Traffic Law Question...

[spike2763]

Actually if I remember correctly, there is a No U-Turn sign there. Unless they taken that down. So therefore that person making the illegal u-turn is at fault. But then again I don't know anything about traffic laws, stops.

Don't know if there is a sign or not, but remember reading in the paper that there is no uturn and the cops were ticketing for them

 

[aFTeRLiFe]

I am pretty sure and positive there is a sign there. I remember seeing it.

 

[Dixie]

There was one, and I can swear there is or was. It was to your left, as you go out to 235. I seen it a few times and just started shacking my head when I seen a few people doing it. Because I seen a couple people almost collide from the yield sign and U-turners.

If it was there, it's gone. That's a bad place to make a u-turn, I'm really surprised no one's gotten in an accident yet, I've seen quite I thought would collide.

 

[awpitt]

I am pretty sure and positive there is a sign there. I remember seeing it.

Sorry but there's no sign there. I live not far from that intersection and go through it at least once a day. If there is a sign there now, it's because SHA put one up last night.

 

[desertrat]

If it was there, it's gone. That's a bad place to make a u-turn, I'm really surprised no one's gotten in an accident yet, I've seen quite I thought would collide.

They could have made the exit from 235 S onto Cancellors a little wider for sure, but I have no problem making a u turn there. Just make sure you keep your eye on the traffic that might be turning in front of you in spite of the yield sign and you're good to go. For people that live down Chancellors Run what alternative is there if you want to go to the Hickory Hills center? Go straight and turn around in the drive way of the Credit Union and come back? Make a left and then a u turn at Town Creek?

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

They recently repaved Rt. 5 through that area of Golden Beach Rd. I don't know if when they restriped the road if they did anything different with the turn lanes into the businesses along there, but IMO the turn lane should begin at the first entrance to Burger King and continue up to Golden Beach Rd. and mark it right turn only like 301 through Waldorf. Sure you will get your jerks who ride that lane and then shoot back into the through lane like they do in Waldorf, but you have 5 exits from the Burger King to Golden Beach Rd., why make 5 short turn lanes into each business just make it right turn only.

 

[desertrat]

They recently repaved Rt. 5 through that area of Golden Beach Rd. I don't know if when they restriped the road if they did anything different with the turn lanes into the businesses along there, but IMO the turn lane should begin at the first entrance to Burger King and continue up to Golden Beach Rd. and mark it right turn only like 301 through Waldorf. Sure you will get your jerks who ride that lane and then shoot back into the through lane like they do in Waldorf, but you have 5 exits from the Burger King to Golden Beach Rd., why make 5 short turn lanes into each business just make it right turn only.

I don't claim to understand their logic, but it seems like they do that when it will help cars getting back out onto the road. Could that be the case there?

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

I don't claim to understand their logic, but it seems like they do that when it will help cars getting back out onto the road. Could that be the case there?

It might be, with 5 short turn lanes into the businesses instead of one long turn lane from Burger King down to the light at Golden Beach Rd., it might help people exiting those business's get back out on 5, but these people also have the option to exit from the rear of all these business's back by Arby's onto Golden Beach, then out to 5.

 

[desertrat]

It might be, with 5 short turn lanes into the businesses instead of one long turn lane from Burger King down to the light at Golden Beach Rd., it might help people exiting those business's get back out on 5, but these people also have the option to exit from the rear of all these business's back by Arby's onto Golden Beach, then out to 5.

Sounds like the same odd thing they did with the Wawa on 235 in California. They had to put an exit/entrance onto 235 even though there was another one already there.

 

[desertrat]

I think he said he only passed one car before he got to the entrance to the BP, but I guess passing is passing. I know the McDonalds entrance/exit is very close to the BP, so it wasn't like his purpose was to pass vehicles. But like they say, ignorance of the law is no excuse

Oh oh, this doesn't sound like a good time for this to be shrugged off in court.
STORY

“Aggressive driving behaviors include speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, running red lights or stop signs and using the shoulder to cut through traffic. These are all things that cause dangerous conditions on our roads and are leading to completely avoidable crashes and fatalities.”

 

[SoMDMama82]

Oh oh, this doesn't sound like a good time for this to be shrugged off in court.

“Aggressive driving behaviors include speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, running red lights or stop signs and using the shoulder to cut through traffic. These are all things that cause dangerous conditions on our roads and are leading to completely avoidable crashes and fatalities.”

STORY

I don't think that would apply, he did not use it to "cut through traffic", he used it to make a right turn. I've seen people drive on the shoulder to pass cars when traffic is backed up, then last minute cut back it into the traffic. That drives me crazy!

 

[desertrat]

I don't think that would apply, he did not use it to "cut through traffic", he used it to make a right turn. I've seen people drive on the shoulder to pass cars when traffic is backed up, then last minute cut back it into the traffic. That drives me crazy!

Let's hope the judge agrees.

 

[SoMDMama82]

Just wanted to give a follow up on my fiance's court case. We ended up not going before the judge because we overheard the State's Attorney talking to another person about a similar case which involved an accident in the same area. State's Attorney said no matter how long, how far, etc., it is illegal to drive on the shoulder for any reason. You are supposed to slow down in the slow lane and put your blinker one, then turn into the entrance, only crossing over the shoulder.

SO...he requested community service (8 hrs). No $135 (or whatever) fine, no points. Just a $25 community service fee. At least we won't be paying for the point on insurance for the next 3 years or so!

Good to know, because I see people do this all the time in this area, it was just habit to do is as well, just never got caught I guess. I just hope me making the turn from the slow lane from now on doesn't cause an accident, especially if baby is on board!

 

[MMDad]

SO...he requested community service (8 hrs). No $135 (or whatever) fine, no points. Just a $25 community service fee. At least we won't be paying for the point on insurance for the next 3 years or so!

How does community service work in St. Mary's? Do you call the prosecuter or what? I know somebody who got a ticket last week and she needs to know what to do.

 

[SoMDMama82]

How does community service work in St. Mary's? Do you call the prosecuter or what? I know somebody who got a ticket last week and she needs to know what to do.

Don't pay the fine, wait to get a letter in the mail with a court date. Show up 15 min. before court starts, when they open up the doors to the courtroom. When the State's Attorney asks you to come up and sign in, (s)he will ask if you wish to do community service. Depending on the ticket I guess is how many hrs you'll do. Then, you go over to the other courthouse, pay $25 cash, and pick from a list of things you wish to do.

He had to pick from: Helping with Special Olympics, Working at Sotterly Mansion (I guess like cutting grass and such), Cleaning up crap at Hughesville Animal Shelter, or working at a thrift store.

You can pick the day of the week, but they'll give you the date.

 

[SoMDMama82]

How does community service work in St. Mary's? Do you call the prosecuter or what? I know somebody who got a ticket last week and she needs to know what to do.

I'm not sure if you can call beforehand and request community service so you don't have to go to court. I would call the courthouse and ask, if he doesn't want to waste a day of work to go there.

 

[kwillia]

That's perfectly legal.

No service lane. That means that was legal, or if it was illegal - BP should shut down because NOBODY can make that turn anywhere, regardless, thus getting gas there would be illegal.

Unfortanently, Maryland has a way of playing games with this kind of stuff.

Looks like the judge didn't agree with you...

 

[desertrat]

Don't pay the fine, wait to get a letter in the mail with a court date. Show up 15 min. before court starts, when they open up the doors to the courtroom. When the State's Attorney asks you to come up and sign in, (s)he will ask if you wish to do community service. Depending on the ticket I guess is how many hrs you'll do. Then, you go over to the other courthouse, pay $25 cash, and pick from a list of things you wish to do.

He had to pick from: Helping with Special Olympics, Working at Sotterly Mansion (I guess like cutting grass and such), Cleaning up crap at Hughesville Animal Shelter, or working at a thrift store.

You can pick the day of the week, but they'll give you the date.

I'd rather go to jail than spend the day cleaning up dog crap.

 

[PrchJrkr]

I'd rather go to jail than spend the day cleaning up dog crap.

I got a $90 fine for 45 in a 30 right past SMCM. I thought about the CS option and finally figured 8 hours was worth more than the fine and insurance increase.

 

[aps45819]

I'm not sure if you can call beforehand and request community service so you don't have to go to court.

Call the State's Attorney's office and they'll have a list of options, including paying double the fine to some charity.
MD justice depends on how much money you have.