Failure to yield turning left across a street into a residential drive way in Texas, no collision.?

Question

My girlfriend was coming home and turned left into our driveway, she didn't see someone else coming the opposite direction. The car that was coming came to a complete stop and she pulled into the driveway. She got out to see if they were alright but they drove off. Nearby cops happened to have a speed trap set up and came over and cited her for failure to yield. Any idea what the best course of action to take? We are hard for money as she is about to have surgery and be off of work. Should we go to court, do defensive driving, or just pay the fine? No idea what the fine is yet.

Answer 1

Defensive driving is your best bet, but in Houston, I think there was another option to just request defferred adjudication (basically don't get another ticket in 6 months and the ticket goes away). I think this might be the cheapest route to go, but check your area.

Answer 2

Regardless whether or not the other vehicle stopped, you are supposed to remain in your lane and allow the oncoming vehicle to pass before making the actual turn into the driveway.  When making that turn, you are to use your turn signal just as you would when making a left turn onto another street.

If the officers observed your girlfriend violating the right-of-way (even though the other vehicle stopped), they are well within their jurisdiction in citing her.

Answer 3

You will need to go to court regardless and ask the judge if she can take defensive driving because it is up to the judge.

Answer 4

pay up, shut up and learn to drive.  It would have been worse if the other driver was asleep too.