Q: Received ticket for failure to maintain lane. Should I fight it?
I received a traffic ticket for failure to maintain lane while driving on a wet shoulder. I was trying to pull over due to a strange noise coming from my vehicle, which caused me to slide a little and temporarily get stuck. The police officer who issued the ticket didn't see any damage or injuries. I'm 20 years old, and this is my first ticket; I've never been in an accident. Should I fight this ticket?
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A:
I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this—getting a ticket when you were trying to do the right thing can feel really unfair. In Georgia, a "failure to maintain lane" citation usually means the officer believed your vehicle left its lane without good reason or in an unsafe way. But based on what you described, it sounds like you had a mechanical concern, reacted responsibly, and the wet road conditions may have contributed to what happened.
Because this is your first ticket, and there was no accident or damage, you might have a good chance at getting the charge reduced or even dismissed if you explain the situation clearly in court. Judges can be understanding, especially if you show up prepared, respectful, and provide any evidence—like photos of the road conditions or a statement from a mechanic if something was wrong with your car. Even if the court doesn’t dismiss it outright, they may offer you a reduced charge or a no-point option to help protect your record.
You’re not wrong for wanting to fight it, especially when your intent was to be cautious. Taking the time to contest it could help avoid points on your license and higher insurance rates. You’ve got a clean record so far—this doesn’t have to define it.
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