Some Left Turns Prove Costly In Augusta

Augusta, GA—Deputy James Paugh, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office: “I have over 22 of them between basically 2 hours.“

Nearly 2 dozen warnings were handed out for making this illegal left turn, from Washington Road onto I-20.

Cpl. Mike Lewis, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office: “There’s a lot of people making that left turn even though there’s a sign there stating that you can’t do it.“

Our cameras were rolling for 30 minutes, as Corporal Mike Lewis and his partner, Deputy James Paugh, pulled over car after car.

Deputy Paugh, during traffic stop: “The reason I stopped you, sir, right back here where you made your left turn at, there’s a sign there that says no left turn there is allowed.“

Driver: “I didn’t see it.“

Barclay Bishop, reporting: “The sign is pretty clear.“

Driver: “Well, now that they pointed it out, but I mean, it’s just normally you would take a left right over there, I mean it doesn’t seem like there are too many lanes of traffic, so…“

There’s never been a turn lane, but there has been a ramp on the right, closed now because of construction…causing these folks, to turn left. Some claiming they didn’t see the sign.

Deputy Paugh: “The reason we don’t want you to turn left there is you have to cross 3 lanes of traffic.“

Others, like this guy…say they knew better, just thought they’d chance it.

Driver: “I just bit the bullet and said, ‘I’ll try it today.‘“

So, why not just go down one more light and turn around?

Driver: “Yeah, I guess I could have pulled in and turned around. I’ve done that before, but today it was wide open and I was like, ‘you know what, I’m going to try it today.‘“

Can’t fault him for being honest…but the truth behind it all is, the sign is only there to protect you.

Cpl. Mike Lewis: “It’s a traffic hazard. That intersection’ not set up for a left turn light, so anytime you have people violating the law and making that left turn, that could cause a traffic accident, it could back up traffic in that left lane going westbound on Washington Road. If you want to pay a fine…it’s worth the risk.“

The ramp will be open sometime at the end of July, or he beginning of August…as for the fine if you turn left illegally, it will cost you at least $280.00.