Last Updated on June 9, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
Disobeying Warning Signs in Royse City: Understanding the Law and Protecting Your Record
Disregard Warning Signs and Barricades
Royse City, like many rapidly growing communities in Texas, is consistently undergoing road construction and maintenance. This means drivers frequently encounter warning signs and barricades designed to ensure safety in work zones and hazardous areas. Unfortunately, disobeying these warning signs is a common traffic violation that can lead to significant penalties if not handled correctly in Royse City Municipal Court.
This article aims to explain the specifics of Texas law regarding disobeying warning signs and how Beltz Law Group can help you properly resolve such a case in Royse City. If you would like to discuss your traffic tickets in Royse City, Texas, with an experienced attorney, contact our legal professionals today at 214-321-4105.
Understanding the Law: Texas Transportation Code Section 472.022
The relevant legal provision that applies to disobeying warning signs and barricades is Section 472.022 of the Texas Transportation Code:
Sec. 472.022. OBEYING WARNING SIGNS AND BARRICADES. (a) A person commits an offense if the person: (1) disobeys the instructions, signals, warnings, or markings of a warning sign; or (2) drives around a barricade. (b) This section does not apply to: (1) a person who is following the directions of a police officer; or (2) a person, including an employee of the department, a political subdivision of this state, or a contractor or subcontractor, whose duties require the person to go beyond or around a barricade. (c) Each violation of this section is a separate offense. (d) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $1 or more than $200, except that: (1) if the
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offense is committed in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers are present and any written notice to appear issued for the offense states on its face that workers were present when the offense was committed, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $2 or more than $400; or (2) if a person commits an offense under Subsection (a) where a warning sign or barricade has been placed because water is over any portion of a road, street, or highway, the offense is a Class B misdemeanor. (e) In this section: (1) “Barricade” means an obstruction… placed to prevent the passage of motor vehicles over the road… during construction, repair, or dangerous conditions. (2) “Construction or maintenance work zone” means a portion of a highway or street… where highway construction or maintenance is being undertaken… and that is marked by signs: (i) indicating that it is a construction or maintenance work zone; (ii) indicating where the zone begins and ends; and (iii) stating: “Fines double when workers present.” (3) “Warning sign” means a signal, marking, or device placed on a barricade or on a road… during construction, repair, or dangerous conditions by the department, a political subdivision… or a contractor or subcontractor to warn or regulate motor vehicular traffic. The term includes a flagger… (f) Articles 45.051 and 45.0511, Code of Criminal Procedure, do not apply to an offense under this section committed in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers are present.
Key Elements for a Valid Disobeying Warning Sign Citation:
Based on this statute and legal interpretation, for a valid citation for disobeying a warning sign to be issued, several elements should generally be present:
- Specific Instructions: The warning sign must provide clear, specific instructions or warnings that a driver can follow. A generic sign like “road work” is typically insufficient on its own to justify a “disobeying warning sign” violation, as it doesn’t instruct specific driver action.
- Proper Placement: In the context of a construction or maintenance work zone, the signs indicating the work zone (and its specific rules like “Fines double when workers present”) must be placed at both the beginning and the end of the zone. This clearly delineates the area where the special rules apply.
- No Defects: The warning sign or barricade itself cannot be defective, damaged, obscured, or displaced in such a way that it is not reasonably visible or understandable to a driver.
- Applicability: The instructions on the sign or barricade must apply to the specific act the driver is accused of committing.
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The Consequences of a Conviction
A conviction for disobeying a warning sign can have significant penalties, particularly if it occurred in a construction zone with workers present (where fines are doubled) or due to water over the road (a Class B misdemeanor). Beyond the fines, a conviction goes on your driving record, potentially leading to:
- Increased Insurance Premiums: Insurance companies often view these violations as a sign of increased risk, leading to higher rates.
- Driver’s License Issues: Accumulating traffic convictions can contribute to potential driver’s license suspension by the Texas DPS.
How Beltz Law Group Can Help You
If you’ve received a citation for disobeying a warning sign in Royse City, it’s crucial not to simply pay the fine, as this typically results in a permanent conviction. Our experienced Royse City Traffic Ticket Attorneys at Beltz Law Group will review your case meticulously to identify potential defenses.
We will investigate:
- The specifics of the warning sign or barricade in question.
- Whether proper signage was in place at the beginning and end of the zone.
- The condition and visibility of the sign.
- Whether workers were actually present at the time of the alleged offense, if applicable.
- Any other procedural or factual discrepancies.
We have handled thousands of traffic tickets, including speeding tickets and warning sign violations, in Royse City Municipal Court and the surrounding communities. Our goal is always to protect your driving record through negotiation for dismissal or deferred disposition, or by mounting a robust defense at trial if necessary.
If you have a warning sign violation you would like our office to review, contact our experienced legal team today. Give our Royse City ticket lawyers a call at 214-321-4105.
