Avoiding Traffic Signal

[mak977]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

I recently received a ticket while i was driving behind and through a shopping center. This is not a parking lot, but looks like a loading area; there are stop signs and parking lots at both sides of the street. There were 3 stop signs which I made a full stop each and one of them. After my first stop sign, I realized a police cruiser following behind me; since I didn't do any traffic violation, I got nervous and wonder what I did wrong. I continue my driving decided to skip the Starbucks at the shopping center. Before I got out the shopping center, I was stopped and given a ticket for the reason of EVADING TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I told the officer that I was going to Starbucks but changed my mind after I saw you following me. My true intention was to get a coffee from Starbucks like I have done every morning for the past five years. He mentioned that the owners of the shopping center had complained against people driving this road and we are enforcing today and I have already issued 12 tickets".

If it illegal to drive through, why they didn't post a sign which prohibits driving through this street. I'm wondering if any of you can give me an advice or suggestions?

Mid 2008, I was stopped the same place by police. The police officer requested my driver license and registration. Few minutes the officer came back and told me that he stopped me because my safety sticker is about to expire and I must renew soon. What a lame excuse? I guess I'm bad luck?


appreciated you advice!

[FlyingRon]

No sign is necessary. It's illegal to drive through private property to avoid a traffic signal.

We have a word for "about to expire." We call it valid.

[mak977]

I'm aware it is illegal drive through a private property. It is known trespassing; but what about if it is a shopping center? Are you telling me it is illegal to drive to shopping in order to shop? Which is no! And that is exactly what I was intent to do and have done in the past. I was not driving through in the parking.

[FlyingRon]

Trespassing isn't what you were charged with. This is the statute:


§ 46.2-833.1. Evasion of traffic control devices.

It shall be unlawful for the driver of any motor vehicle to drive off the roadway and onto or across any public or private property in order to evade any stop sign, yield sign, traffic light, or other traffic control device.

[Zigner]

There's no sign saying you have to stop at a red light, but you do it anyway!