Q: Can I appeal a ticket for an “obstructed” license plate on the grounds that the officer pulling me over tailgated me?
I was visiting family in NJ and was driving on a dark highway in my MIL’s car to see a friend. I knew I had a weird left u turn coming up and was a little freaked out about it because it was hella dark, so I was going slow (I know about that NJ law). So someone comes up on my bumper so close I can’t see their headlights. I changed lanes to let them pass. & they changed lanes, still inches from my bumper. I got scared and switched back into the left lane. And they did too, Still following close. I was really scared. And then the lights came on.
The officer pulled me over and asked me if I knew why he was pulling me over and I didn’t know. He said that I changed lanes on a road with a solid line (2 lane road but it was no passing I guess). And then He said I was doing about 35 mph in the left lane - which okay but it couldn’t have been happening for more than a min at most. He ticketed me for an obstructed lic plate b/c the light on it wasn’t bright enough.
Anything I can do?
A: Sure you can fight the ticket, but if you try to you could get a ticket for improper lane change a moving violation. Best bet is to just pay it, police are allowed to tailgate you.
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