Red light roll through due to mechanical problems.

[scarface12999]

Hello,

To whom the advice is given, I recieved a ticket recently. I was having mechanical problems with my work truck. My truck was not giving me the power to move much. I had to roll through a redlight off of a highway exit. The reason why I had to do it, was so I did not block up the exit with my 15ft truck and the 18ft enclosed trailer I was pulling. I knew I shouldnt have, but it was either breakdown there or keep it moving and not loose momentum till I can pull over in a safe place. Before i was able to pull over, I recieved power from the engine again and decided to keep going because my office was not but 3 more blocks up the road. Then a highway patrolman pulled up next to me at red light and said for me to pull over. It was obviously hard for me to pull over which he saw behind me due to my engine problems. I tried to explain to him my rpm problem, but he wasnt hearing it. I felt like I was being treating like a profound liar. He wouldnt even give me the chance to show him my engine problem. So he decided to hit me with two expensive tickets. Now, he obvoisly saw I was having engine problems, but couldnt care less. I understand rolling through the redlight was wrong, but if I didnt do it, I wouldve plugged up the off ramp. Should I take this ticket to court or should I just fall on the grenade and pay the fine?

 

[tpajet]

You could take it to court, and if nothing else, they might lower the penalties. You have to look at this from the officer's standpoint. You went through a light saying you had engine trouble, but your truck was able to drive on. So from what he could see, likely story. However, I do have to ask one thing. When did the mechanical problem start? Had you been driving with it like this for a while, or did it just start? In other words, should you have maybe pulled over somewhere before this point? Also, could you have shifted into neutral, and revved the engine a bit to keep it going?

I would say that unless you don't have the time, then go ahead and take it to court and just explain your side.

 

[scarface12999]

reply

It started that day 5 exits before i got off the highway. The problem with the engine was that when i gave it gas, the rpm meter would jump but no power would go to the wheels. So i had to attempt to keep it going till I got to the office. these are trying times and i cannot afford to get a tow truck. So I made a concious decision to roll through the light, because if I didnt, then i wouldve plugged up the exit or possible worse cause a crash. I know how it may look, but it is not the case. Plus the office was a real ass and purely looked at me like a dollar sign. I have a court date coming in Oct. Any recommendations on what i should do?