Violation of a Traffic Control Device in Florida

 Traffic Control Devices

Traffic control devices are all of the signs and traffic light signals that are present on roadways for a driver to see so that they can follow the rules of the device.

When a driver does not follow the specific action that is required for the traffic control device then they will be penalized with a violation of a traffic control device charge. For example, if a driver does not come to a complete stop at a stop sign or if a driver does not stop at a red light they will have violated a traffic control device.

The most common traffic control device violations are:

• Running a red light
• Failure to yield or stop at a stop sign or yield sign
• Illegal U-turn
• Ignoring flashing lights or portable
• Failure to slow down in construction zones
• Stopping on or in the middle of a crosswalk
• Speeding
• Railroad crossing infractions

Why Traffic Control Devices are Important

Traffic control devices are located all over parkways, highways, and residential roads, for the purpose of ensuring safety and coordination for drivers. They are designed to let drivers know what they need to do in order to ensure a safe drive.

Traffic control devices include but are not limited to, speed limit signs, traffic lights, pedestrian crossing signs, pedestrian crossing lights, railroad crossing signs and lights, lane merging signs, speed hump signs, school zone signs, school zone lights, construction work signs, reduce speed signs, stop signs and yield signs.

When a driver receives their license it is a driver’s responsibility to know the meanings of all traffic control devices and by accepting their license they agree to follow the laws of the road.

Penalties of Violating a Traffic Control Device

The penalties for violating a traffic control device vary upon the device that was violated. For example running a red light typically has a base fine of 158 dollars whereas running a stop sign can be anywhere from 60 to 300 dollars. Typically the fines for violation of a traffic control device will range anywhere between 100 dollars to 300 dollars, but can be far higher if other violations were committed or if an accident occurred because of the violation.

In addition, most violations of traffic control devices add three points on an individual’s driver’s license. Three points on an individual’s driving record will most definitely raise insurance rates and could result in a person’s license getting suspended. Further consequences would include a person’s inability to work due to their license being suspended, or difficulty getting to work because of the suspension, which could result in the loss of a job.

Defenses for Violation of a Traffic Control Device

There is a multitude of defenses for violation of traffic control devices being that there are numerous devices out there on the road and every individual’s case will have different factors to be considered.

Some common defenses that apply to violation of a traffic device include:

• The sign was bent or damaged and the driver could not see what the sign said
• Limit line for stop sign, yielded sign, or crosswalk was faded and was barely noticeable for the driver to make a safe stop
• Driver would have been in danger if they did not break the rules of the sign or device
• Accusing police officer based the charge on their opinion rather than having actual proof
• New sign was put up in an area that the driver typically drives in and the driver was unaware of the change

Defenses for a violation of a traffic control device are commonly there but drivers typically just accept the penalties and damages without fighting it in court.

Call us today

If you have been unjustly charged with a moving violation that is in regards to a violation of a traffic control device, you should contact an experienced lawyer and allow them to fight your defense and get your charges reduced or dismissed.

Call our experienced, professional, and aggressive attorneys today so that we can analyze your case and help you fight your charge. We have a plethora of experience fighting criminal law and violation of traffic control device cases and we have the knowledge it takes to help you receive optimal results. We are available 24 hours a day, and we are only a phone call away. Call now and set up a free consultation! 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848).