My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: california
a police officer gave me a ticket for entering the bike lane for a right turn prior to 200 feet. the image above shows where i entered in the lane. i technically did enter the lane in prior to 200 feet. i asked the police officer where i was supposed to enter the lane and she said i have to cross the two white lanes where the bike lane is labeled. i was cited for CVC 21209A.
two issues:
1) since that bike lane is 230 feet, i could follow her directions and STILL violate the law (measured using satellite imagery)
2) i'm pretty sure that you're not supposed to cross two white lanes, there is usually a dashed line to indicate you are allowed to pass
in this case, there is no dashed line, just that single line before the bike lane starts. the law is supposed to prevent people from driving all the way from the back to the front using that lane which i wasnt doing. i only entered the lane once that turn shoulder opened up which seems like the logical and acceptable place to enter into the turn lane.
i have a court date set for next month. any advice on how i should present my case or if i even have a case? i cant take traffic school because i already used that option for something earlier. i can't really afford the insurance hike so this is really important for me. thank you very much in advance for your help!
-d






