First, I realize that people on here will be angry with me. If you want to post hate, go for it. My intent is just to get advice. I will make the effort to sort through the anger for informative responses and will not be antagonistic in the slightest. I understand that I made a very foolish decision. I will not blame it on the stress that Virginia Roads place on drivers, or more specifically, that aggressive drivers place on other drivers. To avoid this stress, you begin driving differently; driving perhaps not as fast, but quite aggressively to make up for the mistakes of other drivers. However, I feel that it is a direct result. In the past, instead of dealing with this stress, I attempted it to circumvent it, and the end result is what you read here.
About 2 months ago, I received a reckless driving charge for driving 54 in a 35. It was inexcusable, and I pleased no contest. The road is frequented by many speeders, and I was driving normally as if they were there. This was a grievous abuse of my driving privileges, and like I said, I pleaded no contest to the charges.
When I appeared in court, I apologized for my actions after pleading guilty, and the judge gave me permission to take a driver improvement course in lieu of keeping the charges I have turned in my Certificate, and this Monday, May 24th, she said that she would dismiss the case.
Last night, I had a hectic class from 6pm-~10pm, and I was on my way home. I was definitely driving at a ?safe speed.? I was traveling at 51mph in a 45mph zone as was traffic. Of course there were those that were speeding, but because of my previous ticket, I was calmer, and never followed.
I was traveling in the right lane of a two lane road next to a white mid 90s Toyota Camry who was in the left lane. My hood was at about their car door, a green car in front of me sort of pulled away. For perhaps a mile or more, the gap between the green car in front of me and distance that it was from the Toyota in the other lane changed slowly, and I was essentially "boxed in.". Finally, as I saw a gap large enough to turn into, I put on my turn signal, proceeded to accelerate so my car would be in position to slide into the left lane. And as I was then traveling at the same speed as the other two cars, I made the quick lane change, and once I was in their lane I accelerated. After traveling about 100ft or so in the left lane, I was checking my rear view mirror, and noticed that the Toyota Camry had lost control, and after hitting the center grass median, it headed for the side of the road and I saw the front tires jump onto the curb. I was still driving, so I had to look ahead, and did not witness the rest. I found a turn lane, turned into it and stopped my vehicle. I then rushed to see what had happened.
Some witnesses who had stopped and one that almost got hit told me that I had ?cut them off? I finally got to the occupants, and they were already out walking around. I asked them if they were alright.
There are more details that I would rather not say as they only serve to reinforce my credibility concerning the truthfulness of this, and serve no other informational use.
All parties, including myself were extremely polite during the entire incident. The police showed up and I was politely to get my registration. I left for my car, and apparently left everyone speaking to the officer. I had forgotten to get my insurance info, so I had to go back to the car, giving everyone else further time with the police officer. When I got back, the PO took my info, and notified me that based on what she had heard, and even in light of the fact that there had been no contact between vehicles, I was going to be cited for ?reckless driving.?
Unfortunately, I can barely afford to pay even the damages to their car as parts such as the rims and an axle were broken, much less a lawyer ($750)
As for what I will say in court, I have thought about it from a variety of avenues. I thought about pleading guilty. I thought about contesting it. I am requesting advice.
1. The first thing I will do is apologize. I am very sorry for my actions regardless of what the judge says and decrees. My actions almost cost people their lives, and I will never forget it, and have no choice but to stay calm, stay legal or not drive at all.
2. Although my actions were quick, I felt that they were precise, and I did not feel that I was putting anyone in danger. I am not attempting to be inconsiderate or save my own ass by saying this. At no time did I feel that I was putting anyone in danger. That is the truth, however incorrect it may be viewed from other?s eyes.
3. The fact that the car was just starting to spin out after I was quite a distance away suggests that perhaps I startled the drivers, or that they were not paying a great deal of attention to the road. I am by no means attempting to pass blame. I am merely attempting to explain why they spun out after I had already passed.
I live in No. VA.
Comments are appreciated.
About 2 months ago, I received a reckless driving charge for driving 54 in a 35. It was inexcusable, and I pleased no contest. The road is frequented by many speeders, and I was driving normally as if they were there. This was a grievous abuse of my driving privileges, and like I said, I pleaded no contest to the charges.
When I appeared in court, I apologized for my actions after pleading guilty, and the judge gave me permission to take a driver improvement course in lieu of keeping the charges I have turned in my Certificate, and this Monday, May 24th, she said that she would dismiss the case.
Last night, I had a hectic class from 6pm-~10pm, and I was on my way home. I was definitely driving at a ?safe speed.? I was traveling at 51mph in a 45mph zone as was traffic. Of course there were those that were speeding, but because of my previous ticket, I was calmer, and never followed.
I was traveling in the right lane of a two lane road next to a white mid 90s Toyota Camry who was in the left lane. My hood was at about their car door, a green car in front of me sort of pulled away. For perhaps a mile or more, the gap between the green car in front of me and distance that it was from the Toyota in the other lane changed slowly, and I was essentially "boxed in.". Finally, as I saw a gap large enough to turn into, I put on my turn signal, proceeded to accelerate so my car would be in position to slide into the left lane. And as I was then traveling at the same speed as the other two cars, I made the quick lane change, and once I was in their lane I accelerated. After traveling about 100ft or so in the left lane, I was checking my rear view mirror, and noticed that the Toyota Camry had lost control, and after hitting the center grass median, it headed for the side of the road and I saw the front tires jump onto the curb. I was still driving, so I had to look ahead, and did not witness the rest. I found a turn lane, turned into it and stopped my vehicle. I then rushed to see what had happened.
Some witnesses who had stopped and one that almost got hit told me that I had ?cut them off? I finally got to the occupants, and they were already out walking around. I asked them if they were alright.
There are more details that I would rather not say as they only serve to reinforce my credibility concerning the truthfulness of this, and serve no other informational use.
All parties, including myself were extremely polite during the entire incident. The police showed up and I was politely to get my registration. I left for my car, and apparently left everyone speaking to the officer. I had forgotten to get my insurance info, so I had to go back to the car, giving everyone else further time with the police officer. When I got back, the PO took my info, and notified me that based on what she had heard, and even in light of the fact that there had been no contact between vehicles, I was going to be cited for ?reckless driving.?
Unfortunately, I can barely afford to pay even the damages to their car as parts such as the rims and an axle were broken, much less a lawyer ($750)
As for what I will say in court, I have thought about it from a variety of avenues. I thought about pleading guilty. I thought about contesting it. I am requesting advice.
1. The first thing I will do is apologize. I am very sorry for my actions regardless of what the judge says and decrees. My actions almost cost people their lives, and I will never forget it, and have no choice but to stay calm, stay legal or not drive at all.
2. Although my actions were quick, I felt that they were precise, and I did not feel that I was putting anyone in danger. I am not attempting to be inconsiderate or save my own ass by saying this. At no time did I feel that I was putting anyone in danger. That is the truth, however incorrect it may be viewed from other?s eyes.
3. The fact that the car was just starting to spin out after I was quite a distance away suggests that perhaps I startled the drivers, or that they were not paying a great deal of attention to the road. I am by no means attempting to pass blame. I am merely attempting to explain why they spun out after I had already passed.
I live in No. VA.
Comments are appreciated.
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