California "Blue Signs" Signifying 65' Restrictions

Okay.... so I get a load to 3200 Washington Blvd in Vernon, CA.

Do my plan, arrive to 3200 Washington Blvd and find that it is not the destination. Call the shipper to find out that it should be 3200 East Washington Blvd.

So, I do my plan, find the main road that will take me to the freeway, all is good. While on the main road taking me to the freeway, I get pulled over by Culver City Police. The officer writes me up for being "too long" in the part of the city that I was traveling and that I can only be 65' in length. I indicate that my trailer tandems are set at the California standard. He indicates that there are special "blue signs" posted along the roadway that signify the 65' length restrictions. I indicate that I had never heard of the signs, had never seen the signs and that the only signs that I pay special close attention to are the "No Truck" signs that are common throughout the entire United States. He indicates that ignorance is not a defense and that I should know better, being a professional driver, holding a Class A Driver License.

Thus, he writes me a "Notice to Appear" citing Code & Section 35401(A) "Vehicle exceeding state max combo length of 65', measures at 73'.

So, I realize that ignorance is not a defense, but where in the heck do I know about these special blue signs? I knew nothing about them before and it was only after I received this ticket that I have started to notice them. I certainly do not see these signs listed in my Trucker's Road Atlas, nor are there any special notes that indicate that the road I was traveling was a restricted locale.

The officer indicated that the citation is not a moving violation and will not go against my points. However, I am concerned about CSA scores and am not sure whether this would go against the CSA. I have not yet checked the amount of the fine.

Is this something I should argue on principle, or should I not waste my time and money and just pay the fine.... Chalking it up to a "lesson learned" opportunity?

 

Yeah... I read all signs. This sign is a blue sign with a "T" on it. That's a real helpful sign if ya don't know what the hell it means.

Your advice was about as helpful as the blue sign and tits on a ham sandwich.

 

No inspection was conducted. Just asked for my CDL and medical card. No inspection and no other issues.

 

On the basis of arguing to the court on principle, why are these blue signs not listed in the Trucker Atlas? Why are these blue signs not accompanied with some further indication of what they mean? Why are these blue signs a "standard California treat"? How am I supposed to know what the blue sign means if it isn't listed in the standard tools that we use, or otherwise signified by some other sign that accompanies the blue sign?

In essence, one must have Internet capability to know what the blue signs mean AND have a general, further idea of more restricted routes that aren't listed in the Truckers Atlas. Some drivers are not Internet schooled, nor do they have the capability.