Citation for a non left turn but no signs

[Shanvhere]

I got the citation in Texas.

So I went to a stop sign and in front of me are several signs saying I can’t turn left, it’s because the vechicles coming from my right turn there and go down the road. So I turned right and drove a little and then made a uturn, the police officer pulled me over and gave me a citation stating I made an illegal left turn with signs no where posted where I was, I will show pics.

http://imgur.com/r7OMvpV

This is the signs

http://imgur.com/1y6p2yp

and this is where I turned

There is a gas station on the right, and I asked the cop if a car was to leave can they go out and turn left on where the turn is, he didn’t answer me.

Am I in the right?

 

[adjusterjack]

Was a U-Turn legal where you made it?

And give us a link to the google map location.

 

[Shanvhere]

There was no sign stating I could not make a uturn, here’s the google map link


https://goo.gl/maps/6mDxS2jXBoT2

 

[paddywakk]

There doesn't have to be a sign where you made the U-turn, you should study Texas laws on U-turns. Some things you are expected to know when you apply for a license.

 

[Shanvhere]

That’s cool, but did I deserve a ticket for a no turn left.

 

[Zigner]

There doesn't have to be a sign where you made the U-turn, you should study Texas laws on U-turns. Some things you are expected to know when you apply for a license.

Did you find some sort of restriction against a u-turn such as the OP made in Texas? Or, are you basing your advice on the laws of some other state?

 

[adjusterjack]

Several undocumented resources opine that Texas has no statutes prohibiting U-Turns save for:

Sec. 545.102. TURNING ON CURVE OR CREST OF GRADE. An operator may not turn the vehicle to move in the opposite direction when approaching a curve or the crest of a grade if the vehicle is not visible to the operator of another vehicle approaching from either direction within 500 feet.

https://law.justia.com/codes/texas/2017/transportation-code/title-7/subtitle-c/chapter-545/

Which doesn't appear to apply to Center St which has no curves or grades for a much greater distance than 500' from that gas station.

I don't see anything in the Deer Park Municipal Code prohibiting U-Turns.

https://library.municode.com/tx/deer_park/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH66MOVETR

The fact remains, unfortunately, that your movement was to intentionally avoid a traffic control device. Though, personally, I can't see how driving up Center St and making a U-Turn would be illegal.

Might work as a defense, might not. Up to you if you want to try it. What have you got to lose?

 

[Shanvhere]

Thanks for that wonderful information! I shall use it for my defense.

 

[HRZ]

To me you did not make a left turn, you clearly avoided doing so by making a lawful right turn then followed by a lawful u turn and went straight ...you did exactly as one might be expected to do, make a right then lawfully turn around ..

 

[Shanvhere]

That exactly was my intention cause I thought that’s the right thing to do.