"Failure to obey a traffic control device" means that the driver has not obeyed a recognized, legal traffic device such as a speed limit sign, traffic light, pavement markings or other signage, according to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Common violations include running a stop sign, driving through a red light, passing in a designated no-passing zone, ignoring a yield sign and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
Oregon State Statutes note that a vehicle driver can be issued a ticket for failure to obey a traffic control device if the driver does not obey the instructions of the device or does not display the legally appropriate response to a traffic control device. The driver can be issued a citation for one or both of the two failures to obey.
If a driver is speeding, a police officer can issue a citation for speeding, for failing to obey a traffic control device or the speed limit sign, or for both offenses. In this case, if the police officer issues only the citation for failing to obey the speed limit sign, the officer is choosing a citation that may have a lower fine and carry fewer points on the driver's license, according to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
