Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Most Stupid Traffic Ticket I Ever Got

Sorry for the lack of posting today. I was on the road. I must be the only guy in Louisiana that did not realize one must have your lights on when your windshield wipers are on!!! Heck it was a light mist and boom a State Trooper stopped me!! What is the point of this law!!!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oneal Lane here:

James you are lucky! You passed the test. The object was to pull you over and in-rage you over the trivial matter. After you were agitated he could then paractice tazering you, something police enjoy with great relish!!

Chris Osgood said...

GET OUT OF IT!!! FIGHT IT ALL THE WAY!!!

But I am finding it funny :)

Anonymous said...

It was a law passed several years ago. I agree with it. Basically, it is because cars are hard to see in the rain, so in order to make it easy for people to follow, whenever you have to turn your wipers on, turn your lights on. Simple and easy methodology. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

James H said...

"Simple and easy methodology. Ignorance of the law is no excuse."

Well I wished they have made this law more "public' O am an going to have produce when it is over 200 bucks!!!

Nicholas Jagneaux said...

Simple and easy methodology.

Actually, I disagree. This boils down to a matter of interpretation. According to the officer, the situation required headlights.

However, James said there was only a "light" mist. I know about the law, but there are plenty of times that I have to use my wipers VERY intermittently -- like in a light mist -- but I don't feel that headlights are appropriate.

I can't find the exact wording of the statute in Louisiana, but the Drivers' Guide officially published by the State of Louisiana, says, "The law further requires that headlights be turned on when driving in weather conditions that make it difficult for people to see your vehicle clearly from a distance of 500 feet."

What does that mean? Who gets to decide if it is "difficult for people to see your vehicle" from a distance of less than 2 football fields? Does a "light" mist count?

I wish I knew the exact language of the statute. James, when you were cited, what statute did the officer put on the citation? It would be useful to read it.

I once got a citation for causing an accident during a very heavy rainstorm. However, upon reading the exact wording of the statute, I realized that I DID NOT do anything wrong. In fact, I was operating my vehicle prudently, considering the circumstances.

Consequently, I wrote to the D.A., citing the language of the relevant statute and the circumstances; and the citation was dropped.

I'm not saying that James would win this one; but it's worth a try.

***And, yes, I agree that "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." This particular defense is not based on ignorance of the law. It is based on the actual wording of the law.

Anonymous said...

In addition, headlights are required when moisture in
the air or precipitation necessitates the use of windshield wipers and when weather conditions are
unfavorable.

This is from the Louisiana DMV booklet one must given to those studying to take the driving test.

Just because "YOU" don't feel they are necessary, doesn't mean the law doesn't. I don't feel it is necessary for me to pay taxes, especially now that some of them go to planned parenthood, but in order to stay out of jail, I must. Unless I become Wesley Snipes, get a slap and then do bowflex commercials.


Doesn't say periodically using wipers, just says "necessitates." This could mean one second. The law is broad in this case...yes, this is not the exact statute..but it is in the manual.

David (I left the simple methodology comment which I still stand by)

DiscerningDave said...

Oh, and here is the link to the manual..
http://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/omvpubs.nsf

James H said...

"I'm not saying that James would win this one; but it's worth a try."

Thanks!! I am going to fight it

Chris Osgood said...

Let me know how it all turns out. I will be praying for you!