Fail to obey highway sign

What is the name of your state? VA

I was ticketed yesterday for 'Fail to obey highway sign'.

Briefly; I turned right onto a side road then made a U-turn around a center island to access the service road. Upon returning to the scene there was no U-turn sign off to the right of the side road, not on the island, but because a truck that made the right in front of me stopped, I was unable to see the sign until I was half way throught the manuover and the truck continued.

The conditions were deplorable, heavy rain and rush hour traffic, I summized that in the interest of my own and other road users safety it was best to proceed with the turn.

As I was unable to see the sign until I was already commited to the turn, can I use the unable to see he sign as a legitimate defence?

[You Are Guilty]

Originally Posted by natlake

What is the name of your state? VA

I was ticketed yesterday for 'Fail to obey highway sign'.

Briefly; I turned right onto a side road then made a U-turn around a center island to access the service road. Upon returning to the scene there was no U-turn sign off to the right of the side road, not on the island, but because a truck that made the right in front of me stopped, I was unable to see the sign until I was half way throught the manuover and the truck continued.

The conditions were deplorable, heavy rain and rush hour traffic, I summized that in the interest of my own and other road users safety it was best to proceed with the turn.

As I was unable to see the sign until I was already commited to the turn, can I use the unable to see he sign as a legitimate defence?

Nope. "Ignorance of the law" and all. You may be able to use it as a way to mitigate the fine you're going to get though. Can't hurt to bring it up.

I am not trying to use ignorance of the law, I know the law is to obey highway signs, however to obey a sign one must be able to see it! As the sign was obscured by the truck in front of me (to which end I will bring pictures of the strange location of the sign) surely I cannot be expected to obey a sign I cannot see.

[You Are Guilty]

Originally Posted by natlake

I am not trying to use ignorance of the law, I know the law is to obey highway signs, however to obey a sign one must be able to see it! As the sign was obscured by the truck in front of me (to which end I will bring pictures of the strange location of the sign) surely I cannot be expected to obey a sign I cannot see.

Yes you can. And stop calling me Shirley.