On my way home tonight. I was approaching a construction zone which had signs for merging left. The merge point was not for another mile or so. There was a middle turn around/cop point with 2 cops with flashing lights. I realize that the cop pointing in my direction was was actually pointed of traffic flow as if signaling his intent to come out. I realize that if I stopped at the line I would have blocked him in. Stupid me, instead of stopping earlier to allow him to come out, I pull into the right lane. The whole time I'm going 35mph.

He pulls out into my lane. He turns his lights off and follows me. As I approach the flashing merge left signal (construction sign) I put on my left signal and almost come to a dead stop. As soon as I do, he puts his lights on. I immediate pull off the road onto the burm (right side). He says he pulled me over because I failed to obey 4 merge left signs (not true since I was in the left lane priory to pulling into the right lane). He goes into how people "race" down the right side only to cut in at the last minute. The problem was I was going 35mph and slower at the end. Also if I was racing wouldn't he have put down my speed?

He gives me a ticket for failing to obey traffic signs/devices. OH Code 4511.12. He also puts down that there were workers present, but 1.) It was 7pm on Sat. 2.) It was thunderstorming/lightning like crazy for the past 2hrs. 3.) I wasn't even into the construction zone since I hadn't gone into the merge point. 4.) There were no workers present in my area or any that I remember. I don't think they'd be working with lightning and thunderstorms.

 

You shoulda asked him WTF do those signs that say "use both lanes to merge point" mean! One of my pet peeves!

 

I am still in awe of that epic diagram you made us, but I am sorry to hear about the ticket.

 

That's the thing. I'm pretty sure PA's law is use both lanes to merge. I'm not sure if OH is the same way or not. If not, how am I supposed to know that.

Thanks I guess.

 

That's Bull****.

 

One a brighter note it was good to meet some new faces last night and hang out with some of the original gang as well.

 

I personally agree.
I'm not sure how sympathetic the judges are in that area.

 

If OH laws are anything like PA laws and you only got failure to obey a traffic device, just pay it and forget it ever happened. Those tickets basically mean - give me my money and get the hell out of here. No points.

 

Yeah they are just looking for money to fill their monthly quotas.

 

Well 1.) I need to confirm that there are no points. 2.) Because of my job when filling out our background check you need to list any traffic violations that are > $300. So with it being in a construction zone it will be double what it normally is.

I'd rather not pay the fine. I was screwed. I went over today to take some more notes and pictures. I find it even harder that this was legit.

 

Was it a local or state? If a local, any chance you could call and talk to a Sergeant to get a better understanding?

 

I was going to say... Normally the traffic control devices is a BS ticket, but the fact that it supposedly happened in an active work zone may cause a few problems. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Talk to the cop at the hearing and if he is still a dick, talk to the magistrate and explain that you were following the rules. I think they'll let you off with a minor fine.

 

Yup, i've said that as well.

 

I think he was a state cop. He never identified himself by name or who he worked for (state/local). Not sure if they are supposed to identify themselves.

 

I got out of a 28mph over with 0 points and we were asking for a failure to obey traffic signs.

Just pay and and be done, no points no harm.