Quote:
Atrocities said:
I was east bound on I-84 in the left lane traveling at the posted speed limit of 65 mph. I had just passed several slower moving vehicles and was approaching two semi trucks that were moving slow in the right lane. I opted to stay in the left lane to cruise by them. Unfortunately an Oregon State Patrol officer pulled me over and sighted me for "slow drive not moving to the right."
When I asked how fast I was going, he didn't know, he just chewed me out for not moving right. I knew how fast I was going because I had my cruise control on set to 65. I asked him what the speed limit was, he said 65. Then I asked him if I was driving 65 then how could I be considered slower traffic? He said it didn't matter, that the left lane is for passing only. The law does not state that, it only states that slower traffic must move right if they are obstructing the "natural flow of traffic" which I was clearly not doing. Given the fact that traffic was especially light, and I was passing traffic at the speed limit, I contend that I was the natural flow of traffic and thus did not need to move right given that I was passing cars on the left. Go figure.. OBTW, it isn't a cheap ticket either.
I am going to fight the ticket. I may not win, because OSP love to lie on the stand.  (And the cops word is considered more believable than ours.)
|
Ugh, good luck. I expected some sort of story how you were having car problems or something, but if you are going the speed limit and passing people who are to the right of you, I don't see what possessed him to pull you over, much less make it stick. However, as you said, if the cop shows up and argues the case he will probably get the benefit of the doubt, not you. Let us know how it turns out. Maybe you will get lucky and he won't show up to court.