Didn't See a New Traffic Sign? What You Need to Know

Question: I routinely drive in a particular area and was recently ticketed for turning right at a red light. I was told that a new sign prohibited right turns on red. I had driven this route many times before and did not notice the sign, which appeared to have been installed only recently. Is there any way to find out when the sign was installed? And can I ask for some leeway because I did not know the restriction was there?

A new traffic sign does not necessarily mean that you are exempt from obeying it simply because you did not notice it. Once a traffic control sign is properly posted and in effect, drivers are expected to observe and obey it.

However, if you believe that a sign was recently installed, was difficult to see, or was not properly positioned, it may be worthwhile to investigate the circumstances before deciding how to deal with a ticket.

When Was the Sign Installed?

The municipality responsible for the road should be able to tell you when a traffic sign was installed or when a traffic restriction was changed. In Vancouver, for example, you can contact the City of Vancouver and ask the appropriate department whether it has a record of the sign installation or traffic-control change.

You may also want to return to the location in daylight and look carefully at the sign's position and visibility. Consider whether it is clearly visible to a driver approaching the intersection, whether anything obstructs it, and whether its placement gives a driver a reasonable opportunity to see and understand the restriction.

If you are disputing a ticket, information about when and how the sign was installed may be relevant to your case. That is different from simply saying that you did not see the sign.

What About Asking for Leniency?

There is an important distinction between disputing the allegation and asking for consideration of the penalty.

If you believe the sign was not properly posted or that there is another reason you did not commit the offence, you can dispute the ticket. If you accept that you committed the offence but want the circumstances taken into account, you can explain those circumstances when dealing with the penalty.

For example, you might explain that the restriction was new, that you had routinely used the route before the sign was installed, and that you did not see the sign. If relevant, you could also explain your financial circumstances or ask for additional time to pay.

There is no guarantee that a request for leniency will be successful. The fact that a sign was new or that you did not notice it does not automatically cancel a ticket. Your best approach is to provide accurate information and explain the circumstances clearly rather than assuming that an unfamiliar or recently installed sign gives you an exemption from the rule.

If you decide to dispute the ticket or seek a reduction in the penalty, see Disputing the Penalty for information about the options available to you.

Learn More

• Do I Have to Obey the Sign?
• Right Turn on Red
• Regulatory and Advisory Signs