The words and terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in their definitions in V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, chapter 541, and other state statutes, except that the following words or terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Alley.
Any minor way which is used primarily for vehicular service access to the back side of properties otherwise abutting on a street.
Continuous two-way left-turn lane.
A clearly marked lane in approximately the center of certain streets, which lane is designated by markings on the street surface or overhead signs or both for use by vehicular traffic from either direction for left turns only.
Hazardous materials.
For the purposes of truck route enforcement of article 12-5, products that pose a risk to health, safety and property during transportation. The term often is shortened to “HAZMAT,” which may be seen on road signs, or to “HM” in government regulations. Hazardous materials include explosives, various types of gases, solids, and flammable and combustible liquids, and other materials. Hazardous materials are more specifically defined in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), parts 171-180 of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The common reference for these regulations is 49 CFR 171-180.
Loading zone.
A space or section of the curb or adjoining street set aside for the exclusive use of loading or unloading persons, merchandise, supplies or materials.
Local truck.
For the purposes of truck route enforcement of article 12-5, any truck, as defined herein, other than a through truck, as defined herein.
Red curb markings.
A traffic-control device used to define areas where parking is prohibited due to fire zones.
Sidewalk.
That portion of a street between the curblines, or the lateral lines of the roadway, and the adjacent property lines.
Through truck.
For the purposes of truck route enforcement of Article 12-5, trucks not having their origin, destination, pickup or delivery point within the city.
Truck.
For the purposes of truck route enforcement of article 12-5, a single-unit vehicle with a manufacturer’s gross weight rating of more than ten thousand (10,000) pounds, a single-unit vehicle with tandem axles, or all truck-tractor/semitrailer combinations.
Yellow curb markings.
A traffic-control device used to define areas where parking is prohibited due to bus zones, loading zones, or areas indicated in V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, section 545.302.
(Ordinance 72-17, sec. 1, adopted 2/22/72; Ordinance 93-26, sec. 1, adopted 6/8/93; 1957 Code, sec. 18-1; Ordinance 2018-28, sec. 1, adopted 7/24/18)
All fines and forfeitures collected upon conviction or upon the forfeiture of bail of any person charged with a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be paid into the city treasury and shall be deposited in the general fund.
(Ordinance 91-72, sec. 7, adopted 10/8/91; 1957 Code, sec. 18-69)
(a) 
Regulation of speed limits, school zones, no parking, one-way streets, truck routes or other similar regulations shall be imposed by ordinance of the city council only.
(b) 
The designation of locations for automatic or semiautomatic mechanical traffic-control devices shall be done by resolution of the city council.
(c) 
The designation of locations for nonmechanical traffic-control devices not otherwise provided for in this section may be done by administrative order of the traffic engineering division head approved by the director of public works and the city manager.
(d) 
Specific subjects for which the procedure for handling is set forth in this chapter shall be governed by those provisions.
(Ordinance 72-17, sec. 2, adopted 2/22/72; Ordinance 91-93, sec. 1, adopted 11/26/91; 1957 Code, sec. 18-2)
(a) 
The existence of a city traffic-controlled device, sign, or marking at any place within the city limits shall be prima facie evidence that such traffic-control device, sign, or marking is official and was duly and legally authorized as provided in this chapter and erected or placed in the correct location by the traffic engineering division in full compliance with this chapter.
(b) 
Pursuant to city code section 12-1-3(a), the following is a list of all signalized intersections found within the city limits.
Allred/Crescent & 8th
Andrews Hwy & Kermit
Andrews Hwy & University
Andrews Hwy & 23rd
Andrews Hwy & 31st
Andrews Hwy & 38th
Andrews Hwy & 42nd
Andrews Hwy & 52nd
Billy Hext & East Ridge
Bonham & University
Conover & University
County Rd W & Clements/Br
County Rd W & Kermit Hwy
County Rd W & University
County Rd W & 2nd
County Rd W & 8th
County Rd W & 10th
County Rd W & 14th
County Rd W & 16th
County Rd W & 22nd
County Rd W & 42nd
Crane & Murphy
Crane & 2nd
Crane & Clements
Dawn Avenue & 87th Street
Dawn/Nabors & University
Dawn & Yukon
Dawn & 42nd
Dawn Avenue & 52nd Street
Dawn Avenue & 87th Street
Dixie & Clements
Dixie & Murphy/Standard
Dixie & University
Dixie & 2nd Dixie & 4th
Dixie & 7th Dixie & 8th
Dixie & 14th Dixie & 17th
Dixie & 23rd Dixie & 31st
Dixie & 36th Dixie & 38th
Dixie & 42nd
Dixie & 52nd
Evans Boulevard & 87th Street
Englewood & 42nd
Evans Boulevard & 87th Street
Faudree & Dorado
Faudree & East Ridge
Faudree & P Bar Ranch
Faudree & Tres Hermanas
Freedom Park & University (pedestrian signal)
Golder & Kermit Hwy
Golder & University
Golder & 2nd
Golder & 4th
Golder & 5th
Golder & 7th
Golder & 8th
Golder & 10th
Golder & 13th
Golder & 14th
Golder & 22nd
Golder & 31st
Golder & 42nd
Golder & Yukon
Grandview & Brentwood
Grandview & Maple
Grandview & Murphy
Grandview & Oakwood/Redbud
Grandview & Penbrook
Grandview & University
Grandview & Yukon
Grandview & 8th
Grandview & 11th/14th
Grandview & 21st
Grandview & 42nd
Grandview & 52nd
Grant & Clements
Grant & Murphy
Grant & 2nd
Grant & 3rd
Grant & 4th
Grant & 5th
Grant & 6th
Grant & 7th
Grant & 8th
Grant & 10th
Grant & 13th
Grant & 14th
Grant & 16th
Grant & 17th
Hancock & 2nd
Hancock & 8th
Harless & 8th
Harless & 16th
Iola & University
Jefferson & 8th
Kelly & 2nd
Kermit Hwy & University
Kermit Hwy & 22nd/23rd
Lee & 8th
Lincoln & 2nd
Lindy & Murphy
Loop 338 East Ramp & BI 2
Loop 338 West Ramp & BI 2
Loop 338 & Trunk
Loop 338 & University
Lyndale/38th & 42nd
Mall & 42nd
Maple & University
Meadow & 2nd Meadow & 8th
Muskingum & Murphy/Prairi
Muskingum & University (pedestrian signal)
Muskingum & 2nd
Muskingum & 7th
Muskingum & 8th
Oakwood & University
Parkway & Maple
Parkway & Oakwood
Parkway & University
Parkway & Bi 20
Parkway & Mall
Parkway & 42nd
Parkway & 52nd
Preston Smith & 42nd
Robertson & University
Sam Houston & 8th
BI 20 & 8th
Tanglewood & Maple
Tanglewood & Penbrook/Mall
Tanglewood & University
Tanglewood & 42nd
Tanglewood & 52nd
Texas & 2nd
Texas & 4th
Texas & 7th
Texas & 8th
Tom Green & 42nd
Washington & 8th
Whitaker & 8th
(Ordinance 72-17, sec. 2, adopted 2/22/72; Ordinance 91-93, sec. 1, adopted 11/26/91; 1957 Code, sec. 18-3; Ordinance 2019-25, sec. 1, adopted 8/13/19; Ordinance 2020-15 adopted 4/28/20; Ordinance 2020-19 adopted 6/23/20; Ordinance 2020-22 adopted 7/14/20; Ordinance 2022-27 adopted 9/27/2022)
Any person failing or refusing to comply with the directions indicated by any official traffic-control device, sign or marking erected or placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ordinance 72-17, sec. 2, adopted 2/22/72; 1957 Code, sec. 18-4)
Officers of the police department are authorized to direct all traffic either in person or by means of visible or audible signal in conformance with the provisions of this chapter. In the event of a fire or other emergency or in order to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers of the police department or fire department may direct traffic as they deem the conditions require, notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter. Any person failing or refusing to comply with such orders, signals or directions for traffic of officers of the police department or fire department shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ordinance 72-17, sec. 2, adopted 2/22/72; 1957 Code, sec. 18-5)
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the operator of any vehicle, whether privately owned or owned by or used in the service of any governmental entity, and it shall be unlawful for any operator of such a vehicle to violate or fail to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter, except as otherwise permitted herein.
(Ordinance 72-17, sec. 2, adopted 2/22/72; 1957 Code, sec. 18-6)
(a) 
Authorized.
Any vehicle found in any of the following circumstances may be impounded immediately by the police department or a duly authorized agent of the city:
(1) 
A vehicle left unattended on a bridge, viaduct, causeway or tunnel so as to constitute a traffic obstruction.
(2) 
A vehicle parked on a street or alley so as to block a private driveway when it is impractical to move the vehicle to another point on the street or alley.
(3) 
A vehicle which has been reported stolen, found on a street or alley or public property.
(4) 
A vehicle on a street or alley when the person in charge of the vehicle is incapacitated from caring for the vehicle.
(5) 
A vehicle driven by a person arrested for an offense requiring the person to be taken into custody.
(6) 
A vehicle on a street or alley constituting a traffic hazard or interfering with a normal governmental function or when its own safety is imperiled by some unusual circumstance.
(7) 
A vehicle that is stopped by a police officer for an alleged violation of a city or state traffic law or other law applicable to the operation of a vehicle on the roadway and the vehicle's owner or operator fails to show evidence of financial responsibility as required under chapter 601 of the Texas Transportation Code, as amended. Impoundment shall be at the discretion of the officer.
(b) 
Disposition of impounded vehicle; redemption by owner.
Whenever a vehicle is impounded under the authority of subsection (a) of this section, it shall be removed to the facilities designated by the city for such purposes. Such vehicle may be reclaimed by its owner by payment of the expenses accrued against the vehicle for towing and storage. The city or its duly authorized agent shall have a lien on any such vehicle and any personal property contained therein for the purpose of securing payment of any towing and storage expenses accrued against such vehicle.
(1950 Code, Ch. 16, secs. 9, 86; Ordinance 71-66, secs. 6, 7 adopted 9/28/71; Ordinance 72-17, sec. 3, adopted 2/22/72; Ordinance 66-29, sec. 2, adopted 4/26/66; 1957 Code, secs. 18-7, 18-8; Ordinance 2023-11 adopted 6/13/2023)
There shall be a charge of four dollars ($4.00) per copy for each motor vehicle accident report and each individual traffic conviction record furnished by the police department. An additional two-dollar ($2.00) charge shall be assessed if the copy is certified by the police department. In the event that no report is on file, the police department may certify such fact for a fee of four dollars ($4.00). All money collected under this section shall be deposited in the general fund.
(Ordinance 59-129, secs. 3, 6, adopted 12/22/59; Ordinance 70-66, sec. 1, adopted 9/8/70; Ordinance 72-17, sec. 30, adopted 2/22/72; Ordinance 91-96, sec. 1, adopted 12/17/91; 1957 Code, sec. 18-9)
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride, or for the operator of any vehicle to allow any person to ride, on any portion of any vehicle not designated or intended for the use of passengers when such vehicle is in motion. This section shall not apply to an employee engaged in the necessary discharge of his duty nor to persons riding within truck bodies intended for merchandise.
(1950 Code, Ch. 16, sec. 13; Ordinance 72-17, sec. 6, adopted 2/22/72; 1957 Code, sec. 18-11)
(a) 
Definitions.
In this section:
Goods.
Property of every kind.
Public property.
(1) 
Any property open or devoted to public use or owned by the city; and
(2) 
Any area dedicated to the public use for sidewalk, street, highway, or other transportation purposes, including but not limited to any curb, median, parkway, shoulder, sidewalk, alley, drive or public right-of-way.
Roadway.
Has the meaning given that term in chapter 541, Texas Transportation Code.
Services.
Any work done for the benefit of another person.
Solicitation.
Any conduct or act whereby a person:
(1) 
Either orally or in writing, asks for a ride, employment, goods, services, financial aid, monetary gifts, or any article representing monetary value, for any purpose;
(2) 
Either orally or in writing, sells or offers for sale goods, services, or publications;
(3) 
Distributes without remuneration goods, services, materials, or publications; or
(4) 
Solicits signatures on a petition or opinions for a survey.
Vehicle.
Has the meaning given that term in chapter 541, Texas Transportation Code.
(b) 
Offenses.
A person commits an offense if, while occupying any public property adjacent to or in any public roadway in the city, he knowingly conducts a solicitation directed to, or intended to attract the attention of, the occupant of any vehicle stopped or traveling on the roadway. An offense occurs when the solicitation is made, whether or not an actual employment relationship is created, a transaction is completed, or an exchange of money, goods, or services takes place.
(c) 
Defenses.
It is a defense to prosecution under subsection (b) that the person was:
(1) 
Summoning aid or requesting assistance in an emergency situation; or
(2) 
A law enforcement officer or emergency personnel in the performance of official duties.
(d) 
Complaints.
In addition to any enforcement action by a peace officer for a violation of this section, any person who is a victim of a solicitation prohibited under subsection (b), or who witnesses a violation of subsection (b), may file a complaint with the city attorney’s office. Evidence to support a conviction for a violation of this section may include, but is not limited to, testimony of witnesses, videotape evidence of the violation, and other admissible evidence.
(Ordinance 88-24, sec. 1, adopted 3/8/88; Ordinance 2004-41, sec. 1, adopted 11/23/04; 1957 Code, sec. 18-56)