Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

Failure to Obey Highway Sign: ''Right Lane Exit Only''

1. Entered I-495 from an on-ramp.

2. Went straight on the on-ramp for a little bit.

a. Note that the on-ramp entering I-495 is also the exit ramp to exit I-495 and enter I-66

3. Police cruiser merged into my lane (on-ramp/exit-ramp), behind me.

4. I signaled to merge left, onto I-495

5. Police cruiser turns on his lights.

6. Since I was the only car in front of him I slowed down, stayed in my lane and stopped on the right shoulder.

7. Police officer said that I had failed to obey a traffic sign. He said that I missed two opportunities to get out of the lane.

8. The police officer then asked for my license and registration and gave me a ticket for ''Failure to Obey Highway Sign: 'Right Lane Exit Only'''

What kind of chances do I have if I take this to court?

Thanks.


Asked on 5/03/06, 10:39 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Failure to Obey Highway Sign: ''Right Lane Exit Only''

The "opportunities" which the officer claims that you had to change lanes would appear to be somewhat ambiguous, to say the least, under the

circumstances which you've described.

You, therefore, when your case is called, after refusing to admit the infraction, should be prepared to explain your case and circumstances to the Fairfax County traffic Court judge who, perhaps, will see things differently from the officer who issued you the ticket.

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Answered on 5/03/06, 10:48 am


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