Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi all,

Was hoping someone might be able to advise if it's worth appealing or if I should just pay up. This has recently popped up on a junction. And the signage confused me. The first photo below is of the sign on approach.

I know I should follow a blue sign, but the wording beneath threw me off, saying except buses. All other signage in the city for turns not allowed has a red sign with a strike through it like the last image below, which means nobody can make that turn 'except buses' which is what I took this sign for in error believing only buses could turn left due to the wording.

There is no other signs or writing on the road. But I know I should be following a blue sign, I just got into a panic as I turned up to a road I have been turning at for the last 15 years with no issues and mistook the wording. Probably my fauly entirely with no leg to stand on but wanted to ask anyway on the off-chance.

Thanks in advance. 

The two signs don't mean the same thing, although I accept you got a bit confused. The first sign says all "traffic must turn left", with a qualifier plate below that gives exceptions to the arrow.

The second sign means "No Right Turn" with the plate below giving exceptions, with a No Left Turn similarly. These signs mean traffic must drive straight ahead and must not turn (left or right), the other sign means traffic MUST make a turn.

I suggest you submit reps on the basis that you have driven this way for 15 years at least, and it was a shock coming to this sign and you were therefore confused and drove straight on, (or turned right; you don't say which).

They may shoot themselves in the foot in their rejection, but unless they do, I can't see a win here at the adjudicators where the full PCN penalty is in play.

Thanks appreciate the reply.

I went back down there today and I noticed this too, so the road in question has traffic calming measures in place where the oncoming cars have right of way so you have to stop at the give way marks. This is exactly where this other sign is completely obsucring the left turn only sign, so when you pull off there's a very high chance that you will miss the sign, coupled with no road markings or prior signage. Do you think this is worth appealing on those grounds?