Got ticket for running stop sign when stop sign wasn't visible

[Leros]

That is what I was thinking as well. I am guessing the intersection didn't need a stop sign in that situation for you to be required to stop because of the other vehicle obstructing your view.

-KeithP

I was hitting an intersection about every 5 seconds as I drove through the neighborhood. I had gone through about 15 intersections so far where I did not have a stop sign. That gave me the expectation that this particular street would also not have a stop sign.

As I said in the OP, I slowed down when I approached the intersection to make sure there wasn't any cross-traffic.

 

[edro]

Was there a stopping bar?
It's the huge white line on the road next to stop signs.

 

[SolMiester]

This happened several years ago, just curious what you guys think.

tl;dr: I ran a stop sign that I couldn't see because a UPS truck was blocking it. Cop pulled me over and gave me a ticket.

I was driving through a neighborhood on one of the larger streets. Being a larger street, it didn't have stop signs going my direction (the cross-streets had stop signs). I had gotten about 15 streets into this neighborhood when I crossed a street that was apparently a 4-way stop. There was a UPS truck parked in front of the stop sign, so I had no idea it was there. A cop going the other direction pulled me over and gave me a ticket for running the stop sign. The cop didn't seem to think that not being able to view a stop sign was a valid point.

I'm the kind of guy that slows down to 20 mph or so at every intersection so that I can check for cross-traffic, so I wasn't in any risk hitting anybody either.

I ended up just paying the ticket. It was only $150, not worth the time fighting it.

MS Paint diagram:

Im quite sure that in NZ, if the cop cant show that the sign was visible, he cant ticket you...shame you didnt take a photo, then you could of written in explaining the issue....

 

[alkemyst]

You should always stop at a four way intersection when no marker is visible.

You can't drive.

Carry on.

 

[alkemyst]

Please post the addresses you were going through.

 

[exdeath]

I think there should be a law where you can't park within so many metres of a stop sign

Its 30 feet in AZ already.

 

[shortylickens]

Theres almost never 3 way stops at traditional 4 way intersections. Its too confusing to figure out right of way. Usually 3 way stops are reserved for weird road configurations where at least one of them comes in at an odd angle, like maybe just off a highway or something.

Also, OP would do better to provide a google map so we can see the exact layout.

 

[shortylickens]

Im quite sure that in NZ, if the cop cant show that the sign was visible, he cant ticket you...shame you didnt take a photo, then you could of written in explaining the issue....

Could have.

And when I was in traffic court last week plenty of people brought photos and google maps to show the situation. It worked, they got off.

 

[Tiamat]

I never got the chance. The UPS truck was gone by the time the police officer got out of his car and walked over to mine. The police officer didn't even believe me when I said it was there. I figured the only way to prove my case was to get the dash cam footage from the police car which was way too much work to be worth the hassle.

Incidences like this seem to further promote the idea of obtaining a dash camera. They would seemingly help tremendously in court for these dumb tickets or he said/ she said type accidents.

 

[MotionMan]

The stop sign for coming towards you should have gave it away...

As you approach an intersection like that, get in the habit of looking at the corner of the oncoming traffic lane. If they have a stop sign, you have a stop sign.

Pretty much this.

Also, based on his drawing, OP should not have been rolling through that intersection until he had a clear view of the traffic coming from his right. At that point, OP probably would have noticed the other three stop signs.

MotionMan

 

[T9D]

This happens from time to time. I always look around at the other signs. If there are 3 other signs then I doubt you'd be the only one not to not have one. If the truck was that big I'd be almost to a stop at the very least to make sure someone isn't stepping out from in front of the truck. Could easily mow down a kid otherwise. At the very a least assume there is a good possibility of a sign there.

The thing is I bet you never make this mistake again after getting a ticket for it. So there was an answer to the problem. You'll find it next time. Probably lucky nobody did get hit or mowed down.

 

[Leros]

This happens from time to time. I always look around at the other signs. If there are 3 other signs then I doubt you'd be the only one not to not have one. If the truck was that big I'd be almost to a stop at the very least to make sure someone isn't stepping out from in front of the truck. Could easily mow down a kid otherwise. At the very a least assume there is a good possibility of a sign there.

The thing is I bet you never make this mistake again after getting a ticket for it. So there was an answer to the problem. You'll find it next time. Probably lucky nobody did get hit or mowed down.

I slow down at every intersection even if there isn't a stop sign to check for cross-traffic. Right after I started driving, I almost got hit by a car that ran a stop sign so I've always been super careful when I cross an intersection.

 

[Dirigible]

TX is weird then. There are no 3 way stops in CA. They're all 2 or 4 way stops.

You are wrong.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...=xABt8q8E5BrIfEbBHzB8aA&cbp=12,104.77,,0,5.48

 

[alkemyst]

You are wrong.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...=xABt8q8E5BrIfEbBHzB8aA&cbp=12,104.77,,0,5.48

that's got to be a confusing intersection for someone new to the area.

 

[Jeff7]

Here's another intersection where not all directions have to stop.

See the "Opposing traffic does not stop" sign, and the heavy white stripe on the road? Me neither.

Approaching traffic can turn to their left or go straight without stopping.
Immediately after this intersection is another road that has a stop sign. It makes for some interesting maneuvers during busy times.

 

[stlc8tr]

You are wrong.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&...=xABt8q8E5BrIfEbBHzB8aA&cbp=12,104.77,,0,5.48

Heh. That's Berkeley, they're all sorts of crazy over there.

Seriously, thanks for the link. You learn something new everyday. I wonder what the rationale is for not making it a 4-way stop?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Heh. That's Berkeley, they're all sorts of crazy over there.

Seriously, thanks for the link. You learn something new everyday. I wonder what the rationale is for not making it a 4-way stop?

1) Oversight

2) Traffic flow - only one street has heavy traffic

 

[Dirigible]

1) Oversight

2) Traffic flow - only one street has heavy traffic

Doubt it is an oversight, since it's been that way for many years.

The one street without the stop sign does have heavier traffic than the other three. It would be a stretch to call it heavy though. With Berkeley, I don't expect their street decisions to make much sense.

I dislike the intersection. Find it unnerving. Even if I travel along the street without a stop, I slow and prepare for someone to pull out in front of me. It's especially scary at the beginning of the school year with a bunch of new Cal students unfamiliar with the area.