I was leaving a mall which you can only turn right, and I had to go across 3 lanes to get into the left turn lane, and kept looking to my left to be sure it was safe. The problem is when I was sitting at the light, the sign was 15' above my car and wasn't noticeable at all, especially the way our cars sit low and head near the ceiling. I was admiring all the officers and their motorcyles to the left of me in the parking lot for about 2 minutes, then the light turned and I made the u-turn safely. While I was still looking at the police officers, one pointed at me and I just waved back, then I noticed him hopping on his bike and pulling me over. I had no idea why and he told me I made an illegal u-turn. I was is total disbelief and he said if I didn't believe him to go back there. He wrote me the $169 ticket and rode off. So I headed back there and it was easy to see when you are driving straight and moving into the turn lane. They should at least have another smaller sign somewhere lower or at least near the turn signal so it is plain as day. All I know I was being more careful then ever, since the police were all together waiting for some one like me to make the idiotic mistake. Really made me feel like a complete idiot. I'll be heading to court next week to fight a battle that I am sure to lose, just to keep the points off my record. Second ticket in 20 years, so I am not a wreckless driver. The insurance company will love it.