New 'no Left Turn Sig' 144(9)

I have been taking the same route to work for the past 5 years, but over the weekend they installed a no left turn sign. So in repeating my habitual pattern on the Monday I made the left and got a 144(9) ticket. I have read that if a sign is brand new and you can prove you regularly use that route you can have the ticket dropped. Though the time frame is for the JP to determine for the new factor, as anyone heard of this defense before?

I have a similar question. Got a ticket coming out of Liberty Village, turning left onto Dufferin from Liberty Street (which ends at Dufferin) The sign was not there the last time I drove this - any ideas?

thanks all

Signs are absolute liability offences, there are no "due diligence" defences available for them. Courts are only interested in whether you disobeyed the sign or not, "the why" may affect your sentencing for a reduced fine.

afaik, the 'New' are more of a courtesy rather than a requirement. In my area they installed a new stop sign near a school and for a few weeks they had a flashing red light atop the sign; it's since been removed. I didn't find anything in the HTA that talks about "new signs" http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/e ... 0615_e.htm

that's what I figured - thanks for replying though