The police can issue a ticket under CA Vehicle Code 22107 – Unsafe Lane Сhange if they accuse you of changing lanes in an unsafe way. The police may claim that you changed lanes without signalling your intent beforehand or at an unsafe time.
Typically, VC 22107 violations will result in fines. You can learn more about unsafe lane change regulations and other California Penal Codes with a team of legal professionals who can help you deal with a traffic ticket. Contact Los Angeles DUI Lawyer today to get assistance from a legal resource with decades of experience.
Learn More About CA Vehicle Code 22107
California Vehicle Code 22107 – Unsafe Lane Сhange governs lane changes. The law prohibits drivers from turning a vehicle from a direct course on the roadway or moving it from right or left unless the driver can make such a movement with reasonable safety.
If the action can affect other vehicles, the motorist must provide an appropriate signal before proceeding. Generally, drivers need to use blinkers, but in some cases, they can use proper hand signals.
Avoiding unsafe lane changes can reduce collision risks, especially when dealing with oncoming traffic.
What Makes a Lane Change Unsafe?
According to VC 22107, an unsafe lane change typically involves changing lanes under these circumstances:
- Without signaling or failing to signal long enough in advance
- When it is unsafe to do so, such as in heavy traffic or at high speeds
- Without checking mirrors and blind spots first to ensure no vehicles are in the way
- Without gauging whether there is enough physical space to do so
A traffic attorney can tell you more about this part of the California Vehicle Code.
Other Laws That May Impact Your Case
One common misunderstanding of this law is when to signal your intentions. Other drivers need enough time to see your signal and respond before you make a move. According to California Vehicle Code Section 22108: Failure to Signal Before Turning or Changing Lanes, all drivers must signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.
When signaling for a turn or to slow down, you can’t just use any gesture. It’s essential to know the correct signals for turning right, turning left, and stopping. You must also use them early enough for others to see your actions.
What Are the Penalties for Making an Unsafe Lane Change in California?
The fine for unsafely changing lanes is several hundred dollars. An offender will gain one point on their driver’s license, which remains for three years. If your situation involves a DUI in California, points will be added to your license for this offense, too. Points on your license can lead to higher insurance premiums.
You should not ignore an unsafe lane change traffic ticket. Failing to pay the fine or failing to appear in court if ordered to do so can lead to penalties. Unpaid fines can end up in a collection agency, which can affect your credit score and lead to other complications.
How Do Lawyers Handle VC 22107 Tickets?
Attorneys can use several strategies to handle a ticket for an unsafe lane change. In some cases, lawyers may dispute the police officer’s account of what happened to lead to the ticket, potentially getting a client out of paying the fine.
Will You Have to Go to Traffic School?
Attending traffic school is an effective way to mitigate the financial repercussions of an unsafe lane change violation. In California, drivers are typically eligible for traffic school for moving violations if they
- Haven’t attended traffic school for a moving violation in the past 18 months
- Agree to plead guilty to the violation and pay any associated fines
Requesting court approval for traffic school and completing the course allows you to mask the point from your driving record. While the court won’t erase the violation from your record, it will not be visible to insurance companies, protecting you from potential increases in your auto insurance rates.
A lawyer can help you decide if traffic school represents the right choice to handle your VC 22107: Unsafe Lane Change ticket.
Unsafe Lane Changes Could Lead to DUI Charges in California
Law enforcement officers may try to add additional charges to your VC 22107 ticket in some cases. For example, if they claim that you made an unsafe turn, they could then ask to perform a sobriety field test or a blood alcohol content (BAC) test.
You may decline a BAC or field sobriety test in some situations. However, California’s implied consent law means that individuals legally have to go along with these tests if they’re under 21, on probation, or under arrest.
Refusing a legally ordered test can have harsh consequences. An attorney can provide more information about your rights in the event of an arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) and help with your legal needs.
What to Do When an Unsafe Lane Change Brings a DUI Charge
If you or a loved one faces DUI charges, particularly where an unsafe lane change is involved, it is likely time to seek legal representation as soon as possible. A DUI attorney can protect your rights while working to resolve your case.
DUI attorneys will review your case, including whether an unsafe lane change, as defined under CA Vehicle Code 22107, happened. After your arrest, you can start documenting everything related to the incident. Your lawyer may refer to this record when building your defense. You can include all of the following shortly after the traffic stop while your memory is still fresh:
- Notes about the events leading up to the traffic stop
- Your interaction with law enforcement
- All relevant circumstances that can help your defense
A traffic attorney can help you avoid the severe penalties associated with a DUI.
How to Handle an Unsafe Lane Change DUI Case
A lawyer can take several actions to fight a DUI charge and obtain the most favorable outcome in your situation. These include:
Challenging the Traffic Stop
If the traffic stop that led to the DUI charge came after an alleged unsafe lane change, your attorney can challenge the legality of the stop. If a lawyer finds the stop was illegal, any evidence collected during the stop, including breathalyzer results and field sobriety tests, might not be allowed as evidence in court.
Demonstrating a Lack of Probable Cause
A lawyer can argue that there was not enough probable cause for a DUI charge in your case, even if an unsafe lane change occurred. For example, your lawyer could challenge the accuracy of the arresting officer’s observations of impairment.
Questioning the Accuracy of the Sobriety Test
If you took a breathalyzer test, blood test, urine test, or field sobriety test, a lawyer can examine the results and challenge their accuracy. Errors in testing procedures and faulty equipment can affect test results. Even certain medical conditions can result in false positives on a blood alcohol test.
Negotiating a Plea Deal
Many impaired driving cases end through a DUI plea bargain. A lawyer can negotiate with the prosecution to reduce your charges, possibly dropping the unsafe lane change charge or reducing the DUI charge to a lesser offense like “wet reckless driving,” which is alcohol-related reckless driving.
No two DUI-related cases are alike, so a lawyer will need to develop a legal strategy that addresses the unique factors and circumstances in each one.
We Can Tell You More About VC 22107
You can face high fines if the police give you a ticket for CA Vehicle Code 22107 – Unsafe Lane Сhange. You could face harsher penalties if the police also accuse you of something like drunk driving. Fortunately, you do not have to face any of these allegations on your own.
If this is your situation, a DUI attorney can help you take steps that protect your present and future. Your lawyer will help you fight to have the charges reduced, have them dropped, or seek another outcome that shields you from the harshest consequences.
At Los Angeles DUI Lawyer, we have assisted thousands of clients facing situations just like yours. Our team can connect you with a professional legal team that will put you first and provide the support you deserve after getting a ticket. Call or contact us online today to begin addressing your legal needs.
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