FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February 10, 2005

Stop and think before you remove that traffic sign. Someone—maybe someone in your family—might die.

Sound harsh? It is. Missing stop signs and other traffic advisory signs mean that some motorist is going to miss a cue to stop, detour, turn, or slow down on a particularly sharp curve. When that driver misses a cue, bad things can happen.

But, those bad things can be avoided. Just stop and think before removing that traffic sign. It’s not cool to take down traffic signs. Lately, vandals have stolen signs on at least seven Farm-to-Market roads in Coryell County. Those lonely stretches of highway can be particularly dangerous late at night. But, take down a stop sign on a rural road, and you’ve just turned that highway into a potential death trap.

Keith Miller, TxDOT Coryell County maintenance supervisor, said that in the last three months 75 signs have been stolen on FM 116, 1783, 185, 215, 929, 930 and 2412. It cost TxDOT more than $7,500 to replace the stolen signs. But it’s not just about money, said Miller.

"They may not realize the risk they are taking," said Miller. "There can be some serious consequences to taking a stop sign, and it’s not just a fine or a jail sentence. People could be seriously injured or killed. The signs are not just designations. They provide important information to travelers –especially those who are unfamiliar with the area."

Vandalism of highway traffic signs costs Texas taxpayers $2.5 million annually, according to TxDOT officials.

"We are always concerned with vandalism of our state roadway signs. Not just because of the monetary costs, but more because of the safety hazard it can create for the traveling public," said Carlos Lopez, TxDOT's director of traffic operations.

Each sign is valued from $75 to $100, making each theft a Class B misdemeanor. According to state law, tampering with a warning device, such as a highway construction sign, carries a penalty of not less than $25 or more than $1,000, or up to a two-year jail sentence, or both the fine and jail time. However, much stiffer penalties have been handed down in cases where sign vandalism has resulted in serious injury or death. It happened several years ago when a group of teenagers removed a stop sign on a state highway in Florida. Three people lost their lives because they didn’t stop at the intersection. The vandals were convicted on three counts of manslaughter and one count of grand theft for their criminal act.

The most commonly vandalized sign is the stop sign. Signs in remote locations and those near schools and recreation areas are the most frequently targeted. Stolen signs sometimes find their way to bedroom, apartment or dormitory walls. Such decorations, however, can make a deadly fashion statement, according to transportation officials.

"A sign on the wall is a sign missing from a roadway where it is essential to safety. Although sometimes viewed as a harmless prank, tampering or removing any roadway sign can have tragic and deadly results," said Lopez.

Each year, TxDOT replaces more than 50,000 stolen or vandalized signs in its inventory of 8 to 10 million signs.

Among signs taken statewide are stop signs, warning signs, speed limit signs, guide signs, and signs depicting a curve ahead on the roadway. TxDOT, the Coryell County Sheriff’s office and the Texas Department of Public Safety are asking for information leading to the return of the signs or leading to the conviction of the persons responsible for the thefts. Miller can be reached at the TxDOT Coryell County Maintenance office at (254) 865-5716. Local DPS Troopers and the Coryell County Sheriff can be reached at (254) 865-7201.

For more information, contact

Keith Miller
Coryell County Maintenance Office
254-865-5716

or

Ken Roberts
Public Information Officer Waco District
254-867-2705