06-21-2003, 07:17 AM
But common sense shows what you did wrong. I'm (almost) surprised you don't know.
You were making a left-hand turn. You did NOT have the right of way. You cut that lady off, which is a crime in itself. You accelerated rapidly, which creates a hazardous driving environment. That is called "aggresive driving", or something to that effect, and that is also illegal. The fact that the lady waved you along, and then instead started driving (which may be because you did not move fast enough for her, and so she thought you were letting her go; either that, or she's just rude and/or moronic) does not excuse you from the blame you received. It still places the burden on YOU. Doubly so because it's a left-hand turn being initiated by you.
You got the punishment the law required. You're very lucky you did not get any further punishment, as the cop said. You're ALSO lucky you used your turn signal, otherwise she probably would have revoked your license for a period, and/or sentenced you to a driver's education class. Frankly, you could probably use a review, no offense, if you didn't understand just what you did wrong. Let me put it to you this way: had you hit her, you would have gotten in trouble. That she waved you on, and then ended up driving on anyway, has nothing to do with who would have caused the accident. By the very nature of the situation (she's moving forward, you're turning left, thereby crossing her path), she had the right of way and you did not. That means that you have to yeild to her REGARDLESS. You did not, hence why you got at least one ticket (I don't know the reasons behind each ticket; I can guess, but only you know why, as it should state on the ticket, if memory serves). That you did not hit her only HELPED your case, because if you had, you most DEFINITELY would have had your license revoked, and almost as definitely been sentenced to a driver's education course, and potentially community service as punishment.
Be furious all you want. You have every right to be mad at the lady who waved you on, if and only if she did not wait a significant length of time for you to turn before moving forward herself. Regardless, the rest (if not all) of your anger can only fall squarely on your shoulders. IF your father manages to get you off, I will, at least in part, be disappointed, because not only will you have not been punished for your wrongdoings, and not only will you miss the very important lesson that you're supposed to get out of all this (hence the whjole point behind punishment), but it will set a bad precedent for the future: when I get in trouble, daddy will fix it. Sorry, but I hate that. Always have, and always will.
I'm sure you'll be mad at ME too now, but it will be for naught. Read what I wrote, and at least attempt to derive from it the reasons behind your punishment. You asked a question, and I gave the answer, even if you don't like it or agree with it.
Quote:I start to turn left, but when I'm in the midst of turning, she starts to move her car. Since I'm in the middle of the lane, I hit on the gas real quick so she doesn't hit me....
You were making a left-hand turn. You did NOT have the right of way. You cut that lady off, which is a crime in itself. You accelerated rapidly, which creates a hazardous driving environment. That is called "aggresive driving", or something to that effect, and that is also illegal. The fact that the lady waved you along, and then instead started driving (which may be because you did not move fast enough for her, and so she thought you were letting her go; either that, or she's just rude and/or moronic) does not excuse you from the blame you received. It still places the burden on YOU. Doubly so because it's a left-hand turn being initiated by you.
You got the punishment the law required. You're very lucky you did not get any further punishment, as the cop said. You're ALSO lucky you used your turn signal, otherwise she probably would have revoked your license for a period, and/or sentenced you to a driver's education class. Frankly, you could probably use a review, no offense, if you didn't understand just what you did wrong. Let me put it to you this way: had you hit her, you would have gotten in trouble. That she waved you on, and then ended up driving on anyway, has nothing to do with who would have caused the accident. By the very nature of the situation (she's moving forward, you're turning left, thereby crossing her path), she had the right of way and you did not. That means that you have to yeild to her REGARDLESS. You did not, hence why you got at least one ticket (I don't know the reasons behind each ticket; I can guess, but only you know why, as it should state on the ticket, if memory serves). That you did not hit her only HELPED your case, because if you had, you most DEFINITELY would have had your license revoked, and almost as definitely been sentenced to a driver's education course, and potentially community service as punishment.
Be furious all you want. You have every right to be mad at the lady who waved you on, if and only if she did not wait a significant length of time for you to turn before moving forward herself. Regardless, the rest (if not all) of your anger can only fall squarely on your shoulders. IF your father manages to get you off, I will, at least in part, be disappointed, because not only will you have not been punished for your wrongdoings, and not only will you miss the very important lesson that you're supposed to get out of all this (hence the whjole point behind punishment), but it will set a bad precedent for the future: when I get in trouble, daddy will fix it. Sorry, but I hate that. Always have, and always will.
I'm sure you'll be mad at ME too now, but it will be for naught. Read what I wrote, and at least attempt to derive from it the reasons behind your punishment. You asked a question, and I gave the answer, even if you don't like it or agree with it.
Roland *The Gunslinger*