This chapter shall be known as the traffic code and may be cited
as such.
(1971 Code, sec. 15-1)
Words used in this chapter and not specifically defined herein
shall have their ordinary and commonly accepted meaning as set forth
in Webster’s New International Dictionary (Unabridged), and
other dictionaries of recognized standing. The following words and
phrases, when used in this chapter, shall, for the purpose of this
chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:
Alley.
Any street having no regular or official name, other than
“alley,” of twenty (20) feet or less in width.
Bicycle.
A nonmotorized vehicle having two or more wheels, propelled
by human power upon which any person may ride, and including any device
generally.
Bus.
Every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than ten (10)
passengers and used for the transportation of persons; and every motor
vehicle, other than a taxicab, designed and used for the transportation
of persons for compensation.
Business district.
The territory contiguous to and including a roadway when,
within any six hundred (600) feet along such roadway, there are buildings
in use for business or industrial purposes which occupy three hundred
(300) feet of frontage on one side or three hundred (300) feet collectively
on both sides of the roadway.
Commercial loading zone.
A space adjacent to the curb to be used solely by commercial
motor vehicles for loading and unloading materials and/or freight
while in the course of business to business commercial activity.
Commercial motor vehicle.
A motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, designed or used
for the transportation of property or for delivery purposes.
Crosswalk.
That part of a roadway at an intersection included within
the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite
sides of the highway, measured from the curbs, or, in the absence
of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway. The word “crosswalk”
also includes any portion of a roadway, at an intersection or elsewhere,
distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings
on the surface.
Curb.
The edge of a street, roadway, or highway, marked or understood.
Driver.
Every person who drives or is in actual physical control
of a vehicle.
Electric bicycle.
A vehicle with two or more wheels, propelled by an electric
motor or a combination of motor and human power. This definition shall
not apply to electric personal assistive mobility devices as defined
by section 551.201 of the Texas Transportation Code.
Gross combination weight rating.
The value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight
of a combination or articulated vehicle or, if the manufacturer has
not specified a value, the sum of the gross vehicle weight rating
of the power unit and the total weight of the towed unit or units
and any load on a towed unit.
Intersection.
The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of
the lateral curblines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines,
of the roadways of two (2) streets which join one another at, or approximately
at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon
different streets joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
Where a street includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more
apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided street
by an intersecting street shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
In the event such intersecting street also includes two (2) roadways
thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways
of such streets shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
Laned roadway.
A roadway which is divided into two (2) or more clearly marked
lanes for vehicular traffic.
Loading zones.
A space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use
of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.
Motor-assisted scooter.
A self-propelled device with: (1) at least two wheels in
contact with the ground during operation; (2) a braking system capable
of stopping the device under typical operating conditions; (3) a gas
or electric motor not exceeding 40 cubic centimeters; (4) a deck designed
to allow a person to stand or sit while operating the device; and
(5) the ability to be propelled by human power alone. This definition
shall not apply to electric personal assistive mobility devices as
defined by section 551.201 of the Texas Transportation Code.
Motor vehicle.
A self-propelled vehicle of two (2) or more wheels designed
to transport a person or property, excluding scooters or toy vehicles
propelled by nonhuman power.
Negligence.
Negligence is the want of such care and caution as a person
of ordinary prudence would use under like or similar circumstances.
Negligence shall be prima facie presumed from the fact of collision.
One-way street.
Any street or highway on which traffic is restricted to movement
in one direction only.
One-way traffic.
Traffic restricted to movement in one direction only on any
particularly designated street or thoroughfare, and signposted as
such.
Owner.
A person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, or, in the
event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional
sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance
of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right
of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or in the
event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such
conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner
for the purpose of this chapter.
Park.
When prohibited, means the standing of a vehicle, whether
occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and
while actually engaged in loading or unloading.
Pole trailer.
Every vehicle, without motive power, designed to be drawn
by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of
a reach or pole, or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the towing
vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly
shaped loads such as poles, pipes or structural members, capable,
generally, of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting
connections.
Police Officer.
Every official of the Town Police Department or any official
authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests of violations
of ordinances of the Town and the laws of the State.
Residence district.
The territory contiguous to and including a street or highway
not comprising a business district, when the property on such street
or highway, for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or more, is
in the main improved with residences or residences and buildings in
use for business.
Roadway.
That portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily
used for vehicular travel. In the event a highway includes two (2)
or more separate roadways, the term “roadway” shall refer
to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.
Scooter.
A foot-operated vehicle consisting of a narrow footboard
mounted between two (2) wheels tandem with an upright steering handle
attached to the front wheel.
Semitrailer.
Every vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a
pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being
drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its
weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.
Shared mobility device.
Any bicycle, electric bicycle, motor-assisted scooter, or
other similar personal transportation device, which is displayed,
offered and/or placed for rent which may be locked and unlocked with
or without the requirement of a docking station.
Sidewalk.
That portion of a street between the curblines, or the lateral
lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for
the use of pedestrians.
Slow sign.
A sign bearing upon its face the word “slow.”
Stop.
When required, means complete cessation of movement.
Stop sign.
An octagon-shaped sign with the word “stop” displayed
thereon and which sign requires traffic to stop before proceeding
past such stop sign.
Stop, stopping or standing.
When prohibited, means any stopping or standing of a vehicle,
whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with
other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a Police Officer
or traffic-control sign or signal.
Street, road, boulevard or highway.
The entire width between property lines of every way or place
of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the
public, as a matter or right, for the purpose of vehicular traffic.
Toy vehicle.
Any vehicle or device which is self-propelled and not capable
of speeds exceeding ten (10) miles per hour during operation and by
design not suitable for operation upon a roadway.
Tractor.
A motor vehicle designed or used primarily for drawing another
vehicle that:
(1)
Is not constructed to carry a load other than a part of the
weight of the vehicle and load being drawn; or
(2)
Is engaged with a semitrailer in the transportation of automobiles
or boats and that transports the automobiles or boats on part of the
truck-tractor.
Traffic.
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other
conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street for
purposes of travel.
Traffic-control device.
All signs, signals, markings or devices, not inconsistent
with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of the Town Council
or officials having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning
or guiding traffic.
Traffic-control signal.
Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically
operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to
proceed.
Trailer.
Every vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a
pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being
drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight
rests upon the towing vehicle.
Truck.
Every motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily
for the transportation of property.
Vehicle.
A device in or by which a person or property is or may be
transported or drawn on a roadway or sidewalk, other than a device
used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks.
Yield sign.
A sign with the word “yield” displayed thereon.
(1971 Code, sec. 15-2; Ordinance
adopting Code; Ordinance 1791, sec.
2, adopted 4/13/09; Ordinance
1977, sec. 2, adopted 5/11/15; Ordinance 2042 adopted 9/10/18)
No vehicle shall be driven over, parked, or left standing on
any property owned by the Town except land laid out and dedicated
for public streets or parking lots.
(1971 Code, sec. 15-8)
No person shall ride on any vehicle upon any portion thereof
not designated or intended for the use of passengers. This provision
shall not apply to any employee engaged in the necessary discharge
of a duty, or to persons riding within truck bodies in space intended
for merchandise.
(1971 Code, sec. 15-10)
No person shall board or alight from any vehicle while such
vehicle is in motion.
(1971 Code, sec. 15-11)
No person shall operate or park any vehicle on any street nor
shall any owner suffer or permit any vehicle belonging to him to be
operated or parked for the primary purpose of advertising.
(1971 Code, sec. 15-14)
It shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle which makes unusually
loud and unnecessary noise.
(1971 Code, sec. 15-15)