(A) The
driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, as the term AUTHORIZED
EMERGENCY VEHICLE is defined by state law, TEX. TRANSPORTATION CODE,
§ 541.201, when responding to an emergency call or when in the
pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding
to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges
set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated.
(B) The
driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(1) Park
or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this [chapter] or any
ordinance;
(2) Proceed
past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down
as may be necessary for safe operation;
(3) Exceed
the prima facie speed limits so long as he does not endanger life
or property;
(4) Disregard
regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified
directions.
(C) The
exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall
apply only when such vehicle is making use of audible or visual signals
meeting the requirements of Tex. Transportation Code, §§
546.003 et seq., (Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways), except
that any authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle
need not be equipped with or display a red light visible from the
front of the vehicle.
(D) The
foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized
emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety
of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from
the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(E) Provisions
of this traffic code applicable to drivers upon the highways shall
apply to the drivers of all vehicle owned or operated by the United
States, the State of Texas, or any county, city, town, district or
any other political subdivision of the state, subject to such specific
exceptions as are set forth in this traffic code with reference to
authorized emergency vehicles.
(Ordinance 123-80-6-16, passed 6-16-80 Penalty, see § 70.99; Ordinance 590-00-06-27, passed 6-27-00)
Except as otherwise provided, the prima facie maximum speed
within the city on all streets and highways is 30 miles per hour.
(Ordinance 75-75-11-17, passed 11-17-75; Am. Ordinance 316-90-04-10, passed 4-10-90 Penalty, see § 70.99)
No person shall operate or permit the operation of the engine
of a motor vehicle so as to assist in braking or slowing the vehicle
through the use of gears or through the use of any engine brake or
engine retarding device on any public right-of-way, including, but
not limited to, state-maintained roadways FM 685 and FM 1825, within
the corporate limits of the city.
(Ordinance 794-05-07-26, passed 7-26-05; Ordinance 1448-20-07-14, passed 7-14-20)