I was driving to the Local post office. (I go there many times....on average, 2 times a week, so I am very familar with the area).
It was raining. My headlights were on and so were the taillights (new CA law) Speed Limit is 40mph and I was driving at 30mph (30mph is what it states on the ticket).
I cross the suppossed crosswalk where acc. to the cop, there was a Pedestrain. I never saw anyone on the crosswalk. I saw a cop pulled up behind me but wasnt worried since the Police station is right next to the post office on my way and I thought he was just going to the station. I drive forward about another block on my way to the post office, took a right at the intersection (it was a green light). Drove another half block, stopped at the stop sign and turned left. And now the cop gives me lights and pulls me over (right between the Police station and the Post Office). (he gives me the lights after following me for about 2 minutes)
He told me I failed to yield to a pedestrian who was wearing a yellow jacket. I said that I saw no one there. He took my DL and registration and came back with a ticket. I said "thanks" and went to the post office.
Came back from the post office and was driving back. And this time I saw that pedestrian wearing the yellow jacket standing on the sidewalk (this was 20 minutes later).
Also, I saw another cop giving ticket to some other person 1 block down the road on the way back. Also, there was another cop car in the street on the side right next to the crosswalk waiting for another one failing to yield.
There are no signals on this crosswalk. The crosswalk is right next to a gas station and there is a fire station about 200 ft from the crosswalk. I consider myself a safe driver and honestly, I never saw anyone on the crosswalk.
I think that it was a setup by the cops. what I failed to understand is why did the cop who gave me the ticket followed me for ~2 min before pulling me over.
I am thinking of contesting this ticket.
EDIT:
Also, the cop made a mistake on my ticket. He wrote down the model year as a 03 while my car is a 1996 maxima. Weird that he didnt even copy it down correctly from my registration.
EDIT 2:
Link to the area map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q...4656,-122.156703&spn=0.005947,0.014741
This address if of the Gas station just moments from the intersection.
The crosswalk is at "W 2nd St" and "Military West" junction (No traffic lights).
The cop pulls me on the "E L St" just before "E 3rd St"
It was raining. My headlights were on and so were the taillights (new CA law) Speed Limit is 40mph and I was driving at 30mph (30mph is what it states on the ticket).
I cross the suppossed crosswalk where acc. to the cop, there was a Pedestrain. I never saw anyone on the crosswalk. I saw a cop pulled up behind me but wasnt worried since the Police station is right next to the post office on my way and I thought he was just going to the station. I drive forward about another block on my way to the post office, took a right at the intersection (it was a green light). Drove another half block, stopped at the stop sign and turned left. And now the cop gives me lights and pulls me over (right between the Police station and the Post Office). (he gives me the lights after following me for about 2 minutes)
He told me I failed to yield to a pedestrian who was wearing a yellow jacket. I said that I saw no one there. He took my DL and registration and came back with a ticket. I said "thanks" and went to the post office.
Came back from the post office and was driving back. And this time I saw that pedestrian wearing the yellow jacket standing on the sidewalk (this was 20 minutes later).
Also, I saw another cop giving ticket to some other person 1 block down the road on the way back. Also, there was another cop car in the street on the side right next to the crosswalk waiting for another one failing to yield.
There are no signals on this crosswalk. The crosswalk is right next to a gas station and there is a fire station about 200 ft from the crosswalk. I consider myself a safe driver and honestly, I never saw anyone on the crosswalk.
I think that it was a setup by the cops. what I failed to understand is why did the cop who gave me the ticket followed me for ~2 min before pulling me over.
I am thinking of contesting this ticket.
EDIT:
Also, the cop made a mistake on my ticket. He wrote down the model year as a 03 while my car is a 1996 maxima. Weird that he didnt even copy it down correctly from my registration.
EDIT 2:
Link to the area map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q...4656,-122.156703&spn=0.005947,0.014741
This address if of the Gas station just moments from the intersection.
The crosswalk is at "W 2nd St" and "Military West" junction (No traffic lights).
The cop pulls me on the "E L St" just before "E 3rd St"
I am little annoyed. It was definately a "sting" operation otherwise who would just stand out there in the open in the rain for 20 min ? I saw the pedestrian in a yellow jacket there 20 min later when returning from the post office.
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