You either pay for a lawyer and gamble that they can help you OR you pay up and take your lumps. You 100% deserved a ticket and it sounds like he already cut you a break when he issued it for a more minor offense than what you were actually doing, which was stupid and dangerous.

Anonymous wrote:Just to be clear, you drove on the exit ramp until it ended and instead of coming to a stop (like the bumper to bumper traffic) you decided to continue forward in the shoulder?

Yes. But interesting they wrote ticket as passing on the right. In Fairfax VA you can only pass on the right in certain instances. I was not charged with on the shoulder. Interesting in my opinion as I would say I was passing no one as I was not yet on the highway. But the code is loose enough wont help

A. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only:

1. When the overtaken vehicle is making or about to make a left turn, and its driver has given the required signal;

2. On a highway with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles, of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction;

3. On a one-way street or on any one-way roadway when the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.

B. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Except where driving on paved shoulders is permitted by lawfully placed signs, no such movement shall be made by driving on the shoulder of the highway or off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway.

C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B, nothing in this section shall permit a driver of a motor vehicle to cross a solid line designating a bicycle lane to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle, except as provided in § 46.2-920.1, 46.2-1210, or 46.2-1212.1, as directed by a law-enforcement officer, or where the roadway is otherwise impassable due to weather conditions, an accident, or an emergency situation.

Just to be clear, you drove on the exit ramp until it ended and instead of coming to a stop (like the bumper to bumper traffic) you decided to continue forward in the shoulder?

Dave Dischley. He has helped a few people I know in FFX.

Start by finding a driving instructor for your children - you should not be teaching them to drive.

Any Lawyer recommendations?

Anonymous wrote:Let me guess - you got on 495N at 7, and then couldn't merge in time to avoid the exit only lane to 123? That whole section is a disaster right now, esp with the construction and the really quick exit to 267 (if entering at 7).

I would get a lawyer and go to traffic court. Good luck!

Yep you got it.

Anonymous wrote:Pay the ticket and accept the consequences. And stop using Waze to create extra traffic in our neighborhoods when you should have just stayed on the highway.

I was only getting off to snake up to Georgetown Pike or go down to Chain Bridge to George Washington Parkway. Not drive by your house. It was Friday when we had that Massive downpour in rush house. Literally highway was bumper to bumper at a complete standstill. Hard to get over when cars are sitting bumper to bumper. I did not want to stay on exit and entrance ramp so went forward. Is that it is.

Don't worry I am more than happy to pay my full ticket to Virginia. On Maryland side you have people when highway backed up on Seven Locks, River Road, Falls Road cutting through and a single lane roads to get around cars people go on shoulder all the time. It is not a Virginia thing.

Just want to know in Fairfax Court on Chainbridge road how can I deal with this?

Let me guess - you got on 495N at 7, and then couldn't merge in time to avoid the exit only lane to 123? That whole section is a disaster right now, esp with the construction and the really quick exit to 267 (if entering at 7).

I would get a lawyer and go to traffic court. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a lawyer and contest the ticket

Is Fairfax so tough I need a lawyer for a boring traffic ticket. .

Yes totally worth it

Anonymous wrote:Get a lawyer and contest the ticket

Is Fairfax so tough I need a lawyer for a boring traffic ticket. .

Pay the ticket and accept the consequences. And stop using Waze to create extra traffic in our neighborhoods when you should have just stayed on the highway.

OP, you're gonna get eaten alive here by people saying you waited too long to merge if "no one would let you in"

Go to court, your good driving record should speak for itself.

Get a lawyer and contest the ticket

Got a ticket for going on shoulder while getting on highway near Tysons. Cop was nice but gave me ticket anyhow. I ended up on shoulder as no one would let me over, I was going to exit back off but Waze said even longer so tried to course correct back onto highway and I ended on the shoulder and he was right there. I told him I have not had a moving violation in 30 years and I don't mind paying ticket, but I cant have points on my license as I have two kids on policy and will raise my rates a lot.

He said go to court and see if they will change it to less points since a clean record. But on-line it seems Fairfax is tough and seems only lawyers who are connected can help you. What should I do?