Disobeying a Traffic Control Device

Last updated on April 30, 2021

Disobeying a traffic control device is just one of what may seem like endless potential traffic violations within the Illinois code. While it is not the most serious offense under the law, it can be problematic for a number of reasons. This citation is often issued as one of several tickets during a traffic stop, or as the result of a traffic accident. Also, depending on your driving history, a conviction for this moving violation may result in a suspension of your driving privileges.

The offense of disobeying a traffic-control device under Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-305 can cover a number of situations that any one of us can find ourselves in on any day. The title of the law seems simple enough, but embedded in the actual language of the law are numerous ways in which it can be violated. The good news is that there are just as many ways to defend a charge of disobeying a traffic control device.

 

Description of “Disobeying A Traffic Control Device”

Under the law, a driver has the obligation to obey all traffic control devices present on the roads in Illinois. Most drivers (hopefully!) know how a traffic light at an intersection works, but that are many other, less common, signs and devices on our roadways. The following are all considered traffic control devices under the Illinois Vehicle Code:

• No left turn signs;
• Yield signs;
• Traffic lights;
• Caution or slow signs;
• Wrong way signs; and,
• All other traffic-control devices appointed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

These signs and devices are created to do exactly as they describe, control traffic. Failing to obey a device is cause for a police officer to stop your vehicle and issue a ticket.

Another way in which a person can get a ticket and be charged with violating this law is by employing a trick that most have done at one time or another. This law prohibits someone from leaving the roadway and traveling across private property to avoid compliance with an official traffic control device. In other words, cutting through a parking lot to avoid a traffic signal, something most people have done at one time or another, is illegal.

Penalties and Defenses

In most cases a violation of this law results in a simple traffic ticket. A person can either pay the fine and go to traffic school, or pay the fine and have it go on his or her record as a violation. There are circumstances in which getting this ticket can be the final straw that puts the offender over the limit of traffic violations allowed, which could result in even more serious penalties. Or it could be one in a series of violations that must all be aggressively defended.

No matter what your situation is, if you have been charged with disobeying a traffic control device under Illinois law, you should speak with an attorney about it. When you contact Driver Defense Team, we will help you understand what your options are, how we can defend you, and what steps you need to take next. Contact us today so you can better understand your situation and what we can do for you.