Comments By Left Lane Bandit

God I love this forum..

By law you have to report convictions to your company but to be honest I'm not sure if you have to report the ticket right now or not. I wouldn't think so, but you might have to. If it isn't a law it might be a company policy to report citations where you're working. But whatever is required, make sure you report it to the right people.

49 CFR 383.31 Conviction only - you also have to report it to your home licensing state - within 30 days for both employer/home DMV.

At any rate - if you are PAYING FOR TICKET DEFENSE - situations like this are WHY YOU ARE PAYING FOR TICKET DEFENSE. (as Errol pointed out - it is a payroll DEDUCTION, not a "garnishment").

FIGHT EVERY CITATION - ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE PAYING FOR TICKET DEFENSE SERVICE.

Interstates in many areas (especially urban ones) of 3 or more lanes may have left lane restrictions for trucks. For example - I-95 down by me, from Miami to West Palm is all 4-6 lanes - and is posted NO TRUCKS 3 OR MORE AXLES IN 2 LEFT LANES .

Taking a ride on I-30, using GOOGLE MAPS STREET VIEW (God I do love technology) - EVERY OVERPASS has a sign that says "TRUCKS USE 2 RIGHT LANES" - so if you were in the FAR LEFT LANE - you were popped. And it looks to be THREE LANE all the way through Benton "proper", down to two lanes after you go over the Saline River.

At any rate:

NO - you do NOT have to tell the company or your home state, until you are CONVICTED.

NO - do not "just pay the ticket" - let your ticket defense handle it. At best, they will get it thrown out (officer does a no-show), or reduced to a no-points offense/non-conviction.

If it's thrown out or non-convicted - you don't have to report. "Technically" - CDL holders can't do drivers school or get "adjudication withheld" on tickets - you beat it or eat it. For most jurisdictions - it's about the REVENUE - so many will charge you MORE for the ticket (and call it "court costs") in exchange for dropping it. So - $165, may turn out to be $265 - with no conviction or points. Your ticket defense service (that you PAY FOR) has local attorneys that are used to "wheeling and dealing" in local traffic courts - LET THEM HANDLE IT.

Rick

Thanks Rick.. nice to have someone give some advice Instead of chewing me out for not seeing signs or using the word garnishment instead of deduction.. I appreciate it. Anyway, are you saying that I can utilize the lawyer services without notifying my company? And do u think that will be frowned upon? I honestly don't feel like I did anything wrong, I am a trainee after all, mistakes happen. I can't be the first trainee to do something like this. I just don't want to handle this situation the wrong way and catch heat for that.

Okay so I'm driving through Benton Arkansas tonight on I-30 headed west (4 lanes). I go to pass a guy, and next thing you know I got DOT on me. Wasn't speeding, my logs checked out, everything was legit aside from the fact that I wasn't allowed in the left lane for any reason (this is what the dot officer said). I honestly had no idea I wasn't allowed in that lane and I honestly didn't see a single sign telling me to keep off the left lane, which I told the dot officer and his reply was "they're all over the place". I said okay. (I've already learned when I was younger how much of a mistake it is to argue with a cop, whether they're right or wrong). So I caught a "failure to obey traffic control device" which i saw could carry up to 3 points!!! I could care less about the fine, which is only $165. I'm really worried about the points because I just got my license back from suspension so I'm pretty sure i already have 5 points. (It was originally suspended for a poss w/ int to distribute charge that had nothing to do with a vehicle. In PA they suspend your License for anything that has to do with drugs.) The officer gave me a phone number to call n said maybe they'll work with me.. but it's a courthouse number, I'm pretty sure i already know what they're going to say.. (something along the lines of take a hike). I did however, enroll in a driver-lawyer program during orientation which garnishes my check every week in return for lawyer services just incase a situation like this should arise.

Anyway, could anyone give me some advice what to do? / What to do next? Should I call the court first and hit em with a sob story? Should I tell my company today?(Saturday) or wait until Monday? Or perhaps not mention it at all? (The cop did say that my company won't be notified but I'm sure it's a terrible idea to keep them In the dark)

I just need some guidance from someone who's been there n done that, I've worked too damn hard trying to get where I'm at now just to lose it all on a technicality like this... Please help