The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Traffic-control device.
Any sign, signal or marking, including markings on pavement
and curbs, installed within the city at the direction of the director
of traffic control for the purpose of directing and controlling traffic
within the city or to guide or warn traffic within the city.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-1; 1993 Code,
sec. 70.15; 2006 Code, sec. 78-21; Ordinance 164, sec. 1, adopted 4/6/81)
All traffic-control devices including signs, signals and markings
(pavement and/or curb) installed or used for the purpose of directing
and controlling traffic within the city shall conform with the manual
and specifications adopted by the state transportation commission
as provided in V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, section 544.001. All
signs, signals and markings erected or used by the city must conform
to the manual and specifications adopted under V.T.C.A., Transportation
Code, section 544.001. All existing traffic-control devices and those
erected in the future by the city being consistent with the manual
and specifications, state law and this section shall be official traffic-control
devices.
(Ordinance adopting 2015 Code)
The driver of any vehicle or animal shall obey the instruction of any traffic-control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with this article or any other applicable traffic ordinances of the city, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions granted in section
20.01.001 to the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-3; 1993 Code,
sec. 70.16; 2006 Code, sec. 78-22; Ordinance 164, sec. 3, adopted 4/6/81)
(a) Chief of police designated.
In absence of specific appointment,
the chief of police or designee shall be the director of traffic control.
(b) Installation of traffic-control devices.
(1) Determination of necessity.
The director of traffic
control shall determine the necessity for installing traffic-control
devices based upon all relevant facts and such traffic study as he
shall deem necessary. The director of traffic control shall report
such findings to the city council. The director of traffic control
shall have the duty to install, erect and maintain all traffic-control
devices within the city, or cause the same to be done, in accordance
with this article.
(2) Reports.
Whenever the director of traffic control has
erected and installed any official traffic-control device at any location
within the city, or has caused the same to be done under his direction,
he shall thereafter file a report with the city secretary in writing,
stating the type of traffic-control device, and when and where the
same was erected and installed. The city secretary shall file and
maintain such report of the director of traffic control along with
the official papers of the office of the city secretary.
(1984 Code, secs. 8-2-4, 8-2-10; 1993 Code, sec. 70.17; 2006 Code, sec. 78-23; Ordinance 164, secs. 4, 10, adopted 4/6/81)
The director of traffic control shall place and maintain traffic-control
devices as he may deem necessary to regulate traffic under the provisions
of this article and any applicable ordinances of the city and the
laws of this state or to guide or warn traffic.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-2; 1993 Code,
sec. 70.18; 2006 Code, sec. 78-24; Ordinance 164, sec. 2, adopted 4/6/81)
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, maintain or display
upon or in view of any highway, street or alley any unauthorized sign,
signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation
of or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign
or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or
which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any
official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-7; 1993 Code,
sec. 70.19; 2006 Code, sec. 78-25; Ordinance 164, sec. 7, adopted 4/6/81)
No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority
permit upon any highway, street or alley any traffic sign or signal
bearing thereon any commercial advertising. This section shall not
be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent
to highways, streets or alleys of signs giving useful directional
information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official traffic-control
devices. Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is hereby declared
to be a public nuisance, and the chief of police is hereby empowered
to remove the same or cause it to be moved without providing notice.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-8; 1993 Code,
sec. 70.20; 2006 Code, sec. 78-26; Ordinance 164, sec. 8, adopted 4/6/81)
It shall be unlawful for any person without lawful authority
to attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, damage, knock down
or remove any official traffic-control device, sign or signal or any
railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield, or insignia thereon,
or any part thereof.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-9; 1993 Code,
sec. 70.21; 2006 Code, sec. 78-27; Ordinance 164, sec. 9, adopted 4/6/81)
In any prosecution for failure to obey a traffic-control device,
or in any prosecution for violation of this article or any other traffic
ordinance of the city, proof that a traffic-control device was actually
in place on any street shall constitute prima facie evidence that
the same was installed by the director of traffic control pursuant
to the authority of this article and of any applicable ordinances
directing the installation of such traffic-control device, and that
such device is an official traffic-control device of the city.
(1984 Code, sec. 8-2-11; 1993 Code,
sec. 70.22; 2006 Code, sec. 78-28; Ordinance 164, sec. 11, adopted 4/6/81)
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions
of this article shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon
conviction in municipal court, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed
the sum of $500.00 for each offense. Each and every day the violation
continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(1993 Code, sec. 70.99; 2006 Code,
sec. 78-29)