Another one of these, I know. But should I dispute this ticket?
 

A lot of times, I get annoyed when I see these kind of posts, but hear me out on this one. I think I have a legitimate reason to dispute this ticket or at the minimum have the ticket fine reduced.

I was travelling on Highway 1 in Coquitlam travelling to Burnaby. I was on the left lane (fast lane) and was fast approaching a slower driver in front of me. I will admit, I was going about 120 km/h on this lane. Due to there being cars on the right lane, I was unable to switch over. Instead on braking hard, I decided to switch into the HOV lane (on the left side), pass the driver, and switch back onto the left lane. I was literally in and out of the HOV lane in under five seconds.

Here's the unlucky part, there was an RCMP office quickly approaching me on the HOV lane. I honestly did not see him before switching back into the fast lane. Once he verified that I was the only passenger in the vehicle, I got pulled over and was given a ticket despite me telling him what had happened.

A little more info on this incident: There was little traffic on the highway during that time. I believe a single passenger car wouldn't break the law to drive on the HOV when there's little traffic in all lanes. Also, I have dashcam footage of the slower driver in the fast lane, that there were cars on the slow lane, and that I was in and out of the HOV lane within seconds.

What are your thoughts? This would be the first time I will be disputing a ticket. Do you think it's worth it for me? Keep in mind I already have 3 points this year, having another 2 points will make me pay a premium. Before you say that I am a shitty driver for getting all these points, keep in mind that i've only received these two tickets in the 15+ years of me driving. At the most, I've been a shitty driver for only this year. lol.

All he dinged you for was an HOV violation? Be thankful that's all you got and move on would be my advice.

Well, you just admitted to speeding and illegal use of an HOV lane. So yeah, pay the ticket

^^ This

Suck it up, buttercup.

The hypocrite is strong with this one. Didn't even get dinged for speeding and want to dispute. C'mon.

I tried to get a lower fine amount recently for speeding. The lowest they can go due to statutory limitations (according to the judge and the cop) was a 138 bucks. Since i was only disputing the amount I couldn't get it any lower than 138 for speeding.

Adjournments are also changed as everyone is now entitled to a speedy trial. I tried to ask for an adjournment due to work reasons and they denied it. Only written medical reasons are valid now.

Good luck

There's no case here to dispute. The officer saw you use the HOV lane when you only had one person in the car. It's an HOV lane, not a passing lane.

Out of curiosity, did you ask the PO if they ever pull people over for driving slow in the passing lane?

By disputing the ticket. Can your demerit points roll over to the next year which avoids the 5 point premium penalty?

When the police officer pulled me over, I told him I knew exactly why he pulled me over. When I told him why I did what I did, all he said was "I didn't see it."

I totally take responsibility for speeding and going on the HOV lane and I will most likely end up paying for the ticket. I just felt under the circumstances, moving onto the HOV was the safer thing to do instead of breaking hard to slow down. But what if I wasn't speeding and you have a driver that is going well below the speed limit? would anything change there?

actually you dont have any legitimate reason to argue.

1. you were travelling above the speed limit
2. even if the driver in front of you was driving below the posted speed, you are responsible to drive accordingly to maintain a clear distance from the front of the driver.
3. i dont see why you need to "slam" your brakes to reduce your speed from 120 to ~80/90km/h if you had maintain a good distance from the front of the car

TL;DR- pay the ticket

So what's the posted speed limit?

If someone is hogging the left lane, I usually flash my high beams at them.

But yeah, on a clear highway, you should be able to see that car from far away.

Sorry man but that didn't sound like a good excuse at all. You have eyes and you knew you were approaching that car well before you were in "slam on the brakes mode". You took a chance and got burned plain and simple.

Had a car came into your lane forcing you to go into the HOV Lane to avoid getting hit that would be a different story.

I'm going to guess the lines into the HOV lane were solid and not dashed where you did this as well = illegal lane change... so............ there goes the safety argument.

The spirit of the law is that the HOV lane should not be used to travel by a lone driver... you just used it for a brief second on video (seeing your dash video doesnt state your speed), so ask for reduced charges.

A lot of times, I get annoyed when I see these kind of posts, but hear me out on this one.

you are retarted

Area OP got caught in is 90kph. I'm not gonna disagree that it's too slow but that's for another discussion

Lol sounds like he already let you off easy, count your blessings

I'm always driving by myself in the HOV lane................

I love my electric car.


:troll:

Damn, that's crappy luck but it seems like a clear-cut scenario in this case.

In a perfect world this type of thing would never happen because people wouldn't hog the left lane, but this ain't the United States and drivers are selfish idiots here.

Pay the ticket! If the cop was really being a dick he would have gotten you for speeding and illegal lane change (if the white line was solid)...

Its all cash grab at the end of the day. Cant argue with the law. Even tho you been driving decades with a clean record they just want your money.

Or maybe... that just makes you a shitty driver for 15+ years who's only been caught once or twice.

:badpokerface:

You did something wrong and got caught..

https://i.imgur.com/YpmAmWf.jpg


But if you want a lawyer to dispute, maybe get in contact with another member on this forum...

Yeah, that's really pushing your luck going 120km/h. Easy speeding ticket right there.

Except it's not a cash grab in this case?

You did something wrong, plain and simple. You got into an HOV lane with only the driver in the car, and that's not legal.

Ask if they can possibly reduce the fine and just pay for it. Whining here will just get you more burned.

I got a red light camera ticket a while ago as I ran a red as the left turn signal turned red as I was going through. I could have whined and said, "But it turned red right on me!" Nope, just paid for it and told myself not to do it again.

I believe the HOV lane is solid white line as well for the majority of the way. So, even if not speeding or single passenger . You would be ticketed for crossing a solid white . You can only exit out during a solid white not enter.

Is it illegal to enter and exit the HOV when it's a solid white line?

Do you have to wait for a broken white line to exit/enter HOV?