A Hampton University student running late for class caused a collision with a Virginia State Trooper on a motorcycle on Tuesday morning, February 11. Twenty-year-old Autumn Pettway was stuck in traffic on I-64 when she decided to drive on the shoulder to pass cars and get to her class on time, the Daily Press reported.

At the same time, 10-year veteran Virginia trooper Becky Curl was on her motorcycle riding on the shoulder in response to a traffic accident at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. Although Pettway tried to merge back into traffic with the police offer approaching, she failed to do so and Curl struck the back of her vehicle.

Curl was thrown off of her bike, which then landed on top of the injured officer. Pettway was given a ticket for driving in the breakdown lane.

There are good reasons for our laws, and it is important to understand why it is illegal to drive on the shoulder of highways and interstates in Virginia. These lanes are used for emergencies and using them when you are simply inconvenienced can lead to serious injury, traffic citations, and even more serious charges.