How to Avoid an Unsafe Lane Change in California
Start fighting your traffic ticket in under a minute
Every day, California drivers get pulled over and ticketed for unsafe lane change, or 22107 CVC.
This might sound like a relatively minor infraction in the grand scope of what can happen behind the wheel. But there is nothing minor about the fees and fines you have to pay or that point that will go on your license if you don’t get your ticket dismissed!
If you have gotten an unsafe lane change California traffic ticket and need to get it dismissed, read on now to learn how to do this. But by far the best way to proceed is to learn how to avoid an unsafe lane change from the start.
How to Make a Safe Lane Change in California
There are two basic parts to making a safe lane change, according to the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
1. You must wait until it is safe to make a lane change.
This basically means no tailgating to make a lane change, no swerving or cutting someone off to make a lane change, no moving across solid lines or into oncoming traffic to make a lane change – essentially, don’t break any other traffic laws to make a lane change.
2. You must use the correct signal at the proper time before making a lane change.
This means if you want to move into the lane to your right, you must first turn on your right signal blinker, then make sure it is safe and only then make the lane change. If you want to move into the lane to your left, you must first turn on your left signal blinker and then make sure it is safe to change lanes.
The fine for failing to follow these two steps is currently $238. You will also get one point for a moving violation added to your driver license and it will remain there for three years.
What Happens If You Don’t Turn On Your Blinker Before Changing Lanes?
If you don’t turn on your blinker and leave it on for at least 100 feet before beginning to make your lane change, you may also be cited for a violation of 22108 CVC, failure to signal.
A failure to signal ticket can be issued in addition to a failure to change lanes safely ticket. The failure to signal ticket currently costs $238 and one point for a moving violation will go on your driving record.
Other Reasons to Avoid an Unsafe Lane Change in California
In addition to paying out hefty fines, racking up points on your driver license and undergoing mental distress, there is yet another compelling reason to do your utmost to avoid unsafe lane changes in California.
Your insurance rates are likely to go up! California insurers don’t need any extra motivation to keep hiking insurance rates for drivers.
If you fall into any other high risk groups, already have points on your license or were ticketed for additional violations along with an unsafe lane change, you can expect speedy and significant premium increases on your next insurance bill. Rack up too many points and your insurer may drop you altogether.
How to Fight Your Unsafe Lane Change Ticket
Of course, you could just admit you are guilty, pay the penalty, take the point and get on with your life. But if you are still reading we assume this doesn’t sound appealing to you.
1. Go to court yourself and fight the ticket.
The first option is to go to court yourself in hopes the ticketing officer does not show up. Unfortunately, in the strict state of California, on average 90 percent of ticketing officers do show up in court.
Plus, you have to take time away from work and family and go through the hassle and mental stress of coming up with a compelling reason why the presiding judge should dismiss your unsafe lane change ticket.
2. Hire an attorney to go to court for you.
You could also hire a traffic attorney to go to court as “you” and see if the ticketing officer shows up and, if s/he does, talk to the judge on your behalf.
Regardless, this then adds legal fees on top of your already-hefty fines if the attorney is unsuccessful.
3. You could avoid dealing with the ticket and try to forget about it.
We never recommend this option, but it is no secret lots of people do it.
4. You could use Trial By Written Declaration to get your ticket dismissed.
This is the option we recommend. If you turn your citation over, you will see some fine print. This is the Trial By Written Declaration process. The state of California recommends this process for applying to get tickets dismissed.
It is easy, fast and you don’t have to make any phone calls or go to court. When you work with GetDismissed, we craft a compelling legal argument to send in with your court documents so you can get back to your regular daily life without worrying any more over your ticket.
Why Use GetDismissed to Dismiss Your Unsafe Lane Change Ticket?
Here at GetDismissed, our legal team has years of expertise successfully using Trial By Written Declaration to get various types of traffic citations dismissed in the state of California.
Because California is such a strict state for driver rules, points and penalties, it is important to do everything right the first time when using Trial By Written Declaration. Done well, it is a huge time and money saver for you and the court.
All you have to do is upload a photo of your traffic citation, tell us in your own words what happened and wait for us to email you the legal documents to send in to the courthouse. Visit us at www.getdismissed.com to get started.
Steve has been leading the fight against traffic tickets for over 22 years and is the CEO/President of GetDismissed, a service that empowers California drivers with traffic tickets to fight back without going to court. As a thought leader and business entrepreneur, Steve has also been featured on TV, Radio, Print, and Online as a traffic ticket expert talking about such subjects as distracted driving, contesting traffic tickets, traffic ticket myths, traffic ticket tips, traffic law, and more. Steve is a published author, releasing his first book in 2011, and now has four books regarding fighting traffic tickets which can be found on Amazon. Read More…
Follow a manual added link
Photograph your ticket & license.
*If you don’t have your ticket handy, it’s okay — you can still start the process and just add it later!
Follow a manual added link
Provide info through guided questions.
*Be sure to quickly add as many notes about the stop as you can so you don’t leave out any important details!
Follow a manual added link
Sign & send your defense to court.
*We will send you a completed packet for the court that just needs your signature and a stamp!
What Types of Tickets Do We Help With?
GetDismissed produces results in fighting all kinds of tickets. Unfortunately, this list does not include exhibition of speed citations. Your best bet in fighting one of these infractions, is to contact an attorney. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf to try and reduce fines, or even to reduce the charges to a lesser infraction which could possibly qualify for traffic school.
We do however, contest infractions revolving around speeding, red lights, red light cameras, cell phones, signs (primarily stop signs), carpool violations, U-turns, out of lane violations, and commercial violations. If you receive a citation and have questions, contact us today.
