Turn - Not In Safety
Back in November 2009, I received a Turn - Not In Safety while making a turn at Midland Ave. East and one intersection north of McNicoll Ave. (this left turn heading northbound turns into a Lowe's/Pizza Pizza).
I was waiting stopped in the left turn lane while awaiting for oncoming traffic. Before the vehicle in the right southbound lane proceeded through, the light turned from green to yellow. I waited for that car to pass through the intersection, assessed the vehicle in the left southbound lane to have slowed down sufficiently and appeared to have stopped, and then proceeded to make the left turn at which I collided headfirst with the oncoming vehicle in the left south-bound lane. I'm also unsure whether the light was yellow or red at the time, and my testimony will say that.
Insurance company has already assessed me for being 100% a fault, so I've lost my deductible, but that's that.
I've made a plead of not guilty, and I was wondering if a ticket issued to the other driver for driving without insurance and proper vehicle plating will help me in this case. I should also note that I've also received a summons of witness regarding the other driver's offenses. A few of my colleagues have mentioned stories of how tickets have been dropped when other drivers involved showed up to testify against the defendant, although to me that seems logically irrelevant, since we're bound by law to show up for a summons?
One more thing out of curiosity. When a ticket is issued and a section is referred to, is there a legal difference between 142 (1) and 142.1? If the officer writes 142.1 but is referring to 142 (1) is this a mistake?