(From Pennsylvania)
Last week I got pulled over by a traffic cop for turning right on red. I did not see the ‘no right turn on red’ sign. Fortunately, there were no oncoming cars around and I sailed through it without angering any fellow motorists, except the cop
When he stopped me, I was totally surprised to know that I had broken the law. I spontaneously said ‘Oh I’m sorry. I absolutely didn’t see the sign”.
I told him it was probably because I had my car sun visor all the way down due to the angle of the sun. For the record the sun was hitting the top of my dash board from the side of the car and blinding me. It wasn’t hitting my eyes from the front of the car. I have been in that area before but never on that side of the intersection and therefore didn’t have a memory of the existence of the ‘no right turn on red’ sign.
He gave me a citation which said “defendant didn’t not obey traffic control devices”. When he handed it to me he said it would not affect my insurance premiums nor would I get any black points for this whether I pleaded guilty or not. He said I should read everything carefully and decide if I’d like to plead not guilty. I said ‘but you just saw me turn when I shouldn’t have, so doesn’t that mean I’m guilty?’ He said ‘you can plead not guilty’.
So that is what I did and got myself a docket no. I will receive the date of my trial in a few weeks I guess. I live in Pennsylvania. This is my first traffic violation since coming to USA 5 years ago.
I would really appreciate if anyone here who has experience with this would kindly advise me how I should handle this so that the judge at least reduces the fine of $170. FYI I am a 54 yo mother of 2 adult sons and I was on my way home running some errands after my volunteer work at the soup kitchen . I am a careful driver and always obey signs. Money is tight right now after my husband had to take a salary reduction and I am unemployed. However it’s taught me that I should never let my guard down on the road even when my visor is down.
Last week I got pulled over by a traffic cop for turning right on red. I did not see the ‘no right turn on red’ sign. Fortunately, there were no oncoming cars around and I sailed through it without angering any fellow motorists, except the cop
When he stopped me, I was totally surprised to know that I had broken the law. I spontaneously said ‘Oh I’m sorry. I absolutely didn’t see the sign”.
I told him it was probably because I had my car sun visor all the way down due to the angle of the sun. For the record the sun was hitting the top of my dash board from the side of the car and blinding me. It wasn’t hitting my eyes from the front of the car. I have been in that area before but never on that side of the intersection and therefore didn’t have a memory of the existence of the ‘no right turn on red’ sign.
He gave me a citation which said “defendant didn’t not obey traffic control devices”. When he handed it to me he said it would not affect my insurance premiums nor would I get any black points for this whether I pleaded guilty or not. He said I should read everything carefully and decide if I’d like to plead not guilty. I said ‘but you just saw me turn when I shouldn’t have, so doesn’t that mean I’m guilty?’ He said ‘you can plead not guilty’.
So that is what I did and got myself a docket no. I will receive the date of my trial in a few weeks I guess. I live in Pennsylvania. This is my first traffic violation since coming to USA 5 years ago.
I would really appreciate if anyone here who has experience with this would kindly advise me how I should handle this so that the judge at least reduces the fine of $170. FYI I am a 54 yo mother of 2 adult sons and I was on my way home running some errands after my volunteer work at the soup kitchen . I am a careful driver and always obey signs. Money is tight right now after my husband had to take a salary reduction and I am unemployed. However it’s taught me that I should never let my guard down on the road even when my visor is down.
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