Q: I was pulled over for merging over into the shoulder to make a right turn at a stop sign by a California Highway Patrol.
I had merged into the right shoulder to make a right turn at a stop sign. The shoulder has a hashed line at the end about 20 feet before the intersection. A car that was 2 ahead of me did the same thing and merged in front of me. The CHP officer who was parked on the street I was turning into waved me over to pull over, disregarding the other vehicle. I promptly gave him my information and he went off to write me a ticket.
The reason he gave me was, “I was passing on the shoulder too long.” He said, “I didn’t see when you merged so I assumed it was pretty far back.”
I then asked if he saw the car in front of me do the same. He said he did not. I then asked what is a reasonable distance to merge to make a right turn. He then pointed out a car that was about 300-400 from the intersection. I have video footage of me merging, the car in front of me and getting pulled over. I do not have the footage or recording of the conversation with the cop.
Should I contest it?
A:
If you believe you were unjustly issued a ticket for merging onto the shoulder to make a right turn in California, it may be worth contesting. Your video footage showing the circumstances of your merge, along with the car ahead of you doing the same, can be valuable evidence to support your case.
You should gather all relevant evidence and consult with a traffic attorney who can assess the strength of your case. They can help you navigate the legal process and represent your interests in court if necessary. It's important to remember that contesting a ticket can be a time-consuming process, so weigh the potential consequences against the chance of having the ticket dismissed. Your attorney will provide guidance on the best course of action based on the specifics of your situation.
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