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 town 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 town 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 town being consistent with the manual
and specifications, state law and this section shall be official traffic-control
devices.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
The driver of any vehicle, motor vehicle or animal shall obey
the instructions of any official traffic-control device, sign, signal
or marking applicable thereto placed in accordance with this article,
unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions
granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle permitted by
this article.
(Ordinance 1977-2, sec. 2, adopted 9/13/77)
(a) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, as the term “authorized
emergency vehicle” is defined by state law, 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 vehicle may:
(1) Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this article.
(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 and visual
signals meeting the requirements of section l24 V.C.S. 6701d (Uniform
Act Regulating Traffic on Highways), except that an 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 article applicable to drivers upon the highways
shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the
United States, the state, 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 article with reference to authorized
emergency vehicles.
Editor’s note–Since adoption of this
provision, the regulations contained in the Uniform Act Regulating
Traffic on Highways (V.T.C.S., article 6701d) have been recodified
and are now located in V.T.C.A., Transportation Code.
(Ordinance 1977-2, sec. 3, adopted 9/13/77)
(a) No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any
highway, street or alley any unauthorized signs, signals, marking,
or devices which purport to be or are an imitation of or resemble
an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or
which attempt to direct the movement of traffic, or which hide from
view or interfere with the effectiveness of any official control device
or any railroad sign or signal.
(b) 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.
(c) 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 signs.
(d) 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 notice.
(Ordinance 1977-2, sec. 4, adopted 9/13/77)
No person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact
alter, deface, injure, 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.
(Ordinance 1977-2, sec. 5, adopted 9/13/77)
(a) The city council shall by ordinance direct that the director of public
works shall have the duty of erecting or installing upon, over, alone,
or beside any highway, street or alley signs, signals and markings,
or cause the same to be erected, installed or placed in accordance
with this article and consistent with the manual. Said traffic-control
devices shall be installed immediately, or as soon as such specific
device, sign or signal can be procured.
(b) Whenever the city has erected and installed any official traffic-control
device, signal or sign at any location in the city, or has caused
the same to be done under its direction, in obedience to this article
and the manual shall thereafter file a report with the city secretary
in writing and signed officially by the director of public works,
stating the type of traffic-control device, sign or signal, and when
and where the same was erected and installed. The city secretary shall
file and maintain such report of the city among the official papers
of the office of the city secretary.
(Ordinance 1977-2, sec. 6, adopted 9/13/77)
It being unlawful for any person other than the city, acting
pursuant to an ordinance of the city, to install or cause to be installed
any signal, sign or device purporting to direct the use of the streets
or the activities on those streets of pedestrians, vehicles, motor
vehicles, or animals, proof in any prosecution for a violation of
this article or any traffic ordinance of the city that any traffic-control
device, sign, signal or marking was actually in place on any street
shall constitute prima facie evidence that the same was installed
by the city pursuant to the authority of this article and of the ordinance
directing the installation of such device, signal or marking.
(Ordinance 1977-2, sec. 7, adopted 9/13/77)