(a)
Maximum speed generally.
No person shall drive a vehicle
on a street or highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent
under the conditions then existing, having regard to the actual and
potential hazards when approaching a crossing or intersection, when
approaching or going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest,
when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway or when special
hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason
of weather or highway conditions; and in every event, speed shall
be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person,
vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the street or highway in
compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to
use due care.
(b)
General speed limit.
Where no special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with subsection (a) above, the speed of thirty (30) miles per hour shall be lawful, and any speed in excess of thirty (30) miles per hour shall be unlawful, unless posted for a greater speed by lawful official traffic signs or devices.
(c)
Speed limit in school zones.
Where no special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with subsection (a) above, the speed of twenty (20) miles per hour in a signposted “school zone” during school or designated hours shall be lawful and any speed in excess of twenty (20) miles per hour shall be unlawful.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 7A; 2004
Code, sec. 12.701)
Whenever the city council shall determine upon the basis of
a survey conducted by the police department or the state department
of transportation that the thirty (30) miles per hour speed hereinbefore
set forth is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under conditions
found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part
of any street or highway, the city council shall determine what it
considers to be safe and reasonable and the safe speed limit thereat,
which shall be effective at all times thereafter when appropriate
signs giving notice thereof are erected at such intersections or other
places or parts of such street.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 7B; 2004
Code, sec. 12.702)
(a)
The following speed limits are adopted for vehicles traveling on the following types of streets and roadways in the city limits, which streets and roadways are shown on the master thoroughfare plan, revised October 2003; subject, however, to the exceptions listed in section 12.05.034 of this code:
(1)
Minor collector (C) (red): Maximum 30 miles per hour.
(2)
Major collector (M4U) (light green): Maximum 30 miles per hour.
(3)
Major collector (M5U) (blue): Maximum 30 miles per hour.
(4)
Major thoroughfare (P6D) (dark green): Maximum 35 miles per hour.
(5)
Major thoroughfare (P6U) (brown): Maximum 30 miles per hour.
(6)
Residential (black/white): Maximum 20 miles per hour.
(b)
A copy of the master thoroughfare plan, revised October 2003, is
attached to Ordinance 760, marked as exhibit A, and is made a part
hereof by reference and on file in the office of the city manager
or his/her designee.
(Ordinance 760 adopted 10/12/04; 2004 Code, sec. 12.703; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)
(a)
State-maintained roadways.
The following speed limits
are adopted for the following state-maintained roadways in the city
limits:
(1)
IH 820, southwest bound and northeast bound frontage roads (from
Fort Worth city limits to Lake Worth city limits): Maximum 40 miles
per hour.
(2)
Jacksboro Highway (SH 199): Maximum 40 miles per hour.
(3)
Boat Club Road (4200 and 4300 blocks): Maximum 45 miles per hour,
except during school zone hours when the speed limit shall be 30 miles
per hour.
(4)
Azle Avenue (5900 block to 6100 block): Maximum 45 miles per hour.
(b)
School zones.
The following streets or roadways are
designated “school zones” with a maximum speed limit of
20 miles per hour during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during
school days, such streets being shown on the master thoroughfare plan:
(c)
Park areas.
The maximum speed limit for vehicles traveling
upon streets or roads in a city park is hereby set at 20 miles per
hour. The chief of police has the authority to erect such signs as
are necessary to inform the public of the speed limit upon these streets
or roads.
(Ordinance 760 adopted 10/12/04; Ordinance 1080 adopted 5/9/17; 2004 Code, sec.
12.704)
(a)
No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to
impede or block the normal reasonable movement of traffic except when
reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with
law.
(b)
Police officers are hereby authorized to enforce this provision by
directions to drivers, and apparent willful disobedience of this provision
or refusal to comply with the direction of an officer shall constitute
a separate offense.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 7E; 2004
Code, sec. 12.705)
The speed limitations set forth in this division shall not apply
to an authorized emergency vehicle when used in the pursuit of an
actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to but
not returning from a fire alarm; or an ambulance upon an emergency
call; provided, however, that it shall be unlawful to drive an ambulance
upon an emergency call within the city limits at a rate of speed in
excess of forty-five (45) miles per hour upon any street with the
exception of State Highway 199, and it shall be unlawful to drive
an ambulance upon an emergency call without a driver of said ambulance
sounds audible signal by bell, siren, or whistle and when such emergency
vehicle is equipped with at least one (1) light lamp exhibiting red
visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five
hundred (500) feet to the front of such vehicle. This provision shall
not relieve the driver of any authorized emergency vehicle from the
duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using
the street, nor shall it protect the driver of any such vehicle from
the consequences of a reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(1987 Code, ch. 9, sec. 7F; 2004
Code, sec. 12.706)
