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 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 city being consistent with the manual
and specifications, state law and this section shall be official traffic-control
devices.
(Ordinance adopting Code)
The chief of police shall place and maintain traffic-control
signs, signals and devices when and as required under this chapter
to make effective the provisions of this chapter, and may place and
maintain such additional traffic-control devices as he may deem necessary
to regulate traffic under this chapter or under state law, or to guide
or warn traffic. It shall be the duty of the chief of police to supervise
the installation and proper timing and maintenance of traffic-control
devices.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.41)
The chief of police is hereby authorized:
(1) To designate and maintain, by appropriate devices, marks or lines
upon the surface of the roadway, crosswalks at any intersection where,
in his opinion, there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing
the roadway, and at such other places as he may deem necessary.
(2) To establish safety zones of such kind and character and at such
places as he may deem necessary for the protection of pedestrians.
(3) To mark lanes for traffic on street pavements in such places as he
may deem advisable, consistent with this chapter and other traffic
ordinances of this city.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.42)
The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any
official traffic-control device applicable thereto placed in accordance
with this chapter and other traffic ordinances of this city, unless
otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions
granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.43)
No provision of this chapter for which signs are required shall
be enforced against an alleged violator if, at the time and place
of the alleged violation, an official sign is not in proper position
and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person.
Whenever a particular section does not state that signs are required,
such section shall be effective even though no signs are erected or
in place.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.44)
The chief of police, as authorized by the city council from
time to time, shall designate intersections at which traffic shall
be controlled by electric traffic-control signals or lights and shall
cause such signals or lights to be installed and maintained at such
intersections.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.45)
Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting
the word “Go,” “Caution” or “Stop,”
or exhibiting different colored lights successively one at a time,
or with arrows, the following colors only shall be used and such terms
and lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians
as follows:
(1) Green alone or “Go”.
(A) Vehicular traffic facing the signal may proceed straight through
or turn right or left, unless a sign at such place prohibits either
such turn. But vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right
or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians
lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time
such signal is exhibited.
(B) Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within
any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(2) Yellow alone or “Caution” when shown following green
or “Go”.
(A) Vehicular traffic facing the signal is thereby warned that the red
or “Stop” signal will be exhibited immediately thereafter
and such vehicular traffic shall not enter or be crossing the intersection
when the red or “Stop” signal is exhibited.
(B) Pedestrians facing such signal are thereby advised that there is
insufficient time to cross the roadway, and any pedestrian then starting
to cross shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.
(3) Red alone or “Stop”.
(A) Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall stop before entering the
crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before
entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until green or
“Go” is shown alone; provided that, after stopping and
yielding to all pedestrians and vehicles, the driver of a vehicle
may enter the intersection for the purpose of making a right turn
only, if a sign is in place indicating that such turn can be made.
(B) No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he
can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(4) Red with green arrow.
(A) Vehicular traffic facing such signal may cautiously enter the intersection
only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, but shall yield
the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk and to
other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(B) No pedestrian facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he
can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.46)
Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the word
“Walk” or “Wait” are in place, such signals
shall indicate as follows:
(1) “Walk”.
Pedestrians facing such signal may
proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall
be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.
(2) “Wait”.
No pedestrian shall start to cross
the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who
has partially completed his crossing on the walk signal shall proceed
to a sidewalk or safety zone while the wait signal is showing.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.47)
Whenever flashing red or yellow signals are used they shall
require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
(1) Flashing red (stop signal).
When a red lens is illuminated
by rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before
entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line
when marked, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules
applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
(2) Flashing yellow (caution signal).
When a yellow lens
is illuminated by rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles
may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with
caution.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.48)
All traffic-control signs, signals, devices, and markings placed
or erected prior to the adoption of this code by the police department
and in use for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic
are hereby affirmed, ratified and declared to be official traffic-control
devices, provided such traffic-control devices are not inconsistent
with the provisions of this chapter or state law.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.49)
No person shall, without lawful authority, attempt to or in
fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic-control
device or any inscription, shield or insignia thereon or any part
thereof.
(2001 Code, sec. 70.51)