Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    3

    Default Driving Left of Center Lane While Pulling Out of Apartment Complex Driveway (Wa)

    Hello All - I have read through a few of these threads already but was unable to find one similar to my situation.

    Last night I was riding my motorcycle with my girlfrend and turned left out of the driveway of our apartment complex on to the main road. I was then pulled over by a cop. We live in Bellevue, WA. There are no signs in the dirveway or on the street that say you cannot turn left out of the driveway. There is a small median direction infront of you but can easily be avoided while turning left.

    The officer cited the following http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.100

    However in another thread the following was cited http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.125 Which states " (2) The foregoing limitations shall not apply upon a one-way roadway, nor under the conditions described in RCW 46.61.100(1)(b), nor to the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road or driveway."

    Is there anything else I should consider before pleading not guilty and using the above rulling as my defense.

    I appreciate everyones help!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    California
    Posts
    98

    Default Re: Driving Left of Center Lane While Pulling Out of Apartment Complex Driveway (Wa)

    Is the purpose of that median to prevent vehicles from turning left? A picture or Google Streetview would be helpful.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Driving Left of Center Lane While Pulling Out of Apartment Complex Driveway (Wa)

    Here is a link to the google maps view of the street

    http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=...ed=0CBoQ8gEwAA

    The ticket was written for an address down the street.

    I would appreciate any feedback I can recieve as I need to respond to the ticket. Thanks!!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Driving Left of Center Lane While Pulling Out of Apartment Complex Driveway (Wa)

    Do I understand you had to drive the wrong way on the street a little bit to get to the break in the median?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Driving Left of Center Lane While Pulling Out of Apartment Complex Driveway (Wa)

    The median that was put there for the sole purpose of preventing you turning left.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Driving Left of Center Lane While Pulling Out of Apartment Complex Driveway (Wa)

    Yes I did have to drive left of the median to get to the break. We are talking about not even 3 - 4 yards.

    Also, there are no signs stating you cannot take a left turn. In an alleyway down the street it specifically states no left turn (same situation with a median).

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Driving Left of Center Lane While Pulling Out of Apartment Complex Driveway (Wa)

    That's driving on the wrong side of the road. The statute doesn't say "unless you need to get to a median break.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    California
    Posts
    98

    Default Re: Driving Left of Center Lane While Pulling Out of Apartment Complex Driveway (Wa)

    If you had to navigate on the wrong side of the road for any distance (even if it's only "3-4 yards"), it's still driving on the wrong side of the road. If there is a raised median directly across from your driveway, common sense should tell you that you need to turn right. In terms of the signing, it would be up to your apartment complex to put up signs since the city/county/state wouldn't have jurisdiction on private property. The roadway appears to be designed fairly clearly that a left turn is prohibited.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Towing: Parking in the Fire Lane at My Apartment Complex
    By Isabe-l in forum Moving Violations, Parking and Traffic Tickets
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-23-2011, 07:29 PM
  2. Traffic Lane Violations: Driving in the Center Lane of a Three-Lane Road
    By arizonaresident in forum Moving Violations, Parking and Traffic Tickets
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 06-04-2011, 01:04 PM
  3. Traffic Lane Violations: Officer Said I Was in the Center Two-Way Lane Change Lane for to Long
    By Drock84 in forum Moving Violations, Parking and Traffic Tickets
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-02-2010, 04:00 PM
  4. Traffic Lane Violations: Driving Left Of Center
    By Alisa68 in forum Moving Violations, Parking and Traffic Tickets
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-14-2008, 08:59 AM
  5. Traffic Lane Violations: Ticket for Driving Left of Center on a Gravel Forest Road
    By NW_hiker in forum Moving Violations, Parking and Traffic Tickets
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 12-01-2006, 01:34 PM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources