§ 16977 — Fines and damages

(a) Summary offense and exception.--

(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), an individual who shall willfully remove, deface, destroy or disregard any barricade, light, danger sign, detour sign, warning or traffic control device of any character whatsoever, erected or placed under the authority of section 16975 (relating to county road detours), or who drives on, over or across a road which had been closed by proper authority, commits a summary offense.

(2) Individuals who have no outlet due to the closing of a road may drive on, over or across the road, with the consent in writing of and subject to any conditions as may be prescribed by the county commissioners responsible for the closing, or the agents or contractors of the individual, without being subject to the fines imposed by this section.

(b) Recovery of damages.--In addition to the fines under subsection (a), the county commissioners responsible for the maintenance of a road which has been closed to vehicular traffic, or the agents or contractors of the county commissioners, may, in an action at law, recover damages from each individual who has damaged a road when the road is closed to vehicular traffic.

(c) Fines paid to county treasurer.--All fines collected under the provision of this section shall be paid to the county treasurer for the general use of the county.