61-8-203. Department of transportation to place traffic control devices on highways it maintains and approve traffic control devices on highways under its jurisdiction. (1) The department of transportation shall place and maintain traffic control devices, conforming to its manual and specifications, upon all highways maintained by the department of transportation that the department considers necessary to carry out the provisions of chapter 9 and this chapter or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.

(2) A local authority or other entity may not place or maintain a traffic control device upon a highway under the jurisdiction of the department of transportation except with the department's permission.

(3) The unauthorized erection of a sign, marker, emblem, or other traffic control device on a highway under the jurisdiction of the department of transportation by any other entity is a misdemeanor and is punishable as provided in 61-8-712.

(4) The erection or maintenance of a sign, marker, emblem, or traffic control device on a highway under the jurisdiction of the department of transportation is subject to the rules and specifications that the department adopts and publishes in the interest of public safety and convenience.

(5) (a) An automated enforcement system designed to detect traffic violations that is attached to a traffic control device may not be used to enforce traffic laws.

(b) Subsection (5)(a) does not apply to automated enforcement systems attached to traffic control devices at railroad grade crossings.