Any reply would help. Thanks a lot!

