Valid Defense in traffic court?Stop sign Violation?

Question

I got pulled for for doing a 'rolling' stop through a stop sign I had a few questions, first off it was around 11:30 pm so its very dark, the stop sign is way off to the right side of the road, to the right of a large sidewalk (SW), also the stop sign is wooden with no reflective material on its face, which can be hard to see at 11:30 at night. The stop sign is probally 10 ft to the right of the street. I was wondering do stop signs have to have reflective material on them and also do the distance from the road matter? I am also not from where I got the ticket, would it be worth it to drive almost an hour to get to the court, do you think I stand a chance or just pay the ticket over mail?

Answer 1

A picture says a 1000 words. If you can take pictures of the stop sign at 11:30 at night.....and try to use them to your advantage.

Answer 2

I actually just looked this up in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices 2003 Edition, the most commonly used reference for how to place signs and other traffic control markings. I have also worked in street and highway sign maintainence in the past.

There is no specific rule regarding where a stop sign must be placed or if reflective material must be used, but it does state "A Stop Sign shall be located as close as optimal to the intersection it regulates, while optimizing its visibility to the road user it is intended to regulate" (Sec. 2B.06). It would really totally dependent on the road conditions, number of trees and bushes, location of the sidewalk, lighting, the use of a stop ahead sign, warning or beacon lighting on the sign, height of the post, and other possible visibility issues as to whether this sign is properly placed or not. There may be local or state laws which govern this more strictly, but there is not enough information from your statement to say for a fact that it is improperly placed according to the general rules and guidelines for the placement of such signs.

My advice: Your case is weak at best, unless there is more strict local or state governance over the use of stop signs. Pay the fine and be more careful in the future.

Answer 3

maximum state statutes exceptionally state that lack of comprehend-how of the regulation isn't an excuse, and that each and each and every man or woman is in charge for understanding and following the regulation. A headlight being out is often an inspection difficulty, and genuinely has no longer some thing to do with day/nighttime, yet extremely if the automobile will pass inspection. That being suggested, you ought to have finished/suggested some thing to really worsen the officer to get that fee ticket, because it extremely is often seen a provide up and warn style of violation in my section, until eventually there have been different violations for that you've been warned.

Answer 4

First of all, if you are in an unknown area, you should proceed with more caution. You said it was dark. Do your headlights work?. Even if you saw the sign at the last minute, why didn't you slam on your brakes?. You were cited for a rolling stop, you obviously saw something. Too bad, it wasn't the squad car. Honestly, what is your defense?. You make the call

Answer 5

that happened to me also. i got stopped in arizona and i live in las vegas and i had to drive 4 hrs to get to the court. You need to drive there and plus you needed to be aware of the sign, its your fault unfortunately.

Answer 6

well something doesnt sound right ,and yes they are to be reflective or other wise you couldnt see them until you were passing it ,unless you no its there but that still doesnt keep you safe from other drivers.i would have it looked into,cause thats not right