Err....what's this new traffic ticket nonsense???

What the hell?

Don't forget that sometimes when given a citation for speeding one can receive an additional citacion for 'reckless driving.'

So does that mean you can get pulled over for speeding, reckless driving, AND failure for vigilance ALL AT ONCE???

If so, what a bunch of BS!

 

One of my patients just recieved a "failure to be vigilant" ticket. He had allegedly fallen asleep and wacked into the car in front of him...twice.

 

It's called New Orleans needs money. Stop crying and help them out fork over the $400 they will spend it more wisely than you.

 

Must be a local charge. Never heard of it.

 

Based on the information you have given I would guess she was ticked by an officer assigned to the traffic division, whose sole purpose is to enforce traffic regulations and investigate accidents. I say that because they are (generally) the only officers who operate vehicles ( or motorcycles) equipped with radar. I can also tell you that at one time it was a common pratice to cite a violator with either careless operation or reasonable vigilance so as to insure the full amount of the first citation was paid and not dropped to a lesser charge. With two violations the court will usally knock off one of the violations, thus you still pay the speeding fine. Were the extra charge not included chances are the court would allow her to plea to a lesser charge, thus the city would not collect the full amount for the speeding charge.

That said, I seem to remember a general order coming out a few years back that prohibited officers from "double billing" offenders, unless specific circumstances existed to necessitate the additional violation. For example, say you run a red light, but did so because you were pre-occupied chatting on the cell phone, then the officer would be justified in citing you for Reasonable Vigiliance, in addition to the red light violation.

With regard to the Reasonable Vigilance charge, (I'm paraphrasing) it is basically an ordinance that states that while operating a vehicle on the public roadway, the operator is required to devote their attention to operating said vehicle and nothing else. In essence if one is fiddling with the radio, eating a burger, smoking a cigarette, or chatting on the phone, they are violating the ordinance. Believe it or not the ordinance has been on the books for at least the past 20 years, if not longer.

Give me more information and I'll give you a better take on the situation.

 

dream34--thanks for this info---seriously

 

I didn't know this had its own charge, always thought it was the same as reckless operation. Thanks for the info.

If they are tacking this onto to small speeding tickets can we charge the scooter riding cops with something everytime they crash into something. The funniest was the one I saw on Magazine that almost hit a parked truck.

 

Actually officers who are involved in vehicle accidents, while on duty, are subject to have their actions reviewed by an accident review board. In the event the officer is found at fault the department may dole out a number punishments, including suspension days and/or forcing the officer to pay for the damage to the vehicle.

 

Frank, you're a funny guy. I'll have to meet up with you sometime once I get moved up to the northshore.

 

Funny??? Funny how? You mean funny like a clown???? I'm here to amuse you ???? What ya mean funny???