My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Michigan. City of Taylor.
When exiting I94 West onto Ecorse Rd. Exit 200, the ramp merges onto Ecorse Westbound. On the ramp, the is No Left Turn signage on each side of the road. The top sign is the typical "no left turn" symbol and the sign right below it reads "At Inkster" (Inkster Rd. is the first intersection once you are on Ecorse Rd. That interstection is 1/4 from the signs) Still on the ramp, just following those two signs is one "no left turn" symbol sign (which is to let you know that you cannot make a left on Ecorse Rd., but rather can only merge onto traffic flowing westbound). When you get to the intersection at Inkster Rd., there is a Left Turn Lane with a Left Turn Light, with no posted restrictions for making a left turn.
When I came upon this stretch of road for the first time ever, I somehow missed seeing the "No Left Turn symbol""At Inkster" signage, and easily and safely was able to make a left turn 1/4 mile down the road at Inkster Rd. The officer (which I saw approaching me even before I made the left turn) pulled me over immediately after I made the left turn at Inkster Rd.
My first question is: Is the signage adequate to instruct a motorist that only exiting highway traffic (and not westboud Ecorse Rd traffic) can't make a left hand turn at Inkster Rd?
My second question: The officer reduced the offense to Impeding Traffic, with a note on the citation of the actual offense. When I called the court, I asked if I could accept responsibility with explanation, to try to see if I could explain how the signage is confusing and perhaps get the citation dismissed or fine lessened. The lady on the phone told me that Impeding Traffic carries no Points with it, and if I set-up an informal hearing it is possible that the actual offense of Prohibited Turn (which carries Points) could be enforced. Is this true?