Is it legal to warn other motorists in Midtown Atlanta, GA of Atlanta Police Department officers that are taking advantage of poorly placed ...

Question

Is it legal to warn other motorists in Midtown Atlanta, GA of Atlanta Police Department officers that are taking advantage of poorly placed traffic signs, and stopping a que of cars to write failure to obey a traffic signal device tickets? What would be legally permissible for a concerned and vigilant civilian to do to alert these motorists of the Atlanta Police Department actions? I have provided more background below.

Many drivers were pulled over by the Atlanta Police Department at the intersection of 17th Street and Peachtree Street NE for failure to make a right or left turn on June 21, 2011. The issue is that the signage for the illegal turn is only on the side closest to the stopped traffic, which for most drivers is difficult to view and react to, especially with high traffic volume.

I think that the city of Atlanta is being unfair to motorists with its traffic signage. I also believe, but I cannot confirm, that they recently added a sign with a red circle and slash on straight arrow; before they only had the black and white right and left turn only signs. This black and white right and left turn only signage does not indicate to the average motorist that going straight is illegal.

The Atlanta Police Department is aware of the poorly placed signage, and is entrapping motorists. I personally witnessed two Atlanta police officers on motorcycles write about 20 citations in the hour that I was present on June 21, 2011. If the city of Atlanta clearly wanted motorist to obey the signage laws they would place the signs on the far side of the intersection and make it more clear that going straight was illegal, or place a barrier to make 17th Street inaccessible from Peachtree Street NE.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Answer

If by warn you mean to post on the intenet, that's fine.

If you mean to flash headlights and put up warning signs nearby you could be arrested for obstruction.

I'd suggest contacting Channel 11 TV and their Commuter Dude (look at 11Alive.com ) to have them investigate.