Ask a Cop?: Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle

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—–Original Message—–

From: katie
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 7:32 AM
To: info@coptalk.info
Subject: failure to yield to emergency vehicle?

If a cop already has someone pulled over on the side of the road, and you swerve around them but don’t go completely into the second lane, is that a considered a failure to yield to an emergency vehicle?

I received a ticket last night for this and I don’t feel that I did anything wrong. When the cop was done giving the car he had pulled over a ticket (I’m just guessing he did) he then turned on his lights and I pulled to the side thinking he had to get somewhere. But then I realized he was pulling me over. And gave me a ticket saying I failed to turn completely into the second lane while he was on the side of the road. However I did not fail to yield to him because I swerved around him pulling over the other car, and again pulled off to the side of the road when he pulled me over.

Would you agree that I do or do not deserve a ticket? I usually don’t disagree with cops, but a $178 ticket for failing to yield when I did in fact yield, I even slowed my car down as I went by him (because I always feel extra cautious when driving by a cop) and swerved around them. His arugement is that I did not turn into the second lane on the road. However, I did partially turn into the second lane, it just wasn’t a complete 100% turn into the other lane.

Do I deserve this ticket or can I go to court and fight it?

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ANSWER:

The law is often interpreted differently by different people. If you go to court and say you slowed down and partially changed lanes before passing, it will be your word against the officers. I see people disobey this law quite a bit because they just are not aware of it. If you go to court and say you knew of the law and explain the actions you took the judge may or may not side with you. In the least, if the officer doesn’t show up the citation will be dismissed. Sounds like you feel you did enough while the officer felt you didn’t do enough. If you feel strongly that you didn’t deserve the ticket you should go to court to fight it. Just remain calm, don’t interrupt the officer, and wait for your turn to explain your side. Photos of the scene would be helpful showing your view as you approached the area. With an enlarged photo you’ll be able to show the judge exactly what you did. People with great photos and prepared for their case often have a good chance in court rather than the people who just show up empty handed and say they are innocent.

Here’s the law:

The Law

Vehicle Code 21809.  (a) A person driving a vehicle on a freeway approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, a stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or a stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, shall approach with due caution and, before passing in a lane immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, absent other direction by a peace officer, proceed to do one of the following:

(1) Make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law.

(2) If the maneuver described in paragraph (1) would be unsafe or impracticable, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.

(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).

(c) The requirements of subdivision (a) do not apply if the stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, the stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or the stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights is not adjacent to the freeway or is separated from the freeway by a protective physical barrier.

CopTalk Staff

3 COMMENTS

  1. While driving south near Greensville VA, a police officer was just sitting on the side of the road 95 South. There were no cars next to him, he was just sitting there with his blue lights on. As I approached his vehicle, I slowed down, but did not move to the passing lane like the car in front of me. He pulled me over and gave me a $161.oo ticket for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. It appears that this town is notorious for giving tickets to cars with out of state plates.

    Without driving five hours each way and taking off a day of work, or hiring an attorney for more than the fine, is there any recourse?

  2. Holy cow, this is one way I never tought of. If you pass the emergency vehicle in the same lane you got the ticket. I always thought you let someone else pass as practical as possible for such a ticket. This is a way of saying even if your going slow don’t change lanes too late. Plus when you change lanes you can do it early so long as you at least signal indication (eye contact) for at least 100 feet before the lane change but when it slows down a lot and backs up there should be plenty of time signalling as a forewarning before the decision is made.

  3. Is a police officer giving a ticket on the freeway considered an emergency vehicle Ca. 21809? I received a ticket for not changing lanes and after reading the code several times, I saw nothing about police issuing tickets as a violation.

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