Last Updated on July 22, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
Understanding “Disregard Warning Sign or Barricade” Traffic Tickets in Texas (Transportation Code 472.022)
Traffic Ticket Defense Texas
In bustling areas like Dallas and Fort Worth, construction zones and unexpected road hazards are a common sight. Unfortunately, this also means that “Disregard Warning Sign or Barricade” tickets are a frequent occurrence. These citations, often issued when drivers fail to heed warnings or bypass obstructions, can have significant consequences for your driving record and insurance rates. It’s crucial to understand the law and your rights if you’re facing such a charge.
The Beltz Law Group regularly assists clients with these types of violations. We highly recommend discussing your specific situation with an experienced traffic ticket attorney before deciding how to resolve your case. To speak with our team, call us today at 214-321-4105.
The Law: Texas Transportation Code, Section 472.022
The offense of disregarding warning signs or barricades is defined in Texas Transportation Code Section 472.022: OBEYING WARNING SIGNS AND BARRICADES. This statute clearly outlines what constitutes a violation:
(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.
Simply put, if you ignore a sign meant to warn you or tell you what to do, or if you go around a physical barrier put in place to block a road, you could be cited.
What Does This Mean for Drivers?
This law covers a broad range of situations. Here’s a breakdown of key definitions and exceptions:
- “Warning Sign” Defined: This isn’t just about static signs. A “warning sign” includes any signal, marking, or device placed by authorized entities (like the Department of Transportation, a city, or contractors) to warn or direct traffic during construction, repair, or dangerous conditions. It even includes a flagger actively directing traffic around or on the roadway.
- “Barricade” Defined: A “barricade” is an obstruction placed across a road by authorized entities to prevent vehicles from passing, typically during construction, repairs, or dangerous conditions.
- “Disobeying” vs. “Driving Around”:
- Disobeying a warning sign could mean failing to slow down for a “Road Work Ahead” sign, ignoring a “Merge Left” instruction, or not following a flagger’s hand signals.
- Driving around a barricade is more straightforward – it means physically going past or around a barrier intended to block the road.
North Texas Traffic Ticket Defense Lawyer
Important Exceptions to the Rule
Section 472.022 includes important exceptions where the law does not apply:
- Following Police Officer Directions: If a police officer directs you to do something that contradicts a sign or barricade, you must follow the officer’s instructions (Section (b)(1)).
- Authorized Personnel: This law does not apply to individuals whose duties require them to go beyond or around a barricade (Section (b)(2)). This includes employees of the Department of Transportation, political subdivisions, or authorized contractors/subcontractors working in the area.
Penalties and Increased Fines
Violations of this section are misdemeanors, and the fines can vary significantly:
- Standard Fine: Generally, an offense under this section is punishable by a fine of $1 to $200 (Section (d)).
- Construction/Maintenance Work Zone with Workers Present: This is where fines can double! If the offense occurs in a designated “construction or maintenance work zone” (marked with specific signs, including “Fines double when workers present”) and workers are actually present, the fine increases to $2 to $400 (Section (d)(1)). The ticket itself must state that workers were present.
- Water Over Road: If the warning sign or barricade was placed because water is over any portion of the road, street, or highway, the offense becomes a Class B misdemeanor. This is a more serious offense with potentially higher fines and even jail time (though rare for a first offense of this nature), reflecting the significant danger of driving through flooded areas (Section (d)(2)).
It’s also important to note that each violation is considered a separate offense (Section (c)).
Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney
Why You Need a Traffic Ticket Attorney
Given the varying circumstances and potential penalties, an experienced traffic ticket attorney can be invaluable in defending a “Disregard Warning Sign or Barricade” ticket. Here’s how we can help:
- Assess Placement and Legibility: We will review the details of your case to determine if the signs or barricades were appropriately placed, clearly visible, and legible according to traffic control standards. Misplaced, obscured, or damaged signs could be a strong defense.
- Challenge “Instructions, Signals, Warnings, or Markings”: We can argue whether the instructions were clear enough to be followed, especially if they were ambiguous or conflicting.
- Investigate “Workers Present”: If your ticket states “workers present” and the fine is doubled, we can investigate whether workers were indeed actively present at the exact time of the alleged offense.
- Identify Applicable Exceptions: We’ll determine if any of the statutory exceptions, such as following an officer’s directions, apply to your situation.
- Protect Your Driving Record: These are considered “moving violations,” which can lead to points on your driving record, potentially increasing your insurance rates and even impacting your driving privileges. Our goal is to minimize these negative effects, aiming for dismissal or a reduction of the charge.
- Negotiate with Prosecutors: We can leverage our experience to negotiate with prosecutors for a favorable outcome, such as deferred disposition, a reduced fine, or dismissal.
Don’t Go It Alone – Contact Beltz Law Group
A “Disregard Warning Sign or Barricade” ticket is more than just a minor inconvenience. Its impact can extend to your finances and your ability to drive. Before you pay the fine or decide how to handle your case, consult with a qualified legal professional.
The attorneys at Beltz Law Group are here to provide comprehensive defense for traffic tickets in North Texas. Call us today at 214-321-4105 to discuss your specific situation and explore your best options.
