Drivers who coast downhill on a highway with their vehicle in neutral may get a ticket under California Vehicle Code Section 21710: Coasting in Neutral. A VC 21710 ticket can lead to hundreds of dollars in fines and a point on your driver’s license.
You can learn more about a VC 21710 ticket with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer. An attorney can also help if the police stop you for coasting and then accuse you of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs.
What Leads to a VC 21710 Ticket?
According to VC 21710, drivers can get a ticket if they travel on a downgrade while on the highway with their car in neutral. This action constitutes coasting down a hill, and California prohibits it.
California Vehicle Code Section 21710: Coasting in Neutral applies to commercial and non-commercial drivers. Drivers can get a VC 21710 ticket even if they only put their car in neutral to conserve gas.
Why do the Police Care About Coasting in Neutral?
California prohibits coasting in neutral because this action makes it harder to take decisive action to avoid an accident. Drivers in neutral cannot react as quickly to sudden changes on the road and cannot brake as effectively.
Therefore, the police give out tickets to drivers they believe are engaged in this activity.
Additionally, if you ended up in an accident that the police believe occurred due to coasting in neutral, you may face additional penalties, especially if the crash damaged another vehicle or injured the other driver.
What Happens if You Get a VC 21710 Ticket?
The legal system in California treats California Vehicle Code Section 21710: Coasting in Neutral as an infraction. Drivers who get a ticket for coasting in neutral typically have to pay a fine. The fine for a VC 21710 violation usually costs a few hundred dollars.
Will a VC 21710 Violation Put a Point on Your Driver’s License?
Unlike many other traffic offenses, VC 21710 violations do not add a point to your driver’s license. Instead, this offense only results in a fine.
However, the police may accuse a driver of other dangerous actions alongside coasting in neutral, like CA Vehicle Code § 23103 Reckless Driving or CA Vehicle Code 23152 (a) – Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
These charges come with far more serious consequences, including time in a county jail, fines, and restrictions on your driving privileges.
Do You Need to Pay Your VC 21710 Ticket?
It’s important that you resolve a VC 21710 ticket. Ignoring the ticket can lead to charges for CA Vehicle Code 40508a – Failure to Appear for a Traffic Ticket. Failure to appear can lead to harsher penalties, including another fine and even incarceration.
However, you do not always have to pay for your ticket. You can reach out to a criminal defense lawyer to review options to push back against a coasting-in-neutral accusation. A lawyer may help you avoid the fine by going through the correct legal process.
How do Lawyers Handle VC 21710 Accusations?
Several defense strategies can help to resolve VC 21710 accusations. An attorney may work to establish that you were not coasting in a downgrade. You should not have to pay a ticket if you had your car in neutral on a level segment of the road or while going uphill.
Your lawyer may also argue that the police mistakenly believed you had your car in neutral. It can prove challenging to determine a car’s gear from outside the vehicle.
Finally, an attorney may establish that you had your car in neutral on private property. The police should only issue a ticket for coasting in neutral if you were on a public roadway. You can reach out to a criminal defense law firm to discuss your options.
What If You Face DUI Charges Along with a VC 21710 Accusation?
You have legal options if the police accuse you of drunk driving after they stop you for coasting in neutral.
Because police officers can only legally stop motorists if they have reasonable cause, they may claim they believed you were coasting down a hill to give themselves a reason to stop your vehicle.
A lawyer may argue that the police had no reason to suspect that you were coasting in neutral or dispute the results of a blood alcohol content (BAC) test after a DUI arrest. It’s essential that you get help fast in this situation due to the harsh results of a DUI conviction.
Speak to an Attorney About VC 21710 Tickets
You can get professional help building a deeper understanding of California Vehicle Code Section 21710: Coasting in Neutral accusations. A lawyer can help with a VC 21710 ticket and potential DUI charges.
Our team can help you find a law firm that can address all your legal concerns. Find out more by calling or completing our online contact form.
