I got pulled over by the Jersey Village police today and cited for an 'unsafe start'. Can someone please tell me what this is? I looked online and can't come up with anything yet. This is in Texas and it says code 3024 next to the violation. I of course took my ticket with no complaints but I sure would like to know what qualifies as an 'unsafe start'.

Here is what happened from my point of view. Jersey Village is a basically a big neighborhood that has deemed itself a city. I was behind a garbage truck on a residential street and I proceeded to pass him. Of course I did have to go into the other lane but remember this is a residential street. The officer told me that was what made it an unsafe start. How is that any different than going around a parked car in front of someones house?

Like I said I was a good citizen and followed the yes sir no sir policy with the officer but this one really has me scratching my head. I can take defensive driving I'm sure, but I would like to know what exactly I did wrong. The officers (he called in backup) seemed to enjoy checking my truck out thoroughly though......

Any help from anyone familiar with texas traffic laws would be greatly appreciated. Might just have to fight this one......

 

Not 100% sure....did the street have lines?No double lines etc just the usaul lines that tell you its allowable... like - - - - - -
Cuase other than that like it being a non passing zone i'm not sure wtf...and if its a non passing zone then it should be improper lane usage not a unsafe start.I don't know thats weird...

 

it had stripes and they were the - - - - kind. I am really stumped too. Sounds like I may need to talk to the judge about this one.

 

if its a broken line than you should have NOT received a ticket... and shouldnt the ticket have read "unsafe PASS" why does it say start?

 

plead not guilty

 

Seems a unsafe start would be along the lines of exhibition of speed...but that is also when you peel out etc...i say talk to the judge plead not guilty.

 

He could have possibly thought you were parked on the wroing side of the street, thereby making you drive the wrong way for a few feet right when you take off. When you park on the side of the road you have to be facing the same way as oncoming traffic (right side)

Id still fight it though

 

he did say he heard me spin my tires.....I explained to him that with the price of 20" tires I didn't do that. He probably heard me shoot the juice to it to pass the garbage truck. He was across the street in a parking lot. If I did spin my tires it couldn't have been more than a chirp at best. I thought you got exhibition of acceleration and speed for spinning your wheels. I was in a 25 mph speed zone and he didn't even try to cite me for speeding cause I know I never got over 20mph.....despite any attempts of spinning my tires. I never saw him or I would have been more careful with the go pedal I guess. Jersey Village police have been known for being a little on the critical side.

I just wish I could get the text book definition of unsafe start. Still think I should take it to court or take my licks and do defensive driving?

 

Id still go to court. If the issuing officer doesnt show, you can usually get it thrown out. Then you dont even pay court cost, just turn around and leave.

 

Plus if you get it dismissed without doing the course, you can still use that for a get out of a speeding ticket free card later. Only if you need to, of course.