Failure To Obey A Traffic Control Device

What is a “traffic control device”?

A traffic control device is basically anything that communicates to drivers where the driver is supposed to go or what the driver is supposed to do. Although this could include many signs and signals such as stop signs, red lights, one-way signs and no passing signs, signs like those have their own specific violations. We see “failure to obey traffic control device“charges when drivers fail to obey other signs, such as:

  • A sign on a highway limiting travel for trucks to one lane.
  • A sign that says a lane is closed.
  • A line or symbol painted on the pavement that indicates where to drive.

This violation is kind of a catch-all for all of the random signs that exist that don’t have their own statutory section. So when a police officer pulls you over and he’s pretty sure you didn’t obey some sign, but he can’t think of a particular violation, he might charge you with this one.

What are the consequences?

This is a civil violation so the consequences are not severe. There will be a fine of a few hundred dollars, and this is a 2-point violation as far as the Arizona MVD is concerned.

Possible Defenses

Civil traffic tickets can be challenging to fight. With a ticket like this, we would be looking at things like whether or not the officer was actually in a position to see the alleged violation, or whether or not the traffic control device was properly placed and visible, and whether or not the driver in fact obeyed the traffic control device.

Email Us

Let’s take care of that ticket.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name

 

 

Latest Blog Posts

Crazy Car Crashes In Phoenix

Crazy Car Crashes In Phoenix

Most of us have done it – exceeded the speed limit from time to time. Sometimes it seems inevitable here in Phoenix and the highways of Arizona.

Another Trip to the MVD

Another Trip to the MVD

I feel like I’ve been picking on the MVD lately. I want to be clear that I have run into lots of helpful people at the MVD. But some of the experiences I’ve had there illustrate why an entity like the MVD can be so frustrating.