# Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-108: Tampering with construction signs and barricades - Travel on closed roads - Definitions > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-108 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-108 - **Heading:** Tampering with construction signs and barricades - Travel on closed roads - Definitions - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 39 / Chapter 17 / Section 39-17-108 ## Text (a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Barricade" means a barrier for obstructing the passage of motor vehicle traffic; (2) "Detour sign" means any sign placed across or on a public road of the state, by the state, the county or municipal authorities or by their contractors, indicating that the road is closed or partially closed, which sign also indicates the direction of an alternate route to be followed to give access to certain points; (3) "Fence" means a barrier to prevent the intrusion of motor vehicle traffic; (4) "Officially closed" means a highway or road that has been officially closed by a governmental unit, the department of transportation, a city or a county; and (5) "Warning sign" means a sign indicating construction work in the area. (b) A person commits an offense who intentionally: (1) Destroys, knocks down, removes, defaces, or alters any lighting flasher letters or figures on a detour or warning sign set upon a highway or road of this state; (2) Knocks down, removes, rearranges, destroys, defaces or alters any letters or figures on a barricade or fence erected on any highway or road of this state; (3) Drives around or through any barricade or fence on any officially closed highway or road of this state; (4) Drives around a detour sign or barricade or fence; or (5) Ignores or disregards a warning sign before the road has been officially opened to public traffic by the department, or in appropriate cases by the county or municipal officer responsible for constructing or maintaining such roads. (c) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) This section shall have no application to: (1) Law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties; (2) Employees of the Tennessee department of transportation; (3) Contractors performing work on the highways; (4) Federal authorities when engaged in inspection of surveys, repairs, maintenance, or construction on or alongside the highways or within the right-of-way; (5) Individuals domiciled or making their livelihood within the affected areas; or (6) Any person or group of persons that shall be authorized by the commissioner, or appropriate county or municipal officer. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1. (a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Barricade" means a barrier for obstructing the passage of motor vehicle traffic; (2) "Detour sign" means any sign placed across or on a public road of the state, by the state, the county or municipal authorities or by their contractors, indicating that the road is closed or partially closed, which sign also indicates the direction of an alternate route to be followed to give access to certain points; (3) "Fence" means a barrier to prevent the intrusion of motor vehicle traffic; (4) "Officially closed" means a highway or road that has been officially closed by a governmental unit, the department of transportation, a city or a county; and (5) "Warning sign" means a sign indicating construction work in the area. (1) "Barricade" means a barrier for obstructing the passage of motor vehicle traffic; (2) "Detour sign" means any sign placed across or on a public road of the state, by the state, the county or municipal authorities or by their contractors, indicating that the road is closed or partially closed, which sign also indicates the direction of an alternate route to be followed to give access to certain points; (3) "Fence" means a barrier to prevent the intrusion of motor vehicle traffic; (4) "Officially closed" means a highway or road that has been officially closed by a governmental unit, the department of transportation, a city or a county; and (5) "Warning sign" means a sign indicating construction work in the area. the direction of an alternate route to be followed to give access to certain points; (3) "Fence" means a barrier to prevent the intrusion of motor vehicle traffic; (4) "Officially closed" means a highway or road that has been officially closed by a governmental unit, the department of transportation, a city or a county; and (5) "Warning sign" means a sign indicating construction work in the area. (b) A person commits an offense who intentionally: (1) Destroys, knocks down, removes, defaces, or alters any lighting flasher letters or figures on a detour or warning sign set upon a highway or road of this state; (2) Knocks down, removes, rearranges, destroys, defaces or alters any letters or figures on a barricade or fence erected on any highway or road of this state; (3) Drives around or through any barricade or fence on any officially closed highway or road of this state; (4) Drives around a detour sign or barricade or fence; or (5) Ignores or disregards a warning sign before the road has been officially opened to public traffic by the department, or in appropriate cases by the county or municipal officer responsible for constructing or maintaining such roads. (1) Destroys, knocks down, removes, defaces, or alters any lighting flasher letters or figures on a detour or warning sign set upon a highway or road of this state; (2) Knocks down, removes, rearranges, destroys, defaces or alters any letters or figures on a barricade or fence erected on any highway or road of this state; (3) Drives around or through any barricade or fence on any officially closed highway or road of this state; (4) Drives around a detour sign or barricade or fence; or (5) Ignores or disregards a warning sign before the road has been officially opened to public traffic by the department, or in appropriate cases by the county or municipal officer responsible for constructing or maintaining such roads. (c) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor. (d) This section shall have no application to: (1) Law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties; (2) Employees of the Tennessee department of transportation; (3) Contractors performing work on the highways; (4) Federal authorities when engaged in inspection of surveys, repairs, maintenance, or construction on or alongside the highways or within the right-of-way; (5) Individuals domiciled or making their livelihood within the affected areas; or (6) Any person or group of persons that shall be authorized by the commissioner, or appropriate county or municipal officer. (1) Law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties; (2) Employees of the Tennessee department of transportation; (3) Contractors performing work on the highways; (4) Federal authorities when engaged in inspection of surveys, repairs, maintenance, or construction on or alongside the highways or within the right-of-way; (5) Individuals domiciled or making their livelihood within the affected areas; or (6) Any person or group of persons that shall be authorized by the commissioner, or appropriate county or municipal officer. Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-101 Handling snakes so as to endanger life prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-102 Unlawful disposal of raw sewage - Continued violation - Enforcement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-103 Abandonment of certain airtight containers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-103.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-104 Safety devices on refrigerators required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-104.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-105 Charge for use of public toilet facility prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-105.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-106 Gifts of adulterated candy or food](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-106.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-107 Adulteration of food, liquids, or pharmaceuticals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-107.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-108 Tampering with construction signs and barricades - Travel on closed roads - Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-108.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-109 Airport and aircraft security](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-109.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-110 Attachment of signs to barriers constructed or owned by a governmental entity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-110.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-111 Alteration of warning, guard or other safety device from any machine, tool, or other implement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-111.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-112 False academic degrees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-112.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-113 Payment of citations for persons who purchase devices for detection of or interference with devices used to measure the speed of motor vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-113.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-17-114 Transportation of illegal aliens](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-114.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T39_C17_S39-17-108. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.