New Law/Ticket? (insurance, how much, live)

[BigCountry]

After lunch I pulled onto 485 on the way back to work today off the Ft Mill exit, drove a mile or so (right past the Arrowwood Exit), passed a cop on the side of the road giving someone a ticket. Did not think nothing of it.

Shortly after he pulls up behind me, flags me over and writes me a ticket for the following..

"Operate a motor vehicle on a street or highway (and failing to move vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest to the parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the authorized emergency vehicle) when an authorized emergency vehicle is parked or standing within 12 feet of a roadway and is giving a warning signal by appropriate light (G.S 20-157(F))"

Freaking 250 dollar ticket, 120 court costs! So I now have to appear in court and take like a 4 hour class so it will not go on my insurance.

I have not received a driving violation ticket in forever...pisses me off. I could at least receieved a warning, heck I did not even know I was required my law to move over.

Anyway just be aware of this so you can avoid the same.

[InSouthPark]

Yeah, this law passed a few months ago and it was published in the Observer at the time. I remember telling my wife of the new law since she doesn't read the paper.

[nail in da coffin]

Would you also, please, when emergency vehicles are on the side of road, not block the person ahead of you who is trying to move one lane over from doing so? as the fifty something murano driving starbucks drinking slob blocked me from doing yesterday on I85

[BigCountry]

Do Police not give warnings anymore?

Heck I rarely read the paper..

[SunnyKayak]

NCSmartLink.org - Traffic Incident Management

[vindaloo]

Originally Posted by BigCountry

After lunch I pulled onto 485 on the way back to work today off the Ft Mill exit, drove a mile or so (right past the Arrowwood Exit), passed a cop on the side of the road giving someone a ticket. Did not think nothing of it.

Shortly after he pulls up behind me, flags me over and writes me a ticket for the following..

"Operate a motor vehicle on a street or highway (and failing to move vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest to the parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the authorized emergency vehicle) when an authorized emergency vehicle is parked or standing within 12 feet of a roadway and is giving a warning signal by appropriate light (G.S 20-157(F))"

Freaking 250 dollar ticket, 120 court costs! So I now have to appear in court and take like a 4 hour class so it will not go on my insurance.

I have not received a driving violation ticket in forever...pisses me off. I could at least receieved a warning, heck I did not even know I was required my law to move over.

Anyway just be aware of this so you can avoid the same.

Yep! I am aware. Looks like you were wrong and will have to bite the dust on this one. Generally seeing everyone else move over a lane when a cop is on the right is a good indication that others should possibly follow. Just think how much that money will help the city. You could possibly be paying room an board for some poor criminal that was inconvenienced by being held in custody for a few hours or possible over night after commiting a burglary or mugging?

[BigCountry]

Well what was ironic is like a few dozen cars passed us in the far right lane as he sat in the car and gave me the ticket...

Well now I know I guess. How much will it cost me out of pocket you think? If I go to court and take the 4 hour video class?

[aardvarks]

What happens if the lane next to you is occupied?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by BigCountry

Do Police not give warnings anymore?

Heck I rarely read the paper..

Not on this offense - we've had too many law enforcement/medical rescue personnel injured by folks in that outside lane. This has been a law now for over a year and was also discussed in tv ads - sorry you missed them, but live and learn!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by aardvarks

What happens if the lane next to you is occupied?

You immediately reduce your speed to let that person on your left get by and then quickly move over. Also, drivers in that lane are supposed to let you merge when they see emergency lights up ahead or they could be ticketed too.