Commentary on Sections Part 1: Traffic Officers.Background Section 7: Powers to place temporary traffic signs
33.Section 7 provides for traffic officers to have a similar power to a police constable to place and maintain traffic signs on the highway. The signs may be used to indicate prohibitions, restrictions or requirements relating to traffic to deal with congestion or obstruction of traffic or danger to or from traffic. Such signage may be placed for a period of up to seven days.
34.The effect of subsection (2) is that section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 applies to any traffic signs so placed by traffic officers. Section 36 makes it an offence not to comply with traffic signs to which it applies.
35.Breach of section 36 carries a maximum fine of level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000). In addition, for breach of certain signs (e.g. stop signs) endorsement is obligatory and disqualification is discretionary. Breach is also a fixed penalty offence with fines of up to £60.