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 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.
(1993 Code, sec. 10.102)
(a) 
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, as the term “authorized emergency vehicle” is defined by suit 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 emergency vehicle may:
(1) 
Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this article or any ordinance.
(2) 
Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but for 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 the driver of any said vehicle in motion sounds an audible signal by bell, siren, or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and when the vehicle is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet (500') to the front of such vehicle, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red light visible from in front of the vehicle, and/or “cab over” emergency light.
(d) 
The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(1993 Code, sec. 10.103)
(a) 
No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any highway, street, or alley any unauthorized signs, 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 or directs the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of 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 sign 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, or city marshal is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be moved without notice.
(1993 Code, sec. 10.104)
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.
(1993 Code, sec. 10.105)
(a) 
The city council shall direct the person so designated [who] shall have the duty of erecting or installing upon, along, or beside any highway, street or alley signs, signals and markings, or cause the same to be erected, installed or placed in accordance with ordinance 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 person so designated by city council 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 his direction, in obedience to this article and the manual, shall thereafter file a report with the city administrator in writing and signed officially by the superintendent, stating the type of traffic-control device, sign or signal and when and where the same was erected and installed. The city administrator shall file and maintain such report of the superintendent among the official papers of the office of the city administrator.
(1993 Code, sec. 10.106; Ordinance adopting Code)
It being unlawful for any person other than the superintendent, acting pursuant to this article 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 or 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 superintendent pursuant to the authority of this article.
(1993 Code, sec. 10.107)
Any person convicted of violating any of the provisions of this article shall be punished by a fine in accordance with the general penalty provision found in section 1.01.009 of this code.
(1993 Code, sec. 10.108)