In the carpool lane by accident (21655.5B)

[cmoidel]

What is the name of your state? California

I got a ticket in California for improper use of a preferential lane (21655.5B).

I did enter the carpool lane, but it was completely by accident.

I was driving to someplace I had never been before, with MapQuest directions in hand, when I made a wrong turn. I was on the freeway heading toward the San Francisco bridge by accident and I wanted to get off of the freeway and turn around. I was unfamiliar with the area and just wanted to safely get off at the next exit. I saw a sign that said "Last Oakland Exit" with an arrow and took the off ramp. The next thing I know, I'm on a one lane stretch of road with small carpool lane signs. There was no place to exit, so I just kept driving on the one lane road. It was heading directly for the San Francisco bridge and there was a CHP officer sitting around the corner. He pulled me over and I explained that I was lost, but he didn't believe me. Apparently I got into the bus only carpool lane which doesn't have to pay the bridge toll. I didn't even want to take the bridge, let alone not pay the toll!

I went back, with my wife driving, and took pictures of the confusing exit signs. The real exit the "Last Oakland Exit" sign was referring to was actually further down, hidden by the overpass and the off ramp I took was almost completely unmarked.

My ticket was for ~$350 and I didn't think I did anything wrong. I went to walk-in court to try to fight the ticket. This was the arraignment.

Me: "I plead not guilty."
Commissioner: "Why do you plead not guilty?"
Me: "Because it was an accident."
Commissioner: "Then you actually entered the carpool lane. You mean to plead guilty with extenuating circumstanced."
Me: "Ok."
Commissioner: "186 dollar fine. Next!"

So I had to pay $186 and I wasn't able to fight the ticket. I wasn't able to show my pictures or explain the circumstances. The violation still goes on my driving record, but I was told it shouldn't cause my insurance prices to increase.

Is it true that my insurance costs shouldn't increase?
I don't think it was fair that I had to pay the fine. Is there anything I can do?

Thanks.
-Chuck

 

[ENASNI]

umm

Not sure.


NEXT...

Sorry chuck couldn't help it.


I get lost in my bedroom... that sucks...
maybe someone else will post... I bumped this up for you... so don't think I am a flamer...'kay?

 

[CdwJava]

So I had to pay $186 and I wasn't able to fight the ticket. I wasn't able to show my pictures or explain the circumstances. The violation still goes on my driving record, but I was told it shouldn't cause my insurance prices to increase.

Is it true that my insurance costs shouldn't increase?
I don't think it was fair that I had to pay the fine. Is there anything I can do?

Well, the commissioner/judge was right - you did it. You just didn't MEAN to do it. Unfortunately, traffic violations do not require specific intent, only that the act occured.

You can contact the court and see what might be done to appeal the decision, but I doubt you have any grounds to make the appeal. And if it's worth a lot to you, consider contacting an attorney.

Or, think of it this way: $186 is half of what you could have paid.

Traffic school may be an option as well.

- Carl

 

[skylinedo]

I believe this is a 1-point offense. Traffic school will clear 1 point, assuming it's been 18+ months since the last time you completed traffic school (if you ever had).

 

[cmoidel]

1-point or 0-point offense?

At the start of the session (not just my hearing), the commissioner/judge mentioned that only a moving violation was eligible for traffic school and a diamond lane violation was NOT a moving violation. He also said a diamond land violation was 0-points.

However, I have heard from other people that it is a 1-point violation.

I’m mad, but I’m not that concerned about the $186 fine. I’m more concerned about the violation going on my record and affecting my insurance costs.

 

[CdwJava]

At the start of the session (not just my hearing), the commissioner/judge mentioned that only a moving violation was eligible for traffic school and a diamond lane violation was NOT a moving violation. He also said a diamond land violation was 0-points.

However, I have heard from other people that it is a 1-point violation.

I’m mad, but I’m not that concerned about the $186 fine. I’m more concerned about the violation going on my record and affecting my insurance costs.

Per CVC 12810, this seems to be a zero point offense.

- carl

 

[tdowty]

Also got a ticket for CVC I 21655.5B

Hi. I got a ticket going West bound on I-80 back in May. I made a wrong turn and wound up heading toward the bay bridge. I ended up getting sucked into the bus lane ( I didn't see that since it was night and I was trying to figure out how to turn around.) There were about 5 police cars there and they pulled me over (seems like this is a great revenue source for them... maybe it should be marked better for people to see at night) Anyway, I am wondering if I could fight this or get the fine reduced at least.
The fine was for $436 and seems a ridiculous fine for getting lost and disoriented.

Thanks for the help,
Tim

 

[CdwJava]

Hi. I got a ticket going West bound on I-80 back in May. I made a wrong turn and wound up heading toward the bay bridge. I ended up getting sucked into the bus lane ( I didn't see that since it was night and I was trying to figure out how to turn around.) There were about 5 police cars there and they pulled me over (seems like this is a great revenue source for them... maybe it should be marked better for people to see at night) Anyway, I am wondering if I could fight this or get the fine reduced at least.
The fine was for $436 and seems a ridiculous fine for getting lost and disoriented.

Thanks for the help,
Tim

Please start you own thread for this. Resurrecting a 4 year old thread with a new question is considered bad form.

- Carl