[memfrozenory]

Hey All,

First of all, happy new year.
Hope you all had a nice time.

Me, on the other hand, didn't had a smooth year at all :(
I wish to gain some help from you guys, if possible, and I thank you for the time in advance.

I'm a new driver (N), and it is my first time driving to Richmond for count down with my friend.
On my way back, 1:30AM, I was on Westminster HWY just before entering the merge onto HWY 99 South.
I'm heading back to White Rock.

Got pulled over by police.
I totally blanked out and was basically nodding and just do w/e the officer wanted.
And was rewarded a new year gift of 2 violation tickets:

1. Fail to dim headlamps ($81)
2. Drive contrary to restriction ($109)

In my defense, I'm a new driver, there was 1 car ahead of me, and is at least 150m away from my point of view. Since I'm a new driver, I wanted to see more clearly ahead so I don't go on the wrong lane or hwy. Hence, the highbeam.

Now, I am guilty that I forgot my N sign x.x

Sigh.

Should I dispute about it?

Please let me know, thanks!


A.

[JudyKayTee]

1. Fail to dim headlamps ($81)
2. Drive contrary to restriction ($109)

In my defense, I'm a new driver, there was 1 car ahead of me, and is at least 150m away from my point of view. Since I'm a new driver, I wanted to see more clearly ahead so I don't go on the wrong lane or hwy. Hence, the highbeam.

Now, I am guilty that I forgot my N sign x.x

Sigh.

Should I dispute about it?

The law states you have to dim your headlights. It appears you didn't. It's not "dim your headlights unless ..." Being a new driver is no excuse.

What is the ticket for driving contrary to restriction about?

I see no point in fighting #1 - unless for some reason you can convince a Judge that the Police Officer was "picking" on you.

[Fr_Chuck]

What are you going to dispute? You are guilty ,you just admitted it. Being a new driver is no defense, in fact you have just studied the rules and should know them better than anyone.

What was the restriction violatoin for ?

[memfrozenory]

Hi All, thanks.. I guess I can't say anything about I turned the beam on because I wanted to see clearly ahead?

Restriction is that I must have my N sign displayed..

[JudyKayTee]

No, the law doesn't say "no high beams unless you want to see ahead."

YOU could see. The guy ahead of you was blinded by your headlights.

[memfrozenory]

Hm, agree..

All right, thank you all.. I will be paying soon..

[Fr_Chuck]

Yes you are to turn them down, so you don't blind on coming drivers. Wanting to see better is not an excuse it is a confession.

[ScottGem]

Its not the driver ahead of you that may have been the issue. But if you could see the taillights of the driver ahead of you, then you should have immediately dimmed.

But while your brights were on, did any cars go in the opposite direction? Could be that's why you were ticketed. Either way, if you are within site of another driver in either direction, the law requires that you dim.

What is an "N" sign? Is that something Virginia requires of drivers during their breaking period? Never heard of that. But if you were required to display it, then it should have been.

However, what I would do is go court at the indicated time and place, if possible. Generally, you can plea bargain tickets down to a lower fine and/or less affect on your license. Can't hurt.

[memfrozenory]

Yes I think I will dispute.
Reason being I found I could be fined less.

I didn't display my N

He fined me on
Motor Vehicle Act 25(15)

Where it could've been
Motor Vehicle Act Regulation 30(13)

It is a 3 penalty point difference.

If someone could tell me a difference it'd be great..

[ScottGem]

Laws sometimes overlap. Seems the case here.