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- Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Dec 17, 2016 5:00 pm
Hta 144(18) Red Light - Fail To Stop - Bicycle
Hi all, I was ticketed for this offense while on a bicycle where I "turned left" at a red light without first coming to a complete stop at the red light. It was a T-intersection where I was facing the straight through lanes (4 lanes, two in each direction) and a side street came in from the right only (2 lanes, one in each direction), and no vehicles or pedestrians were entering from the right at the time, and no vehicles on the straight through lanes were turning either.
I "turned left" in that I crossed the street to finish on the sidewalk on the left side, where was no side street on that side. From there I then proceeded on / next to the sidewalk facing the traffic.
My "left turn" did not take me into a pedestrian crosswalk because on that side of the intersection box there is no pedestrian crossing.
Before:
| | | |
------- ped crossing
= two lanes
xxxxx no-ped crossing
| | | me
After
| | | |
------- ped crossing
= two lanes
me xxxxx no-ped crossing
| | | |
My bicycle manoeuvre (red light - fail to stop) presented no risk to property or person as no one was approaching or entering the intersection that I crossed.
I find the fine amount ($260 -> $325) and implications for my vehicle insurance to be out of proportion to the severity of the infraction.
As best I can determine there is no error in the ticket and I accept the basic facts of the infraction.
Is there any point to pleading not guilty and asking a judge to reduce the fine?
Is there any point to pleading guilty with submissions for reduced penalty?
Thanks