traffic ticket in a parking lot, VA readers be careful!

Jason Garrett Young jasongyoung@jacomanufacturing.com
Mon, 10 Jun 2002 08:08:10 -0500


non se-r, but funny and a little scary too......

I'm leaving a restaurant (no alcohol involved, sorry guys) and go from that
parking lot to another parking lot  (side by side, I'm not on any street).
As I am driving down the lane, it is blocked by a bunch of pickup trucks in
a circle, just hanging out.  I drive around them and another car does, too.
We come together, but there are other cars on the sides of us parked.
Another car pulls behind that car.  Thus, one of us has to back up.  I
decide to back up since there is one of me and 2 of them in line.  I back up
about 50 feet or so (maybe more, my objective was to go ahead and back up
all the way to where I should be headed, who cares, it's a parking lot)  and
pull into the lane to go out the parking lot (another exit) and pull up
beside the curb and the blue lights turn on.  The cop pulls up in front of
me.........
I get a reckless driving (6 point) ticket for backing up.
I even asked the cop, "this is a point ticket and I am on private lot? how
do you get a traffic ticket when you are not on the street?"

So I start thinking when I am at home, "this is silly".  I call the state
trooper's department to question the validity of this charge.  The officer
that answered my call said this is a legit charge.  He goes on to
elaborate.....
"not only is that a ticket, but you can even get a reckless driving ticket
in your drive way, you can even get a DUI in your driveway, anytime you are
inhabiting a motor vehicle, you are subject to penalties."

I really don't know what to say.........It just seems very weird that you
can get a traffic ticket in a parking lot and a DUI while drinking beer and
installing a stereo in your car in your driveway.  When I was little, my dad
took me to a lot and taught me how to drive.  I guess he could have gotten a
ticket or me for operating a vehicle without a license.  I used to go to
lots in the winter time and practice my snow driving.............not
anymore.