Something everyone should know
Originally shared by +CopTalk
ASK A COP? – Failure to yield to an Emergency Vehicle
—–Original Message—–
From: katie
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 7:32 AM
To: info@coptalk.info
Subject: failure to yield to emergency vehicle?
If a cop already has someone pulled over on the side of the road, and you swerve around them but don’t go completely into the second lane, is that a considered a failure to yield to an emergency vehicle?
I received a ticket last night for this and I don’t feel that I did anything wrong. When the cop was done giving the car he had pulled over a ticket (I’m just guessing he did) he then turned on his lights and I pulled to the side thinking he had to get somewhere. But then I realized he was pulling me over. And gave me a ticket saying I failed to turn completely into the second lane while he was on the side of the road. However I did not fail to yield to him because I swerved around him pulling over the other car, and again pulled off to the side of the road when he pulled me over.
Would you agree that I do or do not deserve a ticket? I usually don’t disagree with cops, but a $178 ticket for failing to yield when I did in fact yield, I even slowed my car down as I went by him (because I always feel extra cautious when driving by a cop) and swerved around them. His argument is that I did not turn into the second lane on the road. However, I did partially turn into the second lane, it just wasn't a complete 100% turn into the other lane.
Do I deserve this ticket or can I go to court and fight it?
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ANSWER:
The law is often interpreted differently by different people. If you go to court and say you slowed down and partially changed lanes before passing, it will be your word against the officers. I see people disobey this law quite a bit because they just are not aware of it. If you go to court and say you knew of the law and explain the actions you took the judge may or may not side with you. In the least, if the officer doesn't show up the citation will be dismissed. Sounds like you feel you did enough while the officer felt you didn't do enough. If you feel strongly that you didn't deserve the ticket you should go to court to fight it. Just remain calm, don’t interrupt the officer, and wait for your turn to explain your side. Photos of the scene would be helpful showing your view as you approached the area. With an enlarged photo you’ll be able to show the judge exactly what you did. People with great photos and prepared for their case often have a good chance in court rather than the people who just show up empty handed and say they are innocent.
Here’s the law:
The Law
Vehicle Code 21809. (a) A person driving a vehicle on a freeway approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, a stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or a stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, shall approach with due caution and, before passing in a lane immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, absent other direction by a peace officer, proceed to do one of the following:
(1) Make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law.
(2) If the maneuver described in paragraph (1) would be unsafe or impracticable, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.
(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).
(c) The requirements of subdivision (a) do not apply if the stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, the stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or the stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights is not adjacent to the freeway or is separated from the freeway by a protective physical barrier.
CopTalk Staff
A photo after the fact is pointless for it doesn't show the exact location of the emergency vehicle or the amount of traffic on that day/hour.
I would argue that it was unsafe for the driver to swerve into the other lane. There could have been a car in his blind spot. A collusion could have exited and would not only endangered those drivers, but the officer and the occupants of the car off the side of the road had the two cars bounced off of each other. There are videos of such an accident where such collusion has happen.
I think the whole idea of any officer pulling a car over on the freeway is ludicrous. Drivers should take the next exit and then pull over when they are on a road with slower moving traffic. But many will argue that we've been doing this practice for many years and see little reason not to change the laws.
re Do I deserve this ticket or can I go to court and fight it do you think you can go too court and win think ya can win this in my view a cop is allways right and the JUDGE IS aswell leave well alone pay the ticket and next time stop behind the coper and see wat he says atleast you wouldnt of had to slow down or yeild away from him/her ide just pay the ticket and be done with it saves paying the judge then less money in his/her pocket
This is a pretty simple law to follow in the big picture. What I have found is nobody informs the public of the new rules till you get a ticket.
That is an issue.
And way most people for the first 6 months after a new law is in affect – get warnings.
So the law states no more than $50 (2b), but this person got hit with $178?
Pretty typical to have fees of 100 or more plus the cost of the initial violation then add traffic school if you can go….