Traffic violation for 'illegal maneuver'?

ramyk
By ramyk

Hi,

So here's what happened. I was stopped at the far left lane in a 4 lane road at an intersection. I remembered that I was supposed to be going straight (the intersection was not devided by a pavement into left turn/straight lanes). At this point, I turned my right indicator on and waited for the light to turn green to make a lane change. When the light turned green, the nice lady in the lane next to me waited for me to come into the lane at which point I passed the limit lines (both straight and left traffic lights were green), was surprised to find that the pavement of the opposite intersection was infront of me and got flashed by the red light camera...I should make it clear that there was an arrow on the road pointing straight (not left) in the lane i changed into.

 

Is it possible that this flash was pointed at me, if so what's the fine?

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2813:]]

By ramyk• 2 Sep 2011 12:39
ramyk

Hi everyone!Wanted to let everyone know that i did NOT get the violation! :DVery relieved :p

By marycatherine• 22 Aug 2011 02:13
marycatherine

2 questionsWhy did you have to change lanes to go straight if all lanes were designated as "proceed straight ahead"?Traffic lights with a straight green arrow usually mean that either no turns are allowed OR that there is a separate left turn green arrow - does that signal have that?In any event, wait to see if you get a 6000 riyal fine posted online

By marycatherine• 19 Aug 2011 23:31
marycatherine

According to the diagram, there is no corresponding "straight through" lane on the other side of the intersection where you were stopped.

If this is an accurate depiction, then the left turn sign may have been painted on the pavement and you didn't see it or it has faded to the point where it was difficult to discern. 

Continuing, if your diagram is accurate, then it would seem reasonable to a reasonable and experienced driver that this was indeed a left turn lane.

According to your description, you used your turn signal to show you did not want to go left but merge into the next lane to your left.  Why did you do that if there was a lane for you to proceed straight on?

Was the traffic signal a full green light or just a green straight arrow (which would indicate that there would be a green left arrow light on the same signal)?

If the former, you may be OK.  If the latter, you may have a violation. 

 

By marycatherine• 19 Aug 2011 18:12
marycatherine

So there were 4 lanes available on both sides of the intersection to go straight (both on the side you were on and the side you eventually decided to travel)?  Was the light a solid green or only a straight green arrow?  Was the signal equipped with sufficient lights to have a separate left turn green arrow?

You stated you had to put your turn signal on to indicate you didn't want to actually turn left and the car beside you let you proceed? Why would they need to if there was a lane in front of you to proceed (if there was one).

Perhaps the left turn sign was on the actual road and you missed it or it has become faded over time?

I'm not saying I'm right - but a reasonably experienced driver would be reasonably expected to "know" that he was in the left turn lane if there was  no lane in front of him to go straight - I don't know which intersection your're referring to and as I said, it's up to the police - the violation (if any) should be posted within a few days.

By ramyk• 19 Aug 2011 12:41
ramyk

@marycatherine It's not though! The lane had an arrow pointed straight ahead in the traffic light, i.e. It was not a designated left turn lane. If I hadn't seen that arrow pointed straight ahead I would've just done a U turn and came back into the intersection in the correct lane. The only reason I went straight is because of that arrow!

By marycatherine• 19 Aug 2011 12:18
marycatherine

What is misleading?  The driver was in the lane clearly marked for left hand turns, he went straight - it's a traffic violation pure and simple.  Whether he'll be fined or not is another story.

By ramyk• 19 Aug 2011 11:07
ramyk

Surely it's wrong for them to have a missleading arrow pointing straight ahead if the lane ends in the intersection? 

By wargame1• 19 Aug 2011 09:40
wargame1

That is an illegal maneuver. You should have just turned left and came back around. While I'm not angry at you, the inconsiderate driving culture here is amazing. 

By chitra sharma• 19 Aug 2011 07:40
chitra sharma

Hi I am sorry to say but I think you might end up getting a Qr 6000 fine because i know someone who did the same mistake and in return paid the fine. He met every captain at the traffic department to explain his case but of no use.

 

By neo1392• 19 Aug 2011 06:03
neo1392

Dont worry.  The cameras have video feeds....if the cop looking at it decides that the camera flashed by accident then your in luck otherwise you can always talk to a traffic police captain and explain the situation.  If that fails too then your gonna have to pay :(

By mnaveed• 19 Aug 2011 01:57
mnaveed

i can assure you will get a good gift, mind it fine for red light voilation is max 6000 QAR must inform th e QL when you recieved this surprise, be ready in next two days best of luck

By mnaveed• 19 Aug 2011 01:57
Rating: 2/5
mnaveed

i can assure you will get a good gift, mind it fine for red light voilation is max 6000 QAR must inform th e QL when you recieved this surprise, be ready in next two days best of luck

By ramyk• 19 Aug 2011 01:42
ramyk

Thanks for the reply.I'm asking the question just to make sure that I did not make a mistake and that, should I be fined, I would be able to file a complaint (because of the arrow indicating the lane is a designated 'straight' lane) 

By mesolazy• 19 Aug 2011 00:46
mesolazy

stop worrying about it and wait for 3 days...... check online on moi.gov.qa.......... whatever we tell u doesnt matter....wats done is done..... be careful the next time......

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