I was on the 280S freeway around 3:45pm. Traffic was moving smoothly until it came to a screeching stop. I swerved into the carpool lane to avoid hitting the guy in front of me, and I drove about 200ft in carpool. Up ahead, I saw a CHP vehicle parked on the side, So I jammed my self back into traffic. Unfortunately it was too late, and I got slammed with a ticket!

Anyone have any experiences with getting a ticket in carpool? What should I do? Pay the ticket, get an attorney to fight it for me, or contest it myself?

 

I don't think you can fight the carpool ticket. Just pay the fine.

 

Ouch! That's a tough break. Depending on what your time is worth to you, you may probably be better off by simply paying the fine.

 

Ouch, didn't they recently jack the price of HOV lane tickets? feel for you.

 

I think the only thing you can do is attest it in court, saying that you were forced over there, and then got back into the lane at a safe time. That itself I don't think will get you off. But there is always the chance the cop won't show up, then the ticket gets thrown away.

 

You may want to fight it if possible. Not only would you need to pay for the ticket, tha's a point on your record.

 

how much is the fine?

 

The only thing about fighting it would be that if you say you had to swerve and ended up in the carpool lane, the jusge would ask you why you were following so close or say you were already going too fast.

Good luck

 

Not true, getting a ticket in the HOV lane is not a considered a moving violation it's a civil penalty (CHP officer told me this)

I got one about a year ago becuase I was in the same scenario as the OP. I went to court to tell the judge what happened and brought the fine down to $108. I see Chippie is in here now so he should be able to clear everything up.

 

*waiting for g35 chippie's response*

 

Hmm...perhaps.

Regardless, I'm confident he'll give his input on this matter sooner or later.

He probably just wants to wait for a few more people to pitch in with the ol' "You should contest it, maybe the officer won't show up and it'll get tossed out of court" response so he can get a few laughs, then enlighten us.

 

Don't even think about starting a sticky called "Sticky for the Chippie" or something like that where I give advice on laws. Anyhoooo....Carpool is not a moving violation. No point. No traffic school or wasted Saturday. Everytime you get caught, the fine doubles (I just went to court on this, guy was hoping I didn't show 'cause it was his third time being caught in the carpool lane and he wasn't wearing his seatbelt). That being said, if you go to court and lose, no change. You still pay the fine. It's not like you gave up traffic school cause you plead not guilty and lost. That's why people that hold commercial driver's licenses always take us to court. They can't go to traffic school so the end result is the same if they lose in court. Regarding your scenario, what bothers me most is the position you put yourself in. You need to increase your following distance or drive at a speed that is appropriate for the existing traffic conditions so that you don't have to swerve into the carpool lane to avoid rearending someone (which you would be at fault for). I'm not trying to be a dick, just imparting a little wisdom. I'm not going to tell you how to argue the ticket in court. Just be creative but honest. Times, speeds, distances, things like that.

 

G35 chippie, Thanks for dropping some knowledge on my a$$. I appreciate your feedback