I got a ticket for making an illegal left turn at an intersection
(Westlake Village, CA - an area I'm not familiar with). There were 2
signs in front of the left-hand lane I started off in, but they didn't
register. The first was of a red circle with red line through a
U-turn, the second was one of those signs that means blind curve
ahead. Anyway, there was no text on either of these signs, and I
believe that that was why it didn't click in my brain (there are
studies that show that some people understand words better while
others recognize symbols better). Anyway, I'm going to contest this in
court on Monday, and I was wondering if I actually have a case.

First part: Is there a law that says that traffic signs should have
text as well as symbols?

Btw, I've already checked the DMV traffic handbook for drivers, and it
says that "A red circle with a red line through it always means NO.
The picture inside the circle shows what you cannot do. The sign may
be shown with or without words under it." Though this statement says
that text doesn't isn't necessary, is there some other LAW that says
otherwise? Exact references would be appreciated since I will have to
see a judge next week.

Second part: Anyone know of a published study about differences in
recognition (text vs. symbols)?

THANK YOU!
CJ

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Clarification of Question by enilorac-ga on 23 Nov 2004 13:39 PST

Mistake... I made an illegal U-Turn.

I know that I made a mistake in making that U-turn. My case isn't that
I didn't do it, it's that the representation of the law (sign with
symbol but no text) is flawed.

If you swear in court that you are unable to understand graphic
traffic signs without text (which probably represents the majority of
traffic signs), I think you would be making a good case for the judge
to revoke your license.  You made a mistake, a clear and legal sign
was present, and you got caught. I know this isn't what you wanted to
hear, but you have no case.