Ticket for 'Driver not yielding to emergency vehicle with signals'

[hyderhari]

Here are my ticket details: I was in going in a 4 way junction and it was green light. I was passing when there was a firetruck that was coming in from my right perpenticular road. By the time I saw the truck lights and heard the siren, I was already crossing the green light. The truck was in a safe distance that I could have easily crossed. If I would have tried to stop, I would have either got hit by the fire truck or the cars behind me. So I used my best judgement and passed the road. A cop came behind me in motorcycle and gave me a ticket for 'Driver not yielding to emergency vehicle with signals' This happened in Maryland. I got a 110$ ticket and 1 point.

I plan to go to court and plead 'not guilty' as it was really not my mistake and I was not willfully violating any law. The moment I saw the firetruck, I crossed the road which was the safest option for all. Please suggest.

 

[disagreeable]

The best choice is not always the legal one.

 

[mightymoose]

It does not have to be willfully for you to get the citation. It seems that the officer felt you should have stopped.
Had you stopped partially in the intersection the fire truck would have gone around you.
Intersections are where the accidents happen. You can never assume it is safe to cross just because you have a green light.
If you fight this in court you might have some luck and you might not. No way to tell unless you try.

 

[army judge]

This is what will lead to your ultimate conviction: "I plan to go to court and plead 'not guilty' as it was really not my mistake and I was not willfully violating any law. The moment I saw the firetruck, I crossed the road which was the safest option for all. Please suggest."

You admit to seeing the emergency vehicle, and rather than yield, as the law requires; you sped up.
If you couldn't stop safely, it'll be argued you were traveling too fast for conditions.

I suggest you consider traffic school, if that's an option.
Otherwise, you're spinning your wheels and wasting your time.
You'll likely be convicted, if you proceed as you believe.