Ticket for Making a U-Turn

[aareddy]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Ohio

I moved to Columbus, Ohio two months back. I was travelling on a road and wanted pull in to a gas station by making a u-turn. I was standing at a left turn signal and a cop car was behind my car. Since cop was behind me, I wanted to make sure there is no "No u-turn" signal. Since there was no "NO U-TURN" signal, I made a u-turn. Cop behind me stopped immediately and gave me a ticket. He says there is no U-Turn in entire city. This is I am not aware of.

This is my 1st ticket in my 5 years driving history. What are chances of cancelling the ticket and getting a warning for it, if I go to court?

[chuckycheese]

I'm curious to know how you would be expected to know that U-turns aren't allowed in Columbus.

[DonnyC]

there is a No U-Turn law in the books for the city of Columbus. It is our responsibility to make ourselves aware of the laws. The old I didnt know defense used to work not so much anymore. Try getting it plead down to a non moving violation.

[blewis]

Yep, DonnyC is correct. Just for the record:

2131.12 “U” turns prohibited.

(a) No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any street or highway. Turns commonly known as “U” turns are hereby prohibited.

Barry

[aareddy]

Thank you DonnyC and blewis for your valuable information and advise.

[chuckycheese]

That seems a little unfair since it's not posted. After all, he's probably got an Ohio driver's license.....but there's not a Columbus license. I wonder if it's mentioned in the typical driver's license study manual that would be available at the DMV? (I'm guessing that it probably is..)

[DonnyC]

Its actually not listed as no uturns its listed as follows:

(A) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall be governed by the following rules:

(1) Approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

(2) At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.

(3) At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle, and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane of the roadway being entered lawfully available to traffic moving in that lane.

(B) The operator of a trackless trolley shall comply with divisions (A)(1), (2), and (3) of this section wherever practicable.

(C) The department of transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause markers, buttons, or signs to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys, turning at an intersection, and when markers, buttons, or signs are so placed, no operator of a vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley shall turn such vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley at an intersection other than as directed and required by such markers, buttons, or signs.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

However like I stated before when you get into the drivers seat you are responsible for learning and researching the laws. If the law were the other way everyone would plead" I didnt know" and the world would be more chaotic than it already is.

[aareddy]

I would like thank chucycheese and DonnyC for your replies.

chuckycheese is correct as I also felt it a little unfair, as it is not posted "no u-turn". Police Officer said it is posted everywhere in the city. I was looking for that sign after I got the ticket on 1st April, but I din't find it anywhere till now.

I know, "I din't know" is not an excuse but at the same time they should have signs to that effect to aware new people coming to the city. For your information, I have Oregon state licence and I am here for a short duration on a job contract. Thanks..

[chuckycheese]

[QUOTE=DonnyC;305984]Its actually not listed as no uturns its listed as follows:

(A) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall be governed by the following rules:

(1) Approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

(2) At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.

(3) At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle, and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane of the roadway being entered lawfully available to traffic moving in that lane.

(B) The operator of a trackless trolley shall comply with divisions (A)(1), (2), and (3) of this section wherever practicable.

(C) The department of transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause markers, buttons, or signs to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys, turning at an intersection, and when markers, buttons, or signs are so placed, no operator of a vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley shall turn such vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley at an intersection other than as directed and required by such markers, buttons, or signs.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

If anything, it seems like that indicates that it should be posted.

[chuckycheese]

However like I stated before when you get into the drivers seat you are responsible for learning and researching the laws. If the law were the other way everyone would plead" I didnt know" and the world would be more chaotic than it already is.

No kiddin'????