License and Registration, Please

Poor design can be dangerous. Especially when it involves driving in South St. Louis City.

I was stopped at a red light in the left lane of a two lane street. The light turned green and I proceeded straight crossing the street.

Then I saw those cherries light up behind me.

I was pulled over and told that I drove straight through a left turn ONLY lane. Now, I knew exactly what I was doing, though I played dumb with the cop. Yes, I admit I was in the left turn lane. But a left turn ONLY lane? I'm not sure about that. Really, there are two major flaws in the "left turn only lane" argument:

A. The light is a solid green light. Not a green arrow. Once again, no green arrow. Anywhere.

B. The lane continues on across the street for at least 16 more blocks. Coincidentally, once you continue across the street the RIGHT lane is the one that dead ends, not the LEFT.

The only indication of a left turn lane is an left turn arrow painted on the ground. The way I see it, there are several conflicting signals going on. So which one am I suppose to listen too?

Luckily, I was let off with a warning.

Thank you STLPD!