In addition to the definitions set forth below, this chapter adopts all of the definitions of the state law as set out in Texas
Transportation Code. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Any street herein defined having no legal or official name other than “alley,” of 20 feet or less in width.
Authorized emergency vehicle.Vehicles of the fire department (fire patrol), police vehicles, public and private ambulances for which permits have been issued by the state board of health, and emergency vehicles of municipal departments or public service corporations as are designated by the city council.
Bicycle.Any device propelled by human power upon which any person or persons may ride, having at least two tandem wheels either of which is 18 inches or over in diameter and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front and two rear wheels.
Bus.Every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than ten passengers and used for the transportation of persons, and every motor vehicle other than a taxicab designed and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.
Crosswalk.That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs from the edges of the traversable roadway, and any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surfaces.
Curb.The edge of the roadway, marked or understood.
Driver.Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
Intersection.The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or if none, then the lateral boundary lines, of the roadways of two highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict; and where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of the divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. In the event the intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of the highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
Legal holiday.January 1 (New Year’s Day), July 4 (Independence Day), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (as designated by the city council), and December 25 (Christmas Day).
Limited access and controlled access highway.Every highway, street, or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over the highway, street, or roadway.
Loading zones.Spaces adjacent to a curb for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading and unloading of freight or passengers.
Negligence.The want of such care and caution as a person of ordinary prudence would use under like or similar circumstances. Negligence shall be prima facie presumed from the fact of the collision.
One-way street.Any street or highway on which traffic is restricted to movement in one direction only.
Operator.Any person in control of a vehicle including vehicles being towed or a railroad train. An engineer shall be presumed prima facie to be in control of a railroad train.
Parking.The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily, for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers. Double parking is the parking of a vehicle alongside any vehicle which is parallel parked, and behind any vehicle which is parked head-in, or alongside any curb or edge of a roadway where the wheels nearest the curb or edge of the roadway are more than 18 inches from the curb or edge of the roadway.
Parkway.That portion of a street or highway between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, not intended for the use of pedestrians; also, the intervening space between the roadways of a divided street or highway, or any island or area, whether or not clearly defined by curbs or markings, which divides any portion of any street, highway, or intersection into separate lanes for vehicular traffic.
Police officer.Every officer of the police department or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violation of traffic regulations.
Railroad sign or signal.Any sign, signal, or device erected by authority of a public body or official or by a railroad and intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or the approach or possibility of approach of a railroad train.
Stop.When required, means complete cessation of movement.
Stopping.When prohibited, means any stopping of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal.
Street.The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel, except an alley as defined in this section.
(1967 Code, sec. 18-1; 1994 Code, sec. 70.02; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)