Pregnant woman fined after having an attack of morning sickness...

[bainsidhe]

My thoughts? It would've been nice for the officer to give her a warning, but it was his choice to enforce the law and ticket her. I don't even mind that she asked the city to take another look and consider the circumstances. However now that she's been rebuffed and told to pay the ticket, she's crying to the media how unfair it is. The law isn't to prevent ONLY the people short-cutting through the rat race from making a left-hand turn, it's to prevent EVERYONE from making the turn.

How exactly will the court case go?
Judge: Ma'am, did you make an illegal turn?
Woman: Yes I did, but..
Judge: So you admit to making an illegal turn?
Woman: Yes, but you see, I wasn't feeling well and...
Judge: Pay the fine.

[fireheart17]

My thoughts? It would've been nice for the officer to give her a warning, but it was his choice to enforce the law and ticket her. I don't even mind that she asked the city to take another look and consider the circumstances.

I don't mind that either. She has every right to challenge the fine, however it doesn't mean that she'll get the fine waived (for the record, anything involving parking is enforced by the local councils, everything else is the duty of the police.).

However now that she's been rebuffed and told to pay the ticket, she's crying to the media how unfair it is. The law isn't to prevent ONLY the people short-cutting through the rat race from making a left-hand turn, it's to prevent EVERYONE from making the turn.

the sign is actually behind her in the picture as well.

How exactly will the court case go?
Judge: Ma'am, did you make an illegal turn?
Woman: Yes I did, but..
Judge: So you admit to making an illegal turn?
Woman: Yes, but you see, I wasn't feeling well and...
Judge: Pay the fine.

I wish I could see this! (MOST magistrate court cases are open court with the exception of the youth court)

[Seifer]

I honestly don't. I believe things like vomiting or being about to shit yourself allow certain minor infractions of the rules.

I think if the woman had actually puked (either in a bag or on the pavement), the officer might have been more sympathetic. If there's no vomit, then that means there's no evidence that the woman was actually feeling sick. Therefore, the officer is perfectly in his right to believe that the woman is full of shit and is trying to lie to get out of a ticket.

[bainsidhe]

I reread the article and there's one other thing I wish the article explained, which is how the hell an improper turn equals a $366 fine. That alone would have me trying to get the fine reduced, and I'd probably be throwing in useless crap like what a good driver I am, that I was trying to prevent an accident, etc. If her state has a STOP or safety class that reduces or removes the ticket, I strongly suggest she take it.

[Nyoibo]

Traffic fines in Australia are high, most parking fines start at around $50+ speeding fines are usually around $200 minimum, going up into $1000+ and loss of licence.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I think if the woman had actually puked (either in a bag or on the pavement), the officer might have been more sympathetic. If there's no vomit, then that means there's no evidence that the woman was actually feeling sick. Therefore, the officer is perfectly in his right to believe that the woman is full of shit and is trying to lie to get out of a ticket.

This. I'm pretty sure that the officer's heard many a tall tale in his day, which explains why he still insisted on the ticket. After all, we only have her word for the story that she felt sick; she might have just as easily come up with the story after she decided to go to the media.

I've read about a few cases of pregnant woman entitlement like this, and it beggars belief; especially when as I said before, millions of women have been pregnant over the centuries and managed to survive without being treated like goddesses. Fact is, the law of this road was laid out. She chose to break that law. Therefore, she needs to suck it up and just pay the fine.

[DrFaroohk]

I just can't get over "teh roolz is teh roolz!" logic. What if there was a sign saying "anyone driving down this street is subject to tasering and anal rape." Would we just be saying "Oh, that's fine! ROOLZ IS ROOLZ DERP!"

[Glados]

I am in with the no vomit = liar in the cops eyes.

Pregnancy does require special considerations though. I am surprised at the utter lack of humane consideration. I understand that there are far to many women who want to be totally pampered just because they are pregnant and I agree that is an unfair and abusive attitude to have. However, to propose that a pregnant woman should not ask for any help is absurd. If a man pulled over because of a medical condition no one would cry foul.

When I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter the company that I worked for decided to push back break times. They instituted a strict rule of no extra bathroom breaks. I had to wait 4 1/2 hours between breaks to use the restroom. I promptly got a doctor's note that stated that I could not wait that long. Does this make me an EW? What do you suggest I should have done, quit my job that paid enough to support my family?

I am so sick of the attack on pregnant women. It is just another form of sexism IMO. Pregnant women deserve the same considerations that would be given to any other person with a valid medical need.

[crashhelmet]

I just can't get over "teh roolz is teh roolz!" logic. What if there was a sign saying "anyone driving down this street is subject to tasering and anal rape." Would we just be saying "Oh, that's fine! ROOLZ IS ROOLZ DERP!"

So who decides what rules and laws are followed and which ones can be ignored? Why have them in the first place if they can just be ignored? How would you feel if your children ignored one of your rules?

[DrFaroohk]

So who decides what rules and laws are followed and which ones can be ignored? Why have them in the first place if they can just be ignored? How would you feel if your children ignored one of your rules?

You misunderstand me. Actually I'm all for the rules. Both sides of them! That means, I try to follow the rules, but if I find some obscure rule that happens to benefit me, then they'd better enforce that too. Of course, they don't. Which blows their whole "roolz" theory out of the water. Either ALL the rules are enforced, or they're ALL subject to review and exceptions. You can't have it both ways.

[Andara Bledin]

That means, I try to follow the rules, but if I find some obscure rule that happens to benefit me, then they'd better enforce that too. Of course, they don't.

Except that this thread isn't about you; it's about a pregnant woman who is trying to use the fact that she's pregnant to get out of having to pay a find for choosing to break a known rule.

I am so sick of the attack on pregnant women.

Except that this isn't an attack on a pregnant woman; this is an attack on a woman who feels she's entitled to special treatment that there is no evidence she deserves.

^-.-^

[Rebel]

Just to clarify,

Attacking Pregnant Women:
"Pregnant women are useless in society. They should stay in the house until they pop the kid out, and then they should stay home looking after that kid. Stupid woman thinking she still has a choice in life once she conceives!"

Not Attacking Pregnant Women:
"You have to follow the same road rules that everyone else does. If you fail to do so, you will have to pay a fine."

The 'No Left Turn' sign was put there for a reason. Anyone who decides to ignore it and turn left anyway, and who are unlucky enough to get caught, will get fined. This lady took her chance and lost.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Exactly this.

I don't see anyone attacking pregnant women in this thread; just attacking an entitled woman who thinks that she deserves preferential treatment just cuz she's got one in the oven. Sure, she can appeal against the decision; everyone has the right to do that but if she loses her appeal, then she should just stfu and pay.

[fireheart17]

Nobody's attacking pregnant women for ANY reason. I was actually careful in how I worded my arguments and pointing out what's happening. I even made reference to a non-pregnant woman having a nausea attack in the car. (my mother)

As for DrFahrook's argument, by the logic presented, I should be able to speed if I'm running late for uni. If I'm caught I can just say that I'm having a serious attack of internal bleeding. -.-

[Mytical]

I am also of the 'not all rules are good rules' faction. Just because something is legal, doesn't make it RIGHT. At one time, owning other human beings was 'legal' (and might still be in some areas of the world). However...

There are good reasons for exceptions, and other things..not so much. I can have compassion for somebody stealing food to feed their family. I can understand if there was a 'shoot everybody you see on sight' law..not following it. This is neither of those things.

This is 'I am spechul and should be above the law'. Which is NOT a good excuse in my opinion.

You don't like a law...fight to change it. Protest, by all means. Ignore them if you like, just don't cry when you get caught and punished.