Most drivers understand that stopping a vehicle on a highway is dangerous for any reason other than an emergency. A non-emergency stop on freeway I-5 or others can produce an eye-opening experience. It is common for someone to be fined for a non-emergency stop on freeway system. It's also true that many of these citations are unearned, and can be fought with a traffic ticket attorney's help.
A Non-Emergency Stop on Freeway I-5 is Illegal?
Countless people have been surprised by being issued an expensive stopped vehicle ticket on freeways like Interstate 5 (I-5). The feeling is very unpleasant. A person can pull to the shoulder to take care of an issue, and moments later a host of flashing police lights pull behind or surrounds them. The scene is embarrassing and will likely be costly.
It seems perfectly reasonable to drivers to be able to pull over and turn on their hazard lights to address anything. This ranges from making phone calls to disciplining kids. The problem is that people are unaware of the legally defined differences between emergency and non-emergency stops on a freeway. On a busy highway, doing anything other than driving can be considered an obstruction. It is very difficult for thousands of other drivers to safely negotiate a roadway when another driver is impeding progress for any reason.
If a driver is stopped on a California highway for any reason, emergency and police personnel must assume that something is wrong. If it turns out that no emergency is taking place, the consequences can be quite high.
California Law
According to California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21718, Additional Driving Rule “No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle upon a freeway…” for any reason other than an emergency. Emergencies can be classified in many ways. They encompass issues of health to a driver and passengers, or severely improper functioning of a vehicle that can cause potential harm to others and their property.
Emergencies can also be situational. This includes being stopped and directed by road crews, police, and paramedics. Stopping is also justified when reporting an accident as a witness to police, or lending assistance in a dangerous situation.
Because there is the potential for interpretation of what an emergency entails, it is possible to fight a fine in court. No two drivers are alike and sometimes must make a moment's decision to stop a vehicle on a freeway. In large part, however, people stop because they are unaware of the law. If you know the law, choose to make a difficult decision in traffic, and are still issued a ticket, it is your right to fight it.
The expensive way to take care of a citation for a non-emergency stop on a freeway is to accept the fine and other penalties. However, there is another solution. No matter what the circumstances or why you stopped on the freeway, it is wise to seek legal counsel. A free phone consultation from attorneys like Bigger & Harman in Bakersfield, CA will provide you with options and likely scenarios if you choose to fight the violation in court.
Pay the Fine or Go to Court
The fine for a non-emergency stop on freeway I-5 or any CA freeway is currently around $230-$240 depending on the county. If you are convicted, it can also cost more than $1,000 in increased insurance premiums and levied penalties.
Don't decide until you speak to a traffic ticket attorney. Bigger & Harman in Central Valley offers a FREE phone consultation, 661-349-9300. When you require the services of a traffic ticket attorney or are considering pleading not guilty and fighting your ticket in traffic court in Bakersfield, Santa Clarita, Bridgeport, Mammoth, Shafter, Lamont, or other Central Valley courts, as well as some in LA, San Bernardino, or Riverside, before you just pay a ticket, call a knowledgeable traffic ticket lawyer. Call Bigger & Harman today, or email: attorney@markbigger.com.
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En español, llame al 661-349-9755.