Judge's helmet-law ruling leaves cops, courts and biker confused

[Idnew]

SANTA CRUZ - In a decision both sides call baffling, a judge recently ruled that a Soquel man's tickets for not wearing a motorcycle helmet can be considered "fix-it" tickets, seemingly erasing any fine or mark on his driving record for violations that are not normally considered fixable.

confused me reading it

Full Story (http://www.bikersrights.com/states/california/quig/quignews.html)

[sinecure]

In California, "fix-it tickets" are considered to be mere "infractions" of the Vehicle Code instead of crimes.

Examples would be: not enough tread on your tires, vehicle too low to the ground, burnt-out lights, window tint too dark, missing side mirror, stickers on the windows or other objects impairing driver's visibility, etc. etc.

Some of these are "wobblers" and can be charged as a crime [misdemeanor]... at the option of the issuing officer, depending on the circumstances.

This helmet-law violation is serious stuff, and I wouldn't be surprised if this went all the way up to the Calif. Supreme Court.

[LocalAreaLeech]

yeah - like when I got in trouble for a brake light not working - I took the fix-it ticket within 30 days, IIRC, to the local courthouse, and asked to have an officer verify the situation had been remedied - fine wavied, ticket 100% gone.

Basically a way to make sure people are being responisble motorists.

[DustyBottoms]

Off topic a little but in California it is legal for motorcycles to drive between slow or stopped cars on the freeway.

I always thought that was a stupid law.