I think the Gang of Approximately Five wants go in on an Austin Attorney to fight for truth, justice, and The American Way (which in this case means getting a little slack for an innocent going-straight-in-a-right-turn-only-lane). Stooopid maker of beasts with multiple backs on the back of a beast :P
If anyone has a good one let us know [thumbsup]
Thanks in advance ;D
So what exactly happened?
I understand that you guys were ticketed for going straight in a right turn-only lane, but were there existing circumstances that allowed you to safely do so?
Did you signal to go back into the straight-only lane? Any traffic in the surrounding lanes?
Was this out in the countryside or in an urban area?
Just curious, since I've done this myself a few times both in the car and on the bike...
They were parking just on the other side of the intersection, on the right.
So had moved over to the right lane in anticipation of needing to be on the right side of the road in about 100ft.
Instead of being in the far left lane then, presumably, having to cut across a lane of traffic to park. This was explained to the officers and witnessed by same, since the only reason they were ticketed was they parked just on the other side of the intersection. The same officers at the same intersection the same night, did not cite a single one of the many passenger vehicles they witnessed traveling straight in that lane and failing to make the same right turn the riders were ticketed for not making.
Additionally, all riders were unfamiliar with Austin and had no way to know ahead of time that the lane would be a turn only lane. It was after dark and crowded with people so any indication of the turn lane only could have been understandably missed. The riders were focused on pedestrians moving in and out of the intersection at that location, vehicles making last minute lane changes and unexpected stops in the road as they dropped off or picked up passengers and the other factors of driving safely in the 6th street area.
The riders were operating their motorcycles in a safe and restrictive manner, wearing proper safety gear and being courteous to the drivers around them. This in fact was the reason for moving to the right lane upon seeing the location they were meeting at. Rather than cut across traffic last moment in an unsafe manner, they made the lane change prior to the intersection and were able to park just on the other side. It is also worth noting that had they stayed in the left lane they would have had to cut across traffic to make their desired stop, since as brought up above, many other vehicles were traveling straight from the right lane during each light cycle of the intersection.
Given the fact that the riders could get signed affidavits affirming the above information from numerous witnesses, especially regarding the "selective enforcement" you'd think it would be a slam dunk.
Werd.
Just need an attorney [thumbsup]
I honestly believe, we here in Austin NEVER break the law, hence, there for, such as. we don't need attorneys like you renegade trouble makers up north.......
Sincerely,
U.S. American
OK. I'll be down there in a few short weeks. Do I need to look out for the po-po?!
Quote from: IZ on June 13, 2008, 10:46:43 PM
OK. I'll be down there in a few short weeks. Do I need to look out for the po-po?!
As long as you're not following svoloch, you should be fine ;)