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irishsmilez · Feb 5, 2012, 12:54 PM

Had an eye injection with steroid earlier in the day. Have OHS but hadn't had problem with vision before when driving. Night was rainy, and lights glared, depth perception problems without realization. Would you believe I pulled out in front of the city police thinking the right lane was open. DUH! Court day Tuesday. Should I go to explain or would it just cause a bigger problem?

tickle · Feb 5, 2012, 01:04 PM

Why would you think you could fight a failure to yield IN FRONT OF A POLICE CAR yet? They will probably ask why you were driving with impaired vision and that would probably lead to another citation! No, best to let sleeping dogs lie on this one, Irish.

irishsmilez · Feb 5, 2012, 01:23 PM

Thank you. I felt that was true but had an instructor for traffic violations say to go for the sake of insurance and no tickets for 30 plus years. I will go pay the ticket tomorrow, put it behind me and move forward. Blessings to you for your time and insight!

Fr_Chuck · Feb 5, 2012, 02:07 PM

You can only fight it , if you were not guilty, ( and expect to win) If you want to try and use the fact that your medical condition made you "unfit" and "dangerous" to drive, is not a real defense.

smearcase · Feb 5, 2012, 02:40 PM

I have gone to traffic court 3 times over 50 years of driving and have never regretted it. One judge announced to all those present for trial (40 people or so), before calling the first one, something like-- you can plead guilty and receive 1/2 the fine and 1/2 the points, or stand trial-and he hinted that some of the offenses could carry a $ 500 fine if found guilty. The room cleared out rather quickly.
If I had no tickets for 30 years, I would definitely go to court in the juridiction that I live in (if I could leave discussion about my eyes out of it).
I can't say whether the eye situation caused you to pull out in front of the officer or if road conditions and glare, etc (or preoccupation) caused you to miss seeing the officer's vehicle.
If you are certain that the condition of your eyes caused the problem, or if you told the officer something about your eyes when you were stopped--pay the fine as you propose and see your eye Dr.
If it was me and I could honestly say that weather was the main cause, I would go to court and stand on my 30 yr. record. One thing is pretty certain, if you don't go-- the 30 yr. record will be gone.

irishsmilez · Feb 5, 2012, 03:00 PM

WOW! Great answers and do I or don't I go? Yes,I am guilty of pulling out. No accident. Cop said it was good he had quick reflexes. I said"yes sir". Nothing about eye condition. The glare was a factor to me but doesn't change the outcome. If I go,plead guilty and explain the glare, then what happens? Am I responsible for court costs in addition to the fine? Can't even find out how much other than 100 plus. Thanks for input.

smearcase · Feb 5, 2012, 03:20 PM

I am no expert on courts or court costs but I think it is pretty certain that some will be assessed. The court clerk's office might shed some light on that.

JudyKayTee · Feb 5, 2012, 05:04 PM

Do "we" know where this is? In NY the Court LOVES to reduce the charges and then the Town/City gets to charge a surcharge which is more than the fine.

Court costs for traffic court? No. Not in my area. Court costs would prevent people from protesting tickets.

Would I get up and say that I was unable to see either because of a medical procedure or because of the glare? No, because the logical next question is, "Should you be driving if you exercise bad judgment or can't see?"

I would say, "Guilty," keep my explanations to myself and leave it at, "Sorry, I didn't see you."

I'm a liability investigator - you have NO idea how many people attempt to defend themselves with, "I've been driving for X years with no accidents and no tickets." It is NOT a defense - to an accident or a ticket.

Fr_Chuck · Feb 5, 2012, 06:41 PM

In TN, the name of the city and state is in the title of the question.

I know that little town, ( and for Gods name do not be from out of town or state and one mile over the speed limit there. You have nothing to lose going to court, the fine is not going to be higher, But it is doubtful it will help either. But if you have the time to take off, if you have never been to court before, it is worth the time for education if nothing else.

JudyKayTee · Feb 6, 2012, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

In TN, the name of the city and state is in the title of the question.

I know that little town, ( and for Gods name do not be from out of town or state and one mile over the speed limit there. You have nothing to lose going to court, the fine is not going to be higher, But it is doubtful it will help either. But if you have the time to take off, if you have never been to court before, it is worth the time for education if nothing else.

Hmm - never saw it.

Thanks for the "catch."