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Judge: Baby on board is no excuse.
Pregnant woman claimed she was driving for two
Wednesday, January 11, 2006; Posted: 6:15 p.m. EST (23:15 GMT)
PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Fetuses do not count as passengers when it comes to determining who may drive in the carpool lane, a judge has ruled.
Candace Dickinson was fined $367 for improper use of a carpool lane, but contended her unborn child qualified to use the lane. Motorists who use the lanes normally must carry at least one passenger during weekday rush hours.
Municipal Judge Dennis Freeman rejected Dickinson's argument Tuesday, applying a "common sense" definition in which an individual is someone who occupies a "separate and distinct" space in a vehicle.
"The law is meant to fill empty space in a vehicle," the judge said.
Sgt. Dave Norton stopped Dickinson's car November 8. When asked how many people were in the car, Dickinson said two, pointing to "her obvious pregnancy," the officer said.
Norton said Dickinson's theory "would require officers to carry guns, radios and pregnancy testers, and I don't think we want to go there."
If only it could be so simple a way to solve the whole right to life/anti-abortion issue. To be considered an individual, a fetus must occupy a seperate and distinct space of it's own.
I can hear the thunder of the anti abortionists approaching already.....
Pregnant woman claimed she was driving for two
Wednesday, January 11, 2006; Posted: 6:15 p.m. EST (23:15 GMT)
PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Fetuses do not count as passengers when it comes to determining who may drive in the carpool lane, a judge has ruled.
Candace Dickinson was fined $367 for improper use of a carpool lane, but contended her unborn child qualified to use the lane. Motorists who use the lanes normally must carry at least one passenger during weekday rush hours.
Municipal Judge Dennis Freeman rejected Dickinson's argument Tuesday, applying a "common sense" definition in which an individual is someone who occupies a "separate and distinct" space in a vehicle.
"The law is meant to fill empty space in a vehicle," the judge said.
Sgt. Dave Norton stopped Dickinson's car November 8. When asked how many people were in the car, Dickinson said two, pointing to "her obvious pregnancy," the officer said.
Norton said Dickinson's theory "would require officers to carry guns, radios and pregnancy testers, and I don't think we want to go there."
If only it could be so simple a way to solve the whole right to life/anti-abortion issue. To be considered an individual, a fetus must occupy a seperate and distinct space of it's own.
I can hear the thunder of the anti abortionists approaching already.....
issed: