On Aug. 19, a California man was arrested after he and several other drivers performed a series of donuts on the top deck of the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. The “sideshow,” an informal performance of automobile stunts, brought traffic to a standstill. Several videos of the incident were posted on social media.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the sideshow happened at around 10:45 a.m. Another sideshow reportedly occurred in Oakland earlier in the day. Witnesses said cars from that event later drove toward the Bay Bridge.
Officers executed traffic stops on many vehicles suspected of participating in the donut escapade. Some drivers were issued citations for alleged mechanical violations as they drove off the bridge. One driver had his car impounded because he did not have a driver’s license. Another driver was taken into custody and charged with reckless driving and exhibition of speed. His car will be kept at the impound lot for 30 days.
Individuals charged with misdemeanor traffic violations could face serious consequences, including heavy fines and points being added to their driving record. In some cases, people could even have their driver’s license suspended, which may make it difficult to maintain employment. However, an attorney familiar with traffic violation laws may be able to fight the citation and help a client obtain a better outcome. In some circumstances, the attorney may find that police failed to follow proper procedures during the traffic stop, which could cause the case to be dismissed. In other circumstances, the attorney might be able to convince prosecutors to reduce the severity of the traffic violations. This tactic may potentially reduce fines and preserve a client’s driving record.
Source: NBCSanDiego, “Cars Doing Donuts Stop Traffic on Bay Bridge to San Francisco,” Brendan Weber, Aug. 20, 2018