I'm looking for any advice or suggestions on whether or not I should bother to fight this ticket (or even try get it reduced to just a monetary fine).
Here are the specifics:
12:11 A.M. today (Sept. 17th) I'm walking out to the parking lot on the southwest corner of 6th and Main in downtown Royal Oak (new lot just south of Blackfinn) and I notice a cop car sitting in the lot with his headlights shining on my car. I was parked at the far south end of the lot away from everyone because some asshole had just door dinged my foxbody that I decided to take to work today because the weather was nice.
I proceed to get in my car and go out the exit to the north onto 6th and of course the cop follows me. As I'm pulling out of the lot, I notice a sign that I thought said, "No Left Turn". But apparently it says, "Left Turn Only". Unfortunately, I turned right to head home and then he follows me all the way up Main Street and then pulls me over once I get on 11 mile to go east.
Anyway, he asks me the usual questions....etc, etc. and gives me a ticket for making a "Prohibited Turn". I then ask him why no right turn is allowed there and he says, "I believe it's because the city doesn't want traffic to stack up at Main Street and block the train tracks". Which I have to admit, I do understand the concept and can't argue with the logic. However, there was clearly NO ONE on the road at that time and he could've just given me a warning.
This ticket from last night is apparently a $125 fine and 2 points. The money isn't a big issue for me, the points are something I'd like to avoid. If I can get it reduced to Impeding Traffic it's no points and $160 fine...which I'd gladly pay. My fear is that when I go to store the car at the end of October my insurance will change the coverage as they do every fall and spring and will find the ticket and then jack my rates up.
Bear in mind, my last ticket was in 1998 for speeding on 696 and it was written up for going 5mph over and cost me $75 and no points. Other than that, I have no tickets.
So my question is: do I have any argument at all? I think probably not.
I appreciate any input or suggestions.
-Rick
Here are the specifics:
12:11 A.M. today (Sept. 17th) I'm walking out to the parking lot on the southwest corner of 6th and Main in downtown Royal Oak (new lot just south of Blackfinn) and I notice a cop car sitting in the lot with his headlights shining on my car. I was parked at the far south end of the lot away from everyone because some asshole had just door dinged my foxbody that I decided to take to work today because the weather was nice.
I proceed to get in my car and go out the exit to the north onto 6th and of course the cop follows me. As I'm pulling out of the lot, I notice a sign that I thought said, "No Left Turn". But apparently it says, "Left Turn Only". Unfortunately, I turned right to head home and then he follows me all the way up Main Street and then pulls me over once I get on 11 mile to go east.
Anyway, he asks me the usual questions....etc, etc. and gives me a ticket for making a "Prohibited Turn". I then ask him why no right turn is allowed there and he says, "I believe it's because the city doesn't want traffic to stack up at Main Street and block the train tracks". Which I have to admit, I do understand the concept and can't argue with the logic. However, there was clearly NO ONE on the road at that time and he could've just given me a warning.
This ticket from last night is apparently a $125 fine and 2 points. The money isn't a big issue for me, the points are something I'd like to avoid. If I can get it reduced to Impeding Traffic it's no points and $160 fine...which I'd gladly pay. My fear is that when I go to store the car at the end of October my insurance will change the coverage as they do every fall and spring and will find the ticket and then jack my rates up.
Bear in mind, my last ticket was in 1998 for speeding on 696 and it was written up for going 5mph over and cost me $75 and no points. Other than that, I have no tickets.
So my question is: do I have any argument at all? I think probably not.
I appreciate any input or suggestions.
-Rick
Last edited:
unchball
