I was wondering if anyone knew the law on being behind a bus while in the turning lane.?

Question

I drive a Toyota Yaris ans was behind a city bus while turning left and couldn't see the arrow signal. By the time the bus cleared, I was following right behind it and the arrow had turned red. There was a traffic camera there and it took my picture. I was only driving 5 mph. Also I was only the 3rd car in line to turn on the arrow light, just so happens it turned red by the time the bus turned and I was already in the intersection. Do you think I will be able to fight if I receive a ticket?

Answer 1

Okay drive slow and be careful.

Make sure you can see the bus mirrors and try to make sure that you can see the signal.

If you entered the intersection before the light turned red then that turn wasn't illegal they can't give you a ticket.

Answer 2

If you couldn't see the arrow, you were too close to the bus. Subsequently, oncoming traffic which would have had a green light by then, wouldn't be able to see you either, which could have caused an accident.

If the light changed while you were in the intersection, you're OK. But if was red before you got there, you could have received a ticket.

Answer 3

You can try if the traffic camera that took your picture doesnt show up in court you automatically win you know.

Answer 4

No.  You are responsible for making sure the way is clear and you are legally able to continue on before driving.  The ticket will almost certainly stand.

Answer 5

Yeah, just go to court and talk to the judge. It would be a forfeiture anyways which means you'll only receive a fine at worse. So I guess it doesnt hurt to argue it.

Answer 6

No. Just pay the ticket because there is no way out of it. Red light cameras are 99.9 percent accurate. When you get the ticket you also get a print out of the exact seconds you passed through the light.

Answer 7

Unfortunately the facts are:

1) The light was red and

2) You knowingly allowed your view of the light to be obscured (certainly won't help your case).

If you get a ticket, you probably won't be able to fight it.

Answer 8

drive slow!

Answer 9

You shouldn't be that close behind any vehicle.  If a cop was sitting right there, you probably would have gotten a ticket, but I don't think that they will come after you for that.  Unless you caused an accident by doing this, then they probably won't even notice.  The cameras really aren't there to catch traffic offenders unless it is serious and possibly concerns an accident.

Answer 10

I don't think you'll be able to fight this one.  

There's a photograph of you turning when the light was red.  

That's a smoking gun scenario that cannot be disputed- whether you could see the light or not.  

It'll be counter-argued that if you couldn't see the light, you shouldn't have been in the intersection- you should have waited to proceed until you could see the light.