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Disobeying the sign
So I got my first traffic ticket for disobeying a traffic sign.
I was coming back from UBC, I usually take a right on Oak street from 70th avenue (been going on this route 5 days a week and this is my second year). I thought about avoiding all the traffic by trying a new route turning a right early on Marine Dr. and taking Oak street from 71st avenue. Apparently, there is a sign before 71st and Oak st intersection prohibiting the vehicles from going through MON-FRI 3pm-7pm. But somehow, I honestly missed it and waited on 71st and Oak to make the right turn on to the bridge. I did notice a whole lot of police officers standing just before the bridge (and pulling over vehicles) as I waited to make the right turn. So, when I finally got the chance (took me a wait of more than 5 min) I turned and as I turned, the officer waived at me to pull over. (Apparently, he was watching and waiting to pull me over as soon as I make that move). I got ticketed for "Disobeying the Sign". He said some random legal terms and said how it is unsafe for vehicles to make a right turn just before a bridge and that I disobeyed about 6 signs posted there. He even acknowledged how I waited for a long time to take that right turn.
Now, I had to go and look on google maps to see the sign. It is not on the intersection but rather on the road before it. Either way, I know I missed it completely. The point is that had I known that I was commiting an offence, the easiest thing for me was to just reverse and take the 70th again especially when I saw all those officers standing.
So, is it worth disputing? I mean, there was no intention whatsoever, if there was, I wouldn't be doing it especially when realizing that the cops have been watching me for more than 5 min. Not saying that I would have done it if they were not there but rather the point that I was not aware and there was no intention. What should I do?
I had a look at 71st Ave. W. and Oak St. using Google Street View. What I can see there is a sign posted right above the stop sign at the intersection requiring a right turn onto Oak and forbidding travelling either straight through on 71st or turning left onto Oak. Either the signs in your situation are different from what I am seeing in Street View or I am not understanding what you are telling me.
Traffic rule violations do not require intent, or mens rea. You either followed them or you didn't. Whether intentionally or by honest mistake doesn't make a difference. What would make a difference in this case is if you were not able to see a sign, it had fallen down or vandals has destroyed it. Then you could not have reasonably known what was required of you and failing to follow it would not be an offense.
I could offer the article Disputing the Penalty for you and request that you help me understand your situation better.
You are right, there is a 'right turn' sign above the stop sign. I think that sign distracted me from seeing the prohibition sign. The No entry sign is posted on either side of the street (the street has no name) in between Osler and Oak st. just before the bus stop.
I don't think there is much to my situation except that I honestly somehow missed it. The more I see it on Google Maps now the more stupid I feel as to how I missed not one but two of them on either side. Maybe, I was a bit too excited to try out the route.
So, let's say if I decide to dispute the ticket anyways, and lose, will the judge still consider reducing the penalty?
Thanks for your earlier response. :)
You may always choose to dispute a ticket, either the allegation or the penalty, or ultimately both. If you lose at trial the penalty phase then takes place and you are allowed to describe your circumstances and request a penalty suitable to them. The justice may consider a reduction in penalty or an extension of time to pay or both. I have seen people given up to a year to pay.