Improper lane usage ticket WTF

[93 saturn sl2]

Usually I would but I didn't do anything wrong this time so I'm pleding not guilty. I'm going to explain what happened and ask what law I broke when I did it.

 

[Uncle B]

Get a copy of the ticket with the officers notes on it before you go to court so you're not shocked when they get read to the judge.

Sent from my HTC Liberty using Tapatalk

 

[93 saturn sl2]

Is there something other than the copy I have? There are no remarks on my ticket.

 

[jordanbmx]

i got one of those when i was 16 along with a slick tire ticket and a violation of graduated license ticket. I lost my license

 

[FlyLike]

What you did was indeed a traffic violation. Whether you decide to deny or admit guilt; go about it politely, professionally, and leave any attitude at home. Say you're sorry and that you learned a lesson regardless if you think it's your fault or not. You'll still have to pay a fine and have something on your record, but you should be able to have it changed to a non-point ticket.

 

[93 saturn sl2]

For sure I will be polite while im up there.

What did I do that was illegal?

 

[93 saturn sl2]

That study about late merging.

http://blog.videosift.com/lucky760/Merging-Late-Speeds-Traffic

 

[93 saturn sl2]

MCL 257.649. Specifically number 7.

257.649 Right-of-way; rules; violation as civil infraction.
Sec. 649. (1) The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right of way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.
(2) When 2 vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right.
(3) The right of way rules declared in subsections (1) and (2) are modified at through highways and otherwise as stated in this chapter.
(4) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign, in obedience to the sign, shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and shall yield the right of way to a vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver would be moving across or within the intersection. However, if required for safety to stop, the driver shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if there is not a crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line; but if there is not a crosswalk or a clearly marked stop line, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.
(5) The driver of a vehicle traveling at an unlawful speed shall forfeit a right of way which the driver might otherwise have under this section.
(6) Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, the driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is not a crosswalk shall stop at a clearly marked stop line; or if there is not a crosswalk or a clearly marked stop line, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right of way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on the highway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when the driver would be moving across or within the intersection.
(7) When a vehicle approaches the intersection of a highway from an intersecting highway or street which is intended to be, and is constructed as, a merging highway or street, and is plainly marked at the intersection with appropriate merge signs, the vehicle shall yield right of way to a vehicle so close as to constitute an immediate hazard on the highway about to be entered and shall adjust its speed so as to enable it to merge safely with the through traffic.
(8) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

I merged when I was able to.

http://hartland.patch.com/articles/who-has-the-right-of-way-when-merging-in-construction-traffic-michigan-state-law-explains

Im going to print these and bring them in. Especially this website. The construction people were not MDOT, They looked like a company contracted to fill the potholes between two of the lanes.

When the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) work crews set up a work area and a traffic lane will be closed, they force traffic to merge. MDOT will try to have an extended merging lane in the construction area. This allows drivers to merge their vehicles early and safely. It is always better to merge earlier rather than later

For example, when two traffic lanes merge to one lane in a road construction area,
typically there will be orange barrels and signs marking the merge lane. Drivers in the merging lane should be merging as soon as they can safely do so to the through traffic lane.

Some drivers will travel to the end of the merge lane and then attempt to enter the
through traffic lane. Remember, MCL 257.649 (7) clearly states the driver of the merging vehicle shall yield right-of-way. That means the merging vehicle driver could be at the end of the merge lane and still not be able to merge and will have to stop. The drivers in the through lane have no obligation to allow a merging vehicle into their lane of travel.

Merge lanes are created just for the specific task of merging traffic from one lane to
another. Merge lanes are not travel lanes and when a driver is entering a construction area and will be required to merge, it is always better to merge early and to stay in the through traffic lane. Drivers may even find it less stressful.

 

[robvas]

All those other points you have, you weren't guilty for any of those either, were ya?

 

[Uncle B]

Is there something other than the copy I have? There are no remarks on my ticket.

Yes. In my case, the cop wrote some notes on his copy of the ticket. I was able to get a copy of the ticket with the notes from the PD. To this day I don't know if this cop was the biggest dick ever, making up shit that didn't happen or if he got my ticket mixed up with a different traffic stop that he had...

 

[93 saturn sl2]

Non of those other points really apply to me. Maybe im wrong??

 

[93 saturn sl2]

Yes. In my case, the cop wrote some notes on his copy of the ticket. I was able to get a copy of the ticket with the notes from the PD. To this day I don't know if this cop was the biggest dick ever, making up shit that didn't happen or if he got my ticket mixed up with a different traffic stop that he had...

lol.. Ill give the station a call in a couple days and request a copy.

 

[derbydad276]

I live in canton and avoid ford like (mono)
people that live in canton stay off ford road
we go north to warren or south to cherry hill and only go up to ford when we have to

 

[DBK]

The "everyone be a moron and create a huge traffic backup by getting over extremely early and then watch as a bunch of butt hurt idiots try and play offensive line and block any and all cars" is a uniquely stupid American phenomenon.

You know when people should get over? When someone allows them over. You know when people should allow someone over? When they see a blinking turn signal. You know what people do when they see a blinking turn signal? Think to themselves "Not me. No way. Fuck you guy, this is America. I seen this sign and it said get over. And you was not over. And now I won't let you over because I seen the sign and you was not over and I was over and I can't be lettin some guy that was not over get over after I was over." I've never been anywhere else where traffic signals are seen as some sort of affront to a driver's manhood. Here, people see a turn signal, and speed up not to let you over 9 times out of 10.

Drives me fucking nuts. The whole time I lived in Europe, it was largely "Oh look, there's a merge sign, I'll put my signal on, continue the flow of traffic and move over when convenient." That way there wasn't a 1/2 mile stretch of uselessly empty lane next to all the jackasses filling one lane, needlessly worsening a traffic backup. As mentioned, it's been repeatedly shown that traffic flows more smoothly in this circumstance when all the available pavement is used.

You don't deserve the ticket!

 

[Uncle B]

The "everyone be a moron and create a huge traffic backup by getting over extremely early and then watch as a bunch of butt hurt idiots try and play offensive line and block any and all cars" is a uniquely stupid American phenomenon.

You know when people should get over? When someone allows them over. You know when people should allow someone over? When they see a blinking turn signal. You know what people do when they see a blinking turn signal? Think to themselves "Not me. No way. Fuck you guy, this is America. I seen this sign and it said get over. And you was not over. And now I won't let you over because I seen the sign and you was not over and I was over and I can't be lettin some guy that was not over get over after I was over." I've never been anywhere else where traffic signals are seen as some sort of affront to a driver's manhood. Here, people see a turn signal, and speed up not to let you over 9 times out of 10.

Drives me fucking nuts. The whole time I lived in Europe, it was largely "Oh look, there's a merge sign, I'll put my signal on, continue the flow of traffic and move over when convenient." That way there wasn't a 1/2 mile stretch of uselessly empty lane next to all the jackasses filling one lane, needlessly worsening a traffic backup. As mentioned, it's been repeatedly shown that traffic flows more smoothly in this circumstance when all the available pavement is used.

You don't deserve the ticket!

Well said!

 

[robvas]

You don't deserve the ticket!

He's creating the problem if he's the only car doing it.

It would turn into one big game of chicken if everyone waited until the last minute.

 

[DBK]

He's creating the problem if he's the only car doing it.

It would turn into one big game of chicken if everyone waited until the last minute.

I believe he said he could only turn in the right turn lane. Is he supposed to sit there eternally blocking the turn lane or just never get out period?

It would not turn into a game of chicken if drivers weren't complete and total morons and realized that no, your penis does not in fact get any smaller, if you allow a person with a turn signal on to get in front of you. Trust me, I learned to drive at the British School of Motoring. I've driven extensively on both continents. The way it goes down here is stupid, inefficient and the product of a bizarre and irrational sense of wounded pride by letting people get over.

 

[Billydroveit]

The "everyone be a moron and create a huge traffic backup by getting over extremely early and then watch as a bunch of butt hurt idiots try and play offensive line and block any and all cars" is a uniquely stupid American phenomenon.

You know when people should get over? When someone allows them over. You know when people should allow someone over? When they see a blinking turn signal. You know what people do when they see a blinking turn signal? Think to themselves "Not me. No way. Fuck you guy, this is America. I seen this sign and it said get over. And you was not over. And now I won't let you over because I seen the sign and you was not over and I was over and I can't be lettin some guy that was not over get over after I was over." I've never been anywhere else where traffic signals are seen as some sort of affront to a driver's manhood. Here, people see a turn signal, and speed up not to let you over 9 times out of 10.

Drives me fucking nuts. The whole time I lived in Europe, it was largely "Oh look, there's a merge sign, I'll put my signal on, continue the flow of traffic and move over when convenient." That way there wasn't a 1/2 mile stretch of uselessly empty lane next to all the jackasses filling one lane, needlessly worsening a traffic backup. As mentioned, it's been repeatedly shown that traffic flows more smoothly in this circumstance when all the available pavement is used.

You don't deserve the ticket!

I believe he said he could only turn in the right turn lane. Is he supposed to sit there eternally blocking the turn lane or just never get out period?

It would not turn into a game of chicken if drivers weren't complete and total morons and realized that no, your penis does not in fact get any smaller, if you allow a person with a turn signal on to get in front of you. Trust me, I learned to drive at the British School of Motoring. I've driven extensively on both continents. The way it goes down here is stupid, inefficient and the product of a bizarre and irrational sense of wounded pride by letting people get over.

Well said. I commute 70 plus miles a day i'm the guy who isn't worried that anotehr guy is gonna think my penis is small because i was a curtious driver...lol If your blkiner is on, i'm letting you over. simple as that!

 

[DetroitStyle]

The "everyone be a moron and create a huge traffic backup by getting over extremely early and then watch as a bunch of butt hurt idiots try and play offensive line and block any and all cars" is a uniquely stupid American phenomenon.

You know when people should get over? When someone allows them over. You know when people should allow someone over? When they see a blinking turn signal. You know what people do when they see a blinking turn signal? Think to themselves "Not me. No way. Fuck you guy, this is America. I seen this sign and it said get over. And you was not over. And now I won't let you over because I seen the sign and you was not over and I was over and I can't be lettin some guy that was not over get over after I was over." I've never been anywhere else where traffic signals are seen as some sort of affront to a driver's manhood. Here, people see a turn signal, and speed up not to let you over 9 times out of 10.

Drives me fucking nuts. The whole time I lived in Europe, it was largely "Oh look, there's a merge sign, I'll put my signal on, continue the flow of traffic and move over when convenient." That way there wasn't a 1/2 mile stretch of uselessly empty lane next to all the jackasses filling one lane, needlessly worsening a traffic backup. As mentioned, it's been repeatedly shown that traffic flows more smoothly in this circumstance when all the available pavement is used.

You don't deserve the ticket!

+100

 

[93 saturn sl2]

Thanks guys. Hopefully the magistrate will see it the same way I do.