Traffic Tickets

I was caught using a cell phone while driving and handed a ticket. Being a tourist from California I didn't know about the new no cell phone law. But the officer's reasoning was that it is also unlawful to use a cell phone in California and decided to write me a ticket.

My questions are:

Would you please explain about improperly equipped motor vehicles under section 219 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Act? My driver window gear stopped working on the Labour Day weekend (4 days ago) and I have not had time to get back to the dealer to have it repaired. The officer informed me that this is a safety issue if the vehicle ended up in the river I would be trapped.

I am curious how is it that it is possible for an officer to issue a ticket without actually witnessing the alleged offense, and only going by a couple of witness calls that likely do not have the plate number of the alleged offender and in a location that is not specific?

Question: Over a year ago, my husband came to pick me up after work a little after 11 pm. We live in a town of 20,000 people and it was a Wednesday night, traffic is not very busy at the worst of times. He pulled into the left turn lane, saw nobody coming in from any direction and then instead of coming to a complete stop, slowed almost to a stop and then kept going.

Question: My husband got pulled over for speeding. We recently sold our old car and transferred the insurance to the new car. Instead of putting 2001 silver Chrysler PT Cruiser (new car, which is what he was driving), the officer put 1987 purple Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (old car) on the ticket.

This weekend I was issued a speeding ticket for speed against a highway sign. On the ticket the motor vehicle act section says 143 (3), however I was looking at the ICBC website which says it should be 146 (3). Can I dispute a ticket on this basis of this mistake?

I have been ticketed for crossing a double yellow line just before the end of the right hand lane in a passing zone. The reason for this manoeuvre was I had been in the right lane and catching up to another vehicle, I switched to the left lane to overtake the slower moving vehicle, I estimate the speed variation to be around 30 KPH.

The case of R v Drummond examines a Charter of Rights argument that a delay of 17 months from the offence date to the trial date for a traffic violation ticket is unreasonable. Grant Drummond was served with a traffic ticket for excessive speed, tinted windows and failing to wear a seatbelt on August 1, 2007. He filed a dispute of all counts within the 30 day time period.

QUESTION: What do I need to know to properly look after my interests if I receive a traffic ticket?

Have you ever been traveling a long distance from home and received a traffic ticket that you felt you should dispute in court? Were you disappointed to learn that in order to dispute the allegation you would have to travel all the way back to the court nearest to the place where the ticket was written? Many drivers decide at this point that the issue is not worth pursuing, pay the ticket and carry on.