"Obey Warning Signs. State Law" - Most useless TexDOT sign?

[surprise_i'm_armed]

For years I have always chuckled at the signs which TexDOT posts
which state "Obey Warning Signs. State Law."

Maybe I haven't been on enough out-of-Texas road trips to verify this,
but I believe that Texas may be unique in posting this particular sign.

My assumption has always been is that if a road sign is posted, you must
comply with it. Why must another sign be posted to state the obvious??

The MUTCD is the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices. It is published
by the federal government and details how all road signs in the US must look.
This is why road signs are pretty consistent from state to state, even when you
are on a local or state road, as contrasted with the Interstate and US Highways.

I did a cursory search on the MUTCD (didn't really search too hard) but could not
find this sign. Texas also posts its own "style book" document for signs but I
don't know if this sign is in there.

Does anyone else find this sign kind of useless and unique...or is it just me?

TIA / SIA

[PBratton]

Well, they used to read: "Must Observe Waring Signs".

I'm certain that some attorney, (no offense meant to those reading this that hold that occupation...), got a ticket in a construction zone and went to court stating that he did most certainly observe the signs. Was he supposed to obey them as well?

[txcharvel]

I did a cursory search on the MUTCD (didn't really search too hard) but could not
find this sign. Texas also posts its own "style book" document for signs but I
don't know if this sign is in there.

If you couldn't find the sign, does that mean we don't have to obey it? Of course we have to obey the other signs. These signs includes all signs that the sign we don't need to obey tells us we need to obey. Correct?

[howdy]

I always "observed" the Burma Shave signs.

[ScooterSissy]

I think they are hinged sings, and can be quickly changed to other "useful" signs when needed - like "bridges may ice in cold".

[TomsTXCHL]

We moved here 10 years ago and I still think they are the Dumbest. Signs. Ever.

[gljjt]

I believe that those orange warning signs with a speed limit are not enforceable. I think to be enforceable, per the transportation code, a speed limit sign had to be black on white. I have noticed that those warning signs now are starting to be the regular rectangular black on white speed limit sign mounted on the orange diamond shipped warning sign. Probably to make them subject to enforcement.

[rbwhatever1]

Some of those speed limit signs are pretty useless as well. Seems like I'm the only idiot that obeys them or everybody else is going too fast to see em...

[jmorris]

Transportation Code 472.022: Obeying Warning Signs and Barricades.

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.

My guess is to insure driver's are aware that of the above. I've seen enough violations to believe the majority aren't.

[Rex B]

I think that message was "filler" because they couldn't think of anything else worth telling us.
Remember those signs cost a million dollars each. You would think they could use them for, oh, I don't know ...relay traffic conditions ahead?

[gljjt]

Transportation Code 472.022: Obeying Warning Signs and Barricades.

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.

My guess is to insure driver's are aware that of the above. I've seen enough violations to believe the majority aren't.

Read the definition of warning sign in this section. It applies to temporary conditions, construction, weather, etc. Those may be enforceable for speed. The permanent orange signs are advisory signs. Pretty sure that are not enforceable. These are the ones you see on turns, curves, exit ramps, etc. Google advisory signs. I know I saw this in the transportation code once, but an mobile and can't look it up now.

[RPBrown]

Mah, the worst signs are deer crossing signs. Everyone knows deer can't read :)

[android]

Only regulatory signs (typically those with black, white or red writing or symbols) are enforceable.

Thus TXDOT puts up a black and white sign telling you that you must obey the yellow warning signs that are typically only advisory.

This allows you to be ticketed in a work zone if you don't follow those signs.

for the most part, states follow the USDOT MUTCD guide for signs, stripes, intersections, etc... It makes our driving experience common from state to state.

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part ... ngdesc.htm

[jmorris]

Transportation Code 472.022: Obeying Warning Signs and Barricades.

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.

My guess is to insure driver's are aware that of the above. I've seen enough violations to believe the majority aren't.

Read the definition of warning sign in this section. It applies to temporary conditions, construction, weather, etc. Those may be enforceable for speed. The permanent orange signs are advisory signs. Pretty sure that are not enforceable. These are the ones you see on turns, curves, exit ramps, etc. Google advisory signs. I know I saw this in the transportation code once, but an mobile and can't look it up now.

Correct, I didn't have any luck finding the code on advisory signs.