Unsafe Lane Change Ticket in Barstow (VC 22107)
Were you cited for making an unsafe lane change in Barstow?
Were you issued a ticket for making an unsafe lane change on Interstate 15 or Interstate 40? Did you receive a citation for failing to use a turn signal while changing lanes in Barstow? You should contact our experienced Barstow traffic lawyers at Wallin & Klarich to discuss fighting your traffic ticket.
Our skilled and knowledgeable Barstow traffic lawyers have been successfully representing clients in traffic matters in Barstow Traffic Court for more than 35 years. Let us help you with your unsafe lane change ticket today. Call our office at (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation regarding your case. We will be there when you call.
What is an Unsafe Lane Change in Barstow? (VC 22107)
Under Vehicle Code Section 22107, it is illegal to “turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement.”
This law clearly states that you are required to use a turn signal before changing lanes or making a turn. If your vehicle does not have a working turn signal, you must use a hand signal to let other people know that you are planning to change lanes.
However, failing to use a turn signal before changing lanes is only one way to violate VC 22107. You could be cited for this traffic violation if you made a lane change without “reasonable safety.” For example, let’s say you were looking down to change the radio station in your car and you realized you were about to miss the Barstow Road exit on I-15. You frantically cut across two lanes to get to the exit. Regardless of whether you had your turn signal on, this could be considered a movement that did not take into account reasonable safety.
Unfortunately, the term “reasonable safety” is not clearly defined under this law. It is up to the discretion of the law enforcement officer to determine if you make a lane change that does not exhibit reasonable safety.
Penalties for making an unsafe lane change in Barstow
The fine for making an unsafe lane change under VC 22107 is $238 in Barstow. This fine may not seem like a significant penalty, but the punishment for this traffic violation is much more severe than a simple base fine. When you factor in court fees and penalty assessments, the total amount you will pay out of pocket could be substantially more than the base fine.
Making an unsafe lane change is a moving violation, so you will be assessed one point on your driving record if you receive a citation for violating this law. The DMV can suspend your driver’s license for six months if you receive:
- 4 points on your driving record within one year
- 6 points within two years, or
- 8 points within three years
Commercial drivers could have their license suspended or revoked for making unsafe lane changes.
In addition to hefty fines and the possible loss of your driving privileges, your auto insurance premiums will likely increase if you receive a point on your driving record for making a moving violation. This means making an unsafe lane change in Barstow could cost you money in many different ways.
However, you may be able to avoid these harsh penalties if you hire an experienced Barstow traffic ticket lawyer to defend you.
Fighting an Unsafe Lane Change Ticket in Barstow Court
If you received a ticket for making an unsafe lane change in Barstow, you should speak to our skilled and knowledgeable Barstow traffic ticket lawyers about fighting the ticket. Many people believe that they have no chance to beat their ticket, but that is simply not true. Our attorneys have been able to successfully defend numerous clients who were issued traffic citations in Barstow.
For tickets involving making unsafe lane changes, our Barstow traffic lawyers have been able to cite People v. Carmona as a winning defense. In this case, the defendant was pulled over and cited by police for failing to use a turn signal before making a turn. The Court of Appeals ruled that the police stop was illegal because the defendant’s turn did not affect any other people. This ruling means that you should not be found guilty for failing to use a turn signal if there were no other vehicles in the immediate vicinity that could have been endangered by your failure to use your turn signal.
There are other valid legal defenses we may be able to use to help you obtain a favorable outcome in your case. Our Barstow traffic ticket attorneys will evaluate the circumstances of your case and determine the best legal defense to use to fight your ticket.
Contact Our Experienced Barstow Traffic Lawyers at Wallin & Klarich
If you have been cited for making an unsafe lane change or failing to use a turn signal in Barstow, you should speak to our experienced Barstow traffic ticket lawyers at Wallin & Klarich. Our law firm has been successfully defending clients who received traffic tickets for violating VC 22107 for more than 35 years. Few attorneys have the experience handling cases in the Barstow Courthouse that our firm has.
Wallin & Klarich, A Law Corporation
400 S. 2nd Ave.
Barstow, CA 92311
Contact our office today at (877) 466-5245 so we can help you fight your unsafe lane change ticket. We will be there when you call.
