Pacific Northwest - Stop sign violation ticket

Hi,

I have been riding my 4-yr old mountain bike to Univ of Washington for past 4 years and haven't been in any accident or any violations so far. This Monday however, inside the campus, I overran a stop sign (after checking the cars on my left are waiting for a pedestrian to cross and there aren't any approaching cars from the front. Its a 3-way stop sign).

Its a little steep at the sign for the bicyclists and given there is a stop sign nearly 100 ft before that from another intersection which I take, my speed is generally between 2-3 mph at the maximum. A complete stop at the sign will mean pushing hard again.

Unluckily for me, there was a cop just next to the stop sign, the first I have seen in so many years and I have been given a ticket for $105. The only thing I was asked was whether I know what was wrong and when I told the cop that I'm sorry but I have overran the sign not stomping my feet down, I was asked to just not speak. Few students around came to help too but he just didn't relent.

If anyone has similar experience, please suggest if I should plead guilty or not guilty to the judge for the offence (Registered to the shoreline police division)? I'm not sure being a student I will be able to afford this money (probably higher than the bike cost itself, but am aware that I have to be more conscious and come to a complete stop no matter what).

thanks.

always plead not guilty. make the cop show up in court.

What do you expect a campus cop to do? It's the high light of their day!
If you can't pay the ticket, maybe the judge will let you sit it out in jail. That's far more educational than hanging around campus!

Seriously, as petty as it is, you ARE guilty.

Sounds like you didn't actually come to a stop which in most states is illegal.

Depending your laws, a stop doesn't have to mean putting your foot down. So just in case, read Bob Mionske:
http://www.velonews.com/article/3834

Interestingly, in Idaho cyclists do not have to come to a stop given the right conditions.

49-720. STOPPING -- TURN AND STOP SIGNALS.
A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.
A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic-control signal shall stop before entering the intersection, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn without stopping or may cautiously make a left-hand turn onto a one-way highway without stopping.

Which intersection is this?

Which intersection is this?

Its on the Stevens way in front of the padelford maths library. I took the route from macmohan hall to the hub.

Thanks to everyone for their replies so far.

always plead not guilty. make the cop show up in court.


That guarantees you'll be paying the full amount of the fine (if the officer appears in court).

You'll only receive a reduction by pleading guilty or, if allowed as in our city, you can send in full payment with an explanation, and the court will likely lower the fine and send you a partial refund (this is assuming you have a clean driving (biking?) record).

Its on the Stevens way in front of the padelford maths library. I took the route from macmohan hall to the hub.


Oh yes, that one's deadly even in a car - it's easy to miss and the cop hides down the hill. They are also looking for cars passing stopped buses. I used to park my car under Padelford and would drive Mason Rd. behind the power plant specifically to avoid that section of road. One evening, I was pulled over by the UWPD behind Meany Hall, and the officer accused me of passing a bus by the HUB. Odd, since I was on a different road, he obviously had no car or driver ID, someone must had radioed ahead with vague info.

I have no advice on your plea, though. Perhaps if you act nice, plead guilty with some excuses like you slowed and let the ped go, you were late for class, etc. and you didn't try to flee (which would probably have been easy), they may go easy on you. Or not. At least you realize, technically, it's the law.

Well, thanks a lot everyone for your suggestions. I will go ahead, plead guilty and hopefully the judge will reduce the fine.

See you in the bike rides later...

have a nice weekend !