Improper Lane Change Citation in Fairfax, VA

[Kahn]

Hello,

I was issued an improper lane change citation 82-1-6 (46.2-e04) recently when driving to work through Fairfax. I was on a 2-3 lane road (not a highway) and in the left lane. At the upcoming intersection there was a left turn lane. I wanted to make a left and turned my blinker on several dozen feet prior to the turn but cars would not let me in. As I was inching forward to try to merge (cars were behind me) a car near the front waved me in.

As I was continuing through the turn an officer flagged me down and wrote me up for improper lane change. I am a 25 years old with no prior violations of any kind. The fine does not bother me so much as the fact that Virginia gives 4 points for an improper lane change that I do not think I am guilty of.

From conversations I have had with coworkers it seems Fairfax does not often remove points when appearing in court and will only not report the violation to the DMV (for points assessment) if found not guilty.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kahn

[Kahn]

I believe my description may have given you the wrong impression. I did not use the left hand turn lane to pass any other cars. I was in the left lane and attempting to get in the left hand turn lane to make a turn. I am not sure of the exact footage (as I didnt go out and measure the intersection), but I but on my blinker as soon as I saw the lane was splitting to make a left. Unfortunately a car was going left closely behind me and I didnt want to cut him off.

[darrell]

You are only supposed to enter a turn lane at the opening of the white line as DC said. If you go to far and cross the white then it's pinch time. Take the ticket and fight it, most likely you will lose but hey you know know..

Was he wearing his hat?

Check the ticket to see if he marked the color of your car correctly.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Kahn]

Thanks for the information. I am happy to bring you so much amusement I was under the impression that if someone waves you in then it is permissible to switch lanes. I do however remember many years back when I read the book on single solid lines and dotted lines. An additional question is this: I was informed by the Virginia DMV that Fairfax sometimes will forego the points if you appear in court and ask to attend a driver safety class. To your knowledge is this common or possible in this situation. I was honestly not intending to rush past any cars and I did not cut anyone off as the person behind me waved me in. I just wanted to make a left turn and was attempting to get into the lane.

Thanks again

[darrell]

You aint amused me yet son. You thinks it's permissable if someone waves you in? Ok then I will wave you in front of a firing squad with M-60 machine gun fire. Will you think it's ok then? If you were to have czused a accident and hurt or killed someone you'd get laughed at or your *** chewed if you told a cop or a judge that. Leave that comment at home.

[Kahn]

Darrell,

It would be great if you could answer my question as it was not my purpose to agitate you. Nonetheless, I do believe in my situation it would have been difficult to cause an accident since the person stopped and waved me in to allow me to enter the lane. I was also going between 5-10 mph when pulling into the lane. Remember this was a medium sized street, not a highway situation.

Thanks

[darrell]

Darrell,

It would be great if you could answer my question as it was not my purpose to agitate you. Nonetheless, I do believe in my situation it would have been difficult to cause an accident since the person stopped and waved me in to allow me to enter the lane. I was also going between 5-10 mph when pulling into the lane. Remember this was a medium sized street, not a highway situation.

Thanks

My point when over your head and below your feet on that one. Never mind.

Good luck on the ticket.

[cecilVA]

Was the officer picky? Maybe. Was the officer right? Sounds like it.

[mcsap]

Don't forget the 5 P's.

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

Just because YOU got YOURSELF into a traffic situation in which YOU missed your legal ability to turn does not mean that YOU can than decide when and how to BREAK the law so you aren't late for your destination.

You can always go to court but traffic laws are pretty black and white and don't require any intent on your part.

[txinvestigator1]

**looks around*** Good job guys!