Would you call this a left lane violation

ShagNasty359 · Jul 27, 2018

Boyohboy said: ↑

Good day all iam more of a reader then poster here, but had an interesting run in with ga dot today and want some opinions. Background am a 5yr safe cdl driver and 10 year safe military cdl driver.

I was traveling EB 20 though atl today right though the middle of downtown. Though here I20 is 5 lanes including an hov lane being number 5. The hov lane is only marked by a double white line. There are signs all over stating no trucks over 6wheels in 2 left lanes.

I was at the time traveling in the 3rd lane from shoulder leaving 2 left hand lanes still open. Dot pulled me over and basically gave me a lane restricted ticket vs a warning and a lesson lol. He told me although the HOV lane is only separated by the solid white line it is not part of the interstate. So he said it is treated as a 4 lane interstate not a 5 lane. The am not stupid just confused. From the rd it looks 5 lane with an hov lane. How am i supposed too know that ga doesnt count that lane when there is only a solid line. So you say that i believed that by the sign trucks where only restricted too the left 2 lanes and not the 3 others.

What do you all think.
Thank you and safe travels

I think it's a darn good argument. To be found guilty takes unadulterated proof. You bring up perfectly good reasonable doubt. And reasonable doubt is exactly what finds men innocent.
Between you and I though, you been driving long enough. You know you aren't supposed to be in a 3rd lane from right. You thought beforehand there's enough reasonable doubt to get you out of any citation. It's time to find out.
For the record I think you should be found not guilty and your argument is valid. If you fight it (and I hope you do) come back here and update on the outcome.
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Boyohboy · Jul 27, 2018

Shagnasty359
I do plan on attending court on sept 6th . Too atleast be able too say my arguement on the situation. It is atleast a chance cause it cant get worse then just pleading guilty on the ticket.

06driver · Jul 27, 2018

Boyohboy said: ↑

Shagnasty359
I do plan on attending court on sept 6th . Too atleast be able too say my arguement on the situation. It is atleast a chance cause it cant get worse then just pleading guilty on the ticket.
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Except the added court costs. Cobb County last I heard was about $350.

I get what he is saying about an argument. But that argument basically boils down to "I did not know that lane did not count".

Ignorance of the law is not a defense.

Boyohboy · Jul 27, 2018

Is it really ignorance of the whole law not just the common side of the law. Every state seems too treat an uncontrollable HOV different as in the lane count. According too the subsection in ga law for trucks on mutilane hwys it states sinage overalls the common truck in right lanes law. Signage only states no trucks in left 2 lanes. I already know trucks not allowed in hov lane but being uncontrolled access how does one know that the lane is not counted. Am not the only driver that seems too not know as its common for cmvs in that lane as it allows free moving from on and off ramps though Atlanta downtown area. My only ignorance is not knowing the hov is considered not part of said interstate

06driver · Jul 27, 2018

I get that. If you want make your case but be prepared for the additional costs when you lose.

Ridgeline · Jul 27, 2018

Boyohboy said: ↑

Is it really ignorance of the whole law not just the common side of the law. Every state seems too treat an uncontrollable HOV different as in the lane count. According too the subsection in ga law for trucks on mutilane hwys it states sinage overalls the common truck in right lanes law. Signage only states no trucks in left 2 lanes. I already know trucks not allowed in hov lane but being uncontrolled access how does one know that the lane is not counted. Am not the only driver that seems too not know as its common for cmvs in that lane as it allows free moving from on and off ramps though Atlanta downtown area. My only ignorance is not knowing the hov is considered not part of said interstate
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It is clear, multi-lane highway with three or more lanes - all trucks USE the right two lanes except when there is a situation dictating the use of another lane or if you are exiting on the left.

This is the law in Georgia and much as it is in most states.

I had a driver fight two tickets, one from Atlanta cops and the other from Georgia state cops and with a lawyer there he still had to pay for it and was told by the judge what I just posted above.

Here in Michigan it is a law and they do ticket trucks for it, however they usually post it because we have a bunch of foreigners running the roads and don't understand basic laws like speed limits. Every morning if I am driving down I-96 going home, there is always a truck or a few in the left center (number 2) lane and they are sitting there doing 60 while everyone is speeding around them.

tscottme · Jul 27, 2018

Boyohboy said: ↑

Good day all iam more of a reader then poster here, but had an interesting run in with ga dot today and want some opinions. Background am a 5yr safe cdl driver and 10 year safe military cdl driver.

I was traveling EB 20 though atl today right though the middle of downtown. Though here I20 is 5 lanes including an hov lane being number 5. The hov lane is only marked by a double white line. There are signs all over stating no trucks over 6wheels in 2 left lanes.

I was at the time traveling in the 3rd lane from shoulder leaving 2 left hand lanes still open. Dot pulled me over and basically gave me a lane restricted ticket vs a warning and a lesson lol. He told me although the HOV lane is only separated by the solid white line it is not part of the interstate. So he said it is treated as a 4 lane interstate not a 5 lane. The am not stupid just confused. From the rd it looks 5 lane with an hov lane. How am i supposed too know that ga doesnt count that lane when there is only a solid line. So you say that i believed that by the sign trucks where only restricted too the left 2 lanes and not the 3 others.

What do you all think.
Thank you and safe travels
Click to expand...

I would have gotten a ticket also. He should give you a ticket for Failure to Read Minds.

Boyohboy · Jul 27, 2018

I agree and this is where the confusion comes in. The ga does state trucks use 2 right lanes but in sub section d the same law says signage will over write the law as dictated. In this case the sign just said left 2 lanes. Most states and areas have signs saying trucks stay in right 2 lanes or no trucks in left 3 lanes. Its a misinterpretation of the law. Iam not trying argue if am right or wrong just the confusion on the law and the signage and what dictates the HOV lane is not part of the lane count when its uncontrolled.

To me its an interesting situation that can go a couple ways. Each way is in the eye of the beholder at the time based on law and signage. I posted for opinions from other professionals and also maybe let my situation be a lesson too all

deathB4decaf · Jul 27, 2018

Learned another thing today! During our next meeting I'm adding in the reminder that trucks are to use the furthest 2 right lanes no matter what. Better safe than sorry.

06driver · Jul 27, 2018

Boyohboy said: ↑

I agree and this is where the confusion comes in. The ga does state trucks use 2 right lanes but in sub section d the same law says signage will over write the law as dictated. In this case the sign just said left 2 lanes. Most states and areas have signs saying trucks stay in right 2 lanes or no trucks in left 3 lanes. Its a misinterpretation of the law. Iam not trying argue if am right or wrong just the confusion on the law and the signage and what dictates the HOV lane is not part of the lane count when its uncontrolled.

To me its an interesting situation that can go a couple ways. Each way is in the eye of the beholder at the time based on law and signage. I posted for opinions from other professionals and also maybe let my situation be a lesson too all
Click to expand...

Ah I see your confusion now. The HOV lane is controlled. There are only certain segments where entry and exit of lane are allowed.

That is why there are double white lines and then sporadic white dashes. Yeah I know no one pays attention, but that qualifies as controlled access.

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