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.
Latest Blog Posts
East Mesa Justice Court
East Mesa Justice Court is a court of limited jurisdiction, meaning it handles civil cases involving less than $10,000, civil and criminal traffic violations, and misdemeanors. If you receive a ticket from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office or Arizona Department of Public Safety inside the Court’s precinct, your case will be handled here.
Private Home Destroyed by the Police, City Not Liable
Police were pursuing an armed person who had allegedly shoplifted some merchandise from a wal-mart. The alleged shoplifter took refuge in a private home and a police standoff followed. Over the course of 19 hours, the police SWAT team “fired gas munition and 40-millimeter rounds through the windows, drove an armored vehicle through the doors, tossed flash-bang grenades inside and used explosives to blow out the walls,” according to a Washington Post article. By the time the police were done with the home, it had to be demolished. You can see why in the picture above.