The driver of a vehicle shall drive on the right side of the street, except when overtaking and passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules established in this article, and except when the right half of the street is closed to traffic by the proper authorities, and except upon a roadway divided into three (3) marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon or upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.201)
(a) 
Except as provided in section 12.02.004, the driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the street until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the street in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event, the overtaking vehicle must return to the right-hand side of the street before coming within one hundred (100) feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
(b) 
No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left of the street for the purpose of passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction when approaching within one hundred (100) feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing or when approaching within one hundred (100) feet of any bridge, viaduct or tunnel.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.202)
It shall be the duty of the driver of a vehicle, upon audible signal that he is about to be overtaken on the left, to give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and he shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.203)
(a) 
The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of a vehicle proceeding in the same direction only under the following conditions:
(1) 
When the overtaken vehicle is making or about to make a left turn;
(2) 
Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving traffic in each direction.
(3) 
Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the street is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving vehicles.
(b) 
The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the street.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.204)
Drivers of vehicles proceedings in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and, upon streets having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the street, as nearly as possible.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.205)
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:
(1) 
Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the street.
(2) 
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle, and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the street being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.206)
(a) 
The director of public works is hereby authorized, subject to approval by the city council, to determine those intersections at which drivers of vehicles shall not make a right turn, left turn or U-turn and shall place proper signs at such intersections. The making of such turns may be prohibited between certain hours of any day and permitted at other hours, in which event the same shall be plainly indicated on the signs or they may be removed when such turns are permitted. Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right turn, left turn or U-turn is permitted, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of such signs.
(b) 
No driver of any vehicle shall make a U-turn at any intersection within the city where there is suspended and operating a traffic-control signal light.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.207)
(a) 
When any other traffic may be affected by such movement, no person shall turn any vehicle without giving a signal of his intention to turn right or left. Such signal shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
(b) 
No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear, when there is opportunity to give such signal.
(c) 
A stop or turn signal required by this section shall be given by means of the hand and arm or by a signal lamp or mechanical signal device of a type approved by the state department of public safety; provided, however, that when the body of a vehicle or the body and load of a vehicle projects twenty-four (24) inches or more to the left of the center of the steering wheel, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds fourteen (14) feet, or under any condition when a hand-and-arm signal would not be visible both to the front and rear of the vehicle, the vehicle must be equipped with and the signals must be given by such turn-indicating lamp or device.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.208)
All signals required by section 12.02.008, when given by hand and arm, shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows:
(1) 
Left turn.
Hand and arm extended horizontally.
(2) 
Right turn.
Hand and arm extended upward.
(3) 
Stop or decrease speed.
Hand and arm extended downward.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.209)
(a) 
The driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection of a different street or roadway shall stop, yield and grant the privilege of immediate use of such intersection in obedience to any stop sign, yield right-of-way sign or traffic-control device erected by public authority, and after so stopping, may only proceed thereafter when such driver may safely enter the intersection without interference or collision with traffic using such different street or roadway.
(b) 
The driver of a vehicle on a single lane street or roadway, or a street or roadway consisting of only two (2) traffic lanes, upon approaching the intersection, not otherwise controlled by traffic signs or signals, of a divided street or roadway or of a street or roadway divided into three (3) or more marked traffic lanes shall stop, yield and grant the privilege of immediate use of such intersection to vehicles on such other street which are within the intersection or approaching such intersection in such proximity thereto as to constitute a hazard and after so stopping may only proceed thereafter when such driver may safely enter the intersection without interference or collision with traffic using such different street or roadway.
(c) 
The driver of a vehicle on an unpaved street or roadway approaching the intersection of a paved roadway shall stop, yield and grant the privilege of immediate use of such intersection to any vehicle on such paved roadway which is within the intersection or approaching such intersection in such proximity thereto as to constitute a hazard, and after so stopping may only proceed thereafter when such driver may safely enter the intersection without interference or collision with traffic using such paved street or roadway.
(d) 
The driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection of a different street or roadway, not otherwise regulated herein or controlled by traffic-control signs or signals, shall stop, yield and grant the privilege of immediate use of such intersection to any other vehicle which has entered the intersection from such driver’s right or is approaching such intersection from such driver’s right in such proximity thereto as to constitute a hazard and after so stopping may only proceed thereafter when such driver may safely enter such intersection without interference or collision with traffic using such different street or roadway.
(e) 
A driver obligated to stop and yield the right-of-way in accord with this section who is involved in a collision or interference with other traffic at such intersection is presumed not to have yielded the right-of-way as required by this section.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.210)
The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.211)
The director of public works, as authorized from time to time by the city council, may install and maintain yield right-of-way signs at intersections. The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to such sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection. However, if such a driver is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection, after driving past a yield sign without stopping, such collision shall be deemed prima facie evidence of his failure to yield right-of-way.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.212)
The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.213)
(a) 
Whenever any ordinance of the city council designates any one-way street or alley, the director of public works shall place and maintain signs giving notice thereof, and no such regulations shall be effective unless such signs are in place. Signs indicating the direction of lawful traffic movement shall be placed at every intersection where movement of traffic in the opposite direction is prohibited.
(b) 
Upon those streets and parts of streets and in those alleys which are designated as one-way streets or alleys, vehicular traffic shall move only in the indicated direction where signs indicating the direction of traffic are erected and maintained at every intersection where movement in the opposite direction is prohibited.
(c) 
(1) 
Market Street is hereby re-purposed to create a pedestrian mall from Highway 11 (East Broadway) to East Elm Street. During times vehicular traffic is allowed on Market Street it shall remain designated for one-way traffic only, in a northbound direction.
(A) 
The city administrator is hereby directed to have appropriate signs erected giving notice hereof and erect appropriate barriers to serve the intent above.
(B) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove the barriers (once constructed) and operate a vehicle, of any nature, upon Market Street without the expressed written consent of the city administrator.
(C) 
Merchants whose business front is on Market Street are hereby authorized to utilize the public right-of-way for business purposes, as long as such does not violate any other local or state law. The area designated for such purpose shall be immediately in front of their business and not encroach upon the middle 20' of the street surface. Utilization of sidewalks shall be limited, to maintain widths necessary to comply with ADA requirements.
(D) 
The above use is authorized at times when the street is not being utilized for a special event approved by the city and is further limited to times coinciding with the businesses “open” hours.
(E) 
In the event of an emergency response, the city shall not be liable for damages to any business property placed upon the public right-of-way, as authorized above.
(F) 
The city, by the passage of this section, in no way abandons or conveys any of its rights, title or interest in the street right-of-way and hereby confirms that all such rights, title and interest is retained for current and future purposes. At any time, the city council has the authority to rescind or amend this section.
(d) 
The Winnsboro Independent School District (WISD) is authorized to temporarily close Beech Street between College and Sherman, daily during appropriate hours for the purpose of protecting pedestrian traffic moving to and from their facilities. The WISD is authorized to construct and install a single rail gate system barrier to facilitate the street closing. The city administrator is hereby directed to have appropriate signs erected giving notice hereof.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.214; Ordinance 926-2015 adopted 1/13/15; Ordinance 1032-2020 adopted 8/11/20)
Whenever any street or highway in the city has been divided into two (2) roadways by leaving an intervening space or by a physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand roadway unless directed or permitted to use another roadway by official traffic-control devices or police officers. No vehicle shall be driven over, across or within any such dividing space, barrier or section, except through an opening therein or at a crossover or intersection as established by public authority.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.215)
(a) 
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of section 124 of the state Uniform Traffic Act, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the street clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) 
This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of any authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.216)
(a) 
The driver of a vehicle upon a highway inside or outside of a business or residence district upon meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children shall stop the vehicle before reaching such school bus when there is in operation on said school bus a visual signal as specified in section 124 of the state Uniform Traffic Act, and said driver shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion or is signaled by the school bus driver to proceed or the visual signals are no longer actuated.
(b) 
The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on a different roadway or when upon a controlled-access highway and the school bus is stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.217)
It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, drive or propel a vehicle in such a manner as to block or obstruct the traffic on any street or alley of the city.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.218)
No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic-control signal indication to proceed.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.219)
The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when following another vehicle, maintain an assured clear distance between the two (2) vehicles, exercising due regard for the speed of such vehicles, traffic upon and conditions of the street, so that such motor vehicle can be safely brought to a stop without colliding with the preceding vehicle, or veering into other vehicles, objects or persons on or near the street.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.220)
(a) 
The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred (500) feet or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where the fire apparatus has stopped to answer a fire alarm.
(b) 
No driver of a vehicle, except a driver on official business, may follow closer than five hundred (500) feet behind an ambulance when the flashing red lights of the ambulance are operating. No driver of a vehicle may drive or park his vehicle at a place where an ambulance has been summoned for an emergency call in a manner calculated to interfere with the arrival or departure of the ambulance.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.221)
No driver of any vehicle shall drive over an unprotected hose of the fire department when such hose has been laid down on any street or private driveway to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the fire department official in command.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.222)
Every funeral procession shall be marked with appropriate pennants or other devices or methods, such as burning headlights in daytime, sufficient to show the nature of such procession, and any person who, as the driver of any vehicle, shall cross through or interrupt any funeral procession shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.223; Ordinance 824-2007 adopted 2/13/07)
Any driver of any vehicle who shall drive such vehicle upon any sidewalk or sidewalk area of any street within the city, except on a driveway, public or private, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.224)
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle upon any portion of any street in the city that has been freshly paved, unless all barriers or signal lights have been lawfully removed therefrom indicating that the street is ready for travel.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.227)
Any driver of any motor vehicle who shall willfully cause such vehicle to make unnecessary noise by loud mufflers or by reason of operating such vehicle in such manner as to cause the wheels thereof to spin or slide on the roadway of any street when starting such vehicle or while making any turning movement shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.228)
(a) 
No person shall operate a prohibited vehicle upon the following streets:
(1) 
Wanda Drive.
(2) 
Simons Drive.
(3) 
Martha Drive.
(4) 
Meadows Drive.
(5) 
Carnegie Street (beginning at South Walnut Street and going east to Gilmer Street).
(6) 
Gilmer Street (beginning at Carnegie Street and going south to Highway 515).
(7) 
South Post Oak (between West Code Road and West Carnegie Street).
(8) 
West Myrtle Street from S. Mill Street to S. Post Oak Street
(b) 
This section shall not apply to persons operating pickup trucks upon the streets on which prohibited vehicle traffic is prohibited.
(c) 
It is an affirmative defense that the person operating the prohibited vehicle is making a pickup or delivery of items usually carried by prohibited vehicles at or to a residence accessible only by one of the streets on which prohibited vehicle traffic is prohibited.
(d) 
The penalty for violation of this section shall be a fine in accordance with the general penalty provision found in section 1.01.009 of this code.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.229; Ordinance 758-2002 adopted 1/8/02; Ordinance 831-2007 adopted 12/11/07; Ordinance 1052-2021 adopted 5/11/21)
(a) 
Any parade or procession shall be authorized in writing by the issuance of a permit from the chief of police to the person in charge of the parade or procession. Application for said permit shall be required at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the parade or one (1) day prior to funeral procession.
(b) 
The city retains the right of reimbursement for expenses associated with a public parade or procession which also includes but is not limited to the regular applicable hourly rate required for a police officer.
(c) 
The parade or procession shall follow the exact route, at the speed, and during the time specified in the permit.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.230; Ordinance 951-2016 adopted 1/12/16)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate a motor vehicle upon any street or any portion of the street thereof which has been closed to through traffic and signs posted.
(b) 
No person shall drive upon a roadway designated and signposted closed to through traffic except when the operation may be done in safety and only the following are authorized:
(1) 
Residents of that street, visitors, or anyone having business going to or from a residence on that street;
(2) 
Authorized emergency vehicles;
(3) 
School buses for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers; or
(4) 
School personnel for parking.
(c) 
Winnsboro Independent School District personnel shall place and maintain signs giving notice of closed to through traffic at every intersection where movement of traffic is restricted to certain vehicles.
(d) 
The following street is designated closed to through traffic on designated school days from 7:30–8:15 a.m. and from 3:00–3:45 p.m.: South Beech Street at the intersection of College Street proceeding south to the intersection of the 500 block of Sherman Street.
(1997 Code, sec. 10.231)
(a) 
Engine exhaust brake prohibited.
(1) 
No person may use an engine exhaust braking system while operating a motor vehicle within the corporate limits of the city. For the purposes of this section, the term engine exhaust braking system device which converts a diesel engine power into an air compressor and when engaged, operates to slow the vehicle.
(2) 
The police chief shall adopt a procedure for the provisions of commercial vehicles for repeat violators.
(b) 
Offense.
Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of an offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00 for each offense.
(Ordinance 828-2007 adopted 10/9/07)
(a) 
For purposes of this section the following definitions apply:
Data communication.
Any method used to transfer information, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, file transfers, global positioning systems, and messaging.
Engaging in a call.
Talking, dialing or listening on a handheld communication device, but shall not include holding a mobile communication device to activate or deactivate such telephone.
Handheld mobile communication device.
A mobile communication device with which a user engages in a call or any form of data communication using at least one hand (or prosthetic device or aid in the case of a person with physical disabilities).
Hands-free mobile communication device.
A mobile communication device that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a call or data communication without the use of either hand (or prosthetic device or aid in the case of a person with physical disabilities), whether or not the use of either hand (or prosthetic device) is necessary to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone.
Mobile communication device.
A device, which may be referred to as a cellular phone, cell phone, handheld mobile telephone or wireless phone, used by subscribers and other users of wireless communications service to access such service, including personal digital assistants, meaning any device that provides for data communication other than voice, and numeric, alpha-numeric and two-way paging devices.
Wireless communications service.
Two-way real time voice telecommunications service that is interconnected to a public switched telephone network and commonly referred to as cellular service or personal communication service.
(b) 
Except as otherwise provided below, it shall be unlawful for a person to drive or operate a motor vehicle in a school zone, as designated in section 12.04.006, on official school days, during the hours when school zones are in effect, and when school zone signs and signs prohibiting handheld mobile communication device use are posted in place, while using a mobile communication device to engage in a call or any form of data communication.
(c) 
An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a mobile communication device to, or in the immediate proximity of his or her ear or in his or her line of eyesight while such vehicle is in motion is presumed to be engaging in a call or a form of data communication within the meaning of this section. Immediate proximity shall mean that distance as permits the operator of a mobile telephone to hear telecommunications or view data transmitted over such mobile communication device, but shall not require physical contact with such operator’s ear.
(d) 
Subsection (b) shall not apply to:
(1) 
The use of a mobile communication device for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital; a physician’s office or health clinic; the city’s police department;
(2) 
Any law enforcement, public safety or police officers, emergency services officials, first aid, emergency medical technicians and personnel, or any fire safety officials in the performance of duties arising out of and in the course of their employment as such; or
(3) 
The use of a hands-free mobile communication device when being used in a hands-free manner.
(e) 
The violation of this section is a strict liability offense.
(1) 
Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction in the municipal court of the city, may be fined an amount not to exceed the sum of two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each offense.
(Ordinance 851-2009 adopted 8/11/09)