California traffic laws suck.................

TITAN_mojoe · 06-30-2006, 10:03 PM

Being a recent California transplant and Titan owner, I am perplexed by the traffic laws here. I got my first ticket a couple of weeks ago, for all things, being in the carpool lane on the on-ramp to the freeway!!!

....There were 3 CHP squad cars and 1 Motorcycle cop pulling over just about everyone...when I was on the shoulder there were 5 vehicles including me and the line was getting longer!!...Now, I know what I did was wrong and I am willing to pay the fine, but for christ's sake, the fine was $361!!!

...that's the same amount for running a red light!!! I understand running red lights=car accidents=hence expensive fine, but being on the carpool lane on the on-ramp to the freeway WHICH HAS NO CARPOOL LANE=????...what kind of dangerous situation????.....I can't see how Cali law makers can justify this insane amount

...bear in mind too, its a no-point traffic violation......makes a lot of sense

....and I WAS gonna use that money to drop in a new intake.....
joe

**faith+1** · 07-01-2006, 02:27 AM

Its tough sometimes because when I went to Cali just recently they dont mark the carpool on ramps as well as one would think. In AZ they have two lanes most of the time and you can get into either. There are those select areas where it is carpool only but they post a very big sign at the start of the on ramp.

Most of the time I was in the carpool on ramp I had someone else with me (Cuz I was on Vaca) but I can see it being confusing... just like people not reading the sign that says "two cars" to go through a light at a time. Thats just annoying if you get behind someone who doesnt know and gets freaked out when you follow them. lol

DRTYAZN · 07-01-2006, 03:55 AM

Well, the goal of CHP's presence and ticket writing spree in ur scenario seems to be for the purpose of relieving traffic congestion problems at that particular ramp. There must have been many complaints at that particular ramp, 'cause that is quite a bit of enforcement for one ramp... As for the fine for that violation, the fine is administratively set that high, but the person to talk to would be the Judge in traffic court. He/She has the ability to lessen, increase, or even dismiss fines. I recommend that you go make your appearance, explain your interpretation of the incident, yet acceptance of the violation, and ask for a lessor fine... Hopefully the judge will hear your plee and lower the fine... At least then, you stand a chance to save some money...

dawgs77 · 07-01-2006, 08:27 AM

You did run a red light......by being in the carpool lane you got around the metering lights.

37L1 · 07-01-2006, 10:48 AM

Welcome to California.

Too many people crammed into tight quarters created this scenario.

I was born there (unlike most of the current residents) and spent almost my entire life there minus a few "excursions" into the land of the barbarians. . .

The quality of life has deteriorated greatly, car pool lanes and traffic congestion are just symptoms.

I finally got the hell out. Sad.

Sorry about your citation. What is familiar to locals is not so to strangers.
I'm going through the same thing here but so far so good.

BRACEYOSELF777 · 07-01-2006, 11:46 AM

The carpool lane for on ramps are to pass everyone else up at a light that isn't a car pool on that on ramp. By you using that carpool and not havning anyone else in the car...you kind of broke "California's Law." Same thing with carpool lanes on the freeway..you get caught in one, same fine. I was born here in Cali and still live here. Welcome to the Golden State. Sorry about your ticket....but I got my own worries too. I got two speeding tickets to deal with and I have to do traffic school...combined both could of bought me a Tru-trac....installed.

**konigfritz** · 07-01-2006, 01:57 PM

Carpool? what's that?

Heheh ehee, there aren't enough folks around here to do that.

TITAN_mojoe · 07-02-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRACEYOSELF777

The carpool lane for on ramps are to pass everyone else up at a light that isn't a car pool on that on ramp. By you using that carpool and not havning anyone else in the car...you kind of broke "California's Law." Same thing with carpool lanes on the freeway..you get caught in one, same fine. I was born here in Cali and still live here. Welcome to the Golden State. Sorry about your ticket....but I got my own worries too. I got two speeding tickets to deal with and I have to do traffic school...combined both could of bought me a Tru-trac....installed.

Ouch....................

Now that I'm using the correct lane, I still see single drivers flying by me all the time..............if you look closely, you can see smoke coming out of my ears....

m95roadster · 07-02-2006, 03:06 PM

I'll tell you this, CA infrastructure is light years ahead of the midwestern states. Their freeways and roads are dangerously designed and backwards! There is no such thing as "merging" over there. It's all "yields" which means that you must absolutely stop or get hit!

BRACEYOSELF777 · 07-02-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m95roadster

I'll tell you this, CA infrastructure is light years ahead of the midwestern states. Their freeways and roads are dangerously designed and backwards! There is no such thing as "merging" over there. It's all "yields" which means that you must absolutely stop or get hit!

Well out here in C.A. everything is a jackpot. Everyone speeds and everyone uses carpool lanes. Sometimes you strike rich and get to pay a fine sum of money to our wonderful state. Then the money goes to making our freeways backwards and even more dangerous.

TITAN_mojoe · 07-03-2006, 07:07 PM

Well, I talked to my insurance agent and she said the ticket won't raise my premiums......guess I dodged a bullet