Jordan S
New Member
- Jurisdiction
- Michigan
I recently moved into a new home in a new city. I was unfamiliar with some of the roads and I needed to get gas, so I was going northbound on a one way 2-lane road. As I was approaching an intersection with mild traffic, I got into the right lane with the intention of going straight through, since the gas station was eventually on the right side. I did this, and a police officer pulled me over because of signage indicating that the lane I was in was a "Right Lane must turn Right" lane.
I explained to him I was new to the area and missed the signage, and because of the circumstances he just gave an infraction (with no points and not going to show on my record) for $150. This is the first time I've ever received a ticket.
However, the intersection was rather confusing to me, because I believed that there was a dotted white line to separate the lanes, before and after the intersection. The reason why I went through is that I am used to 3 things in a right lane must turn right, a solid white line dividing the lane, an arrow on the pavement in paint indicating the turn, and multiple signage for the lane change. There were only signs. I went on google street view to see if there was a solid line, and there was. A couple of days later, I was driving the same direction and found out that they recently redid the road, and there was in fact dashed white lines.
I went to the court with the intention of challenging the citation, and the receptionist at the desk was confused as to why I was challenging it. She informed me that the citation the police gave me is typically what people want to achieve in minimizing their consequences. I thought there was a "no contest" option, where I could admit guilt but have the fine taken away or reduced if I won. Turns out there is no such option, and it appears as if I just set a court date for a for sure failure because I am guilty of the violation.
Is there a law where there has to be a solid white line in a "right lane must turn right" lane? Do I have a case in challenging this citation? Am I wasting my time and should just pay the fine?
I explained to him I was new to the area and missed the signage, and because of the circumstances he just gave an infraction (with no points and not going to show on my record) for $150. This is the first time I've ever received a ticket.
However, the intersection was rather confusing to me, because I believed that there was a dotted white line to separate the lanes, before and after the intersection. The reason why I went through is that I am used to 3 things in a right lane must turn right, a solid white line dividing the lane, an arrow on the pavement in paint indicating the turn, and multiple signage for the lane change. There were only signs. I went on google street view to see if there was a solid line, and there was. A couple of days later, I was driving the same direction and found out that they recently redid the road, and there was in fact dashed white lines.
I went to the court with the intention of challenging the citation, and the receptionist at the desk was confused as to why I was challenging it. She informed me that the citation the police gave me is typically what people want to achieve in minimizing their consequences. I thought there was a "no contest" option, where I could admit guilt but have the fine taken away or reduced if I won. Turns out there is no such option, and it appears as if I just set a court date for a for sure failure because I am guilty of the violation.
Is there a law where there has to be a solid white line in a "right lane must turn right" lane? Do I have a case in challenging this citation? Am I wasting my time and should just pay the fine?