Submitted by NoCombination2321 t3_10k0kwj in massachusetts
I was driving in Malden and changed into a left turn lane without noticing it’s left turn only prior to changing the lane. I promise I wasn’t trying to cut the line, I’ve never done it on purpose and I’m also too scared to do it.
There wasn’t a left turn only sign on the traffic light pole like Boston usually does and I did not see any signs until I was almost in the lane and saw the one left turn arrow on the road at the end of the lane. By that time it was too late to change back to the right lane so I proceeded in going in that lane. I put my blinkers on, and another car drove behind me. I thought if the car in the right lane did not give me a chance to go as soon as the light turn green, I’ll turn left so I don’t waste any time of the car behind me. When the light turned green, the car in the right lane yield to me and so I went straight. There was also enough space across the intersection to go straight as the lane starts off very wide. As soon as I passed the intersection I was pulled over by a cop, when I said there’s no sign until the end of the lane, he said there was one two blocks away😰
After he gave me the citation, I drove back to see the sign he mentioned, and within that few minutes, he pulled over another car at the same intersection.
Tbh Malden’s traffic confuses me as they lack signage and the two lane roads sometimes has a left or right turn only lane and you would only notice it when you see that one arrow on the road…
My defense is that I didn’t cause any traffic and was driving safely, and that instead of improving the signs at a confusing intersection where people new to the area could make mistakes and could potentially be dangerous, the officials chose to use that to their advantage to charge their citizens and did not do anything to actively avoid potential accidents.
But in the end, I did go straight on a left turn lane even though it was not my intention. Should I fight the ticket? Do I have a chance for the court to drop the ticket?
Thank you all.
Graflex01867 t1_j5nsmzi wrote
Well. . . technically, when you realized it was a turn only lane, you probably should have just turned, then found your way back to where you were originally going. (Yeah, I know Malden has some rather interesting one-ways and roads that duck over/under other roads and the train tracks.)
On the other hand, if the road signs aren't clear, then that's not right either. Drivers aren't psychic, there needs to be signs for turn only lanes. If the cop pulled someone else over after you, that says that other drivers were confused about it as well.
You've got a point that the signs suck, but you also could have handled your mistake better. It might not be worth your time to argue it in court. I would see if there's someone you could report it to - I'm not sure what department in the city government it would be.