(a)
For the purpose of regulating traffic on the streets, alleys and
thoroughfares of the city, there is hereby adopted the state Uniform
Act Regulating Traffic on Highways, codified as article 6701d, Vernon’s
Annotated Civil Statutes, and all other state motor vehicle laws,
which act and laws, together with the provisions contained in this
chapter, shall be controlling in the regulation of traffic in the
city. A violation of said act or any state motor vehicle law for which
the municipal court has jurisdiction shall constitute and be punishable
as a violation of this Code of Ordinances.
(b)
All words and phrases in this chapter shall have the same meanings
and definitions ascribed to them in the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic
on Highways, being article 6701d of Vernon’s Annotated Civil
Statutes, or any other state motor vehicle law or city ordinance as
may be provided.
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.
(2001 Code, art. 12.200)
(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 emergency vehicle may:
(1)
Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this chapter or
any ordinance;
(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 the driver of any said vehicle in motion sounds
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.
(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.
(2001 Code, art. 12.300)
Upon the approach of any vehicle or apparatus of the fire department
in answering an alarm of fire, the drivers of any vehicle other than
a vehicle of the fire department shall drive as close as possible
to the right-hand curb and stop, and shall not follow within two hundred
feet (200') after the fire apparatus of said fire department has passed.
No driver of any vehicle of any kind shall park within one hundred
fifty feet (150') of a fire at any time.
(2001 Code, sec. 12.601)
Any vehicle pertaining to the fire department of the city shall
have prior right-of-way upon all streets, avenues or alleys of this
city during a fire or practice, and it shall be unlawful for any person,
driver, or chauffeur in charge or control of any buggy, wagon, automobile
or any other vehicle to carelessly, wantonly, willfully or maliciously
drive over a fire hose of said department during practice or an actual
fire.
(2001 Code, sec. 12.602)
(a)
It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person to operate or run upon
any paved public street in the city any vehicle which has on its periphery
any block, lug, stud, cleat, ridge, bead or any other protuberance
of metal that shall project more than one-fourth of an inch (1/4")
beyond the tread or traction surface of the tire, unless the wheels
are protected by bands, wooden blocks, skids or some sufficient device
to protect the street against injury by reason thereof.
(b)
Nothing herein shall prevent the use of tractors with cleats on the
driving wheels thereof on dirt or unimproved streets, or the use of
vehicles actually engaged at the time in construction or repair of
streets.
(2001 Code, art. 12.400)
(a)
Bicycle.
Downtown district.
Rollerblades.
Roller skates.
Scooter.
Sidewalk.
Skateboard.
Definitions.
Any device propelled by human power upon which any person
may ride, having two or more wheels, any of which is more than 14
inches in diameter.
The downtown district is that area of the city which is bounded
by the following: Seventh Street on the north, Sixth Street on the
south, Faires Street on the west and Market Street on the east.
A shoe with in-line wheels located along its sole, used for
gliding along a hard surface.
A shoe with a pair of small wheels located on the ends, used
for gliding along a hard surface.
Any device, either human powered or engine powered, upon
which a person may ride, having two or more wheels, used for gliding
along a hard surface, with the exception of a device used for or by
handicapped persons.
Paved public walkways intended for pedestrian traffic which
adjoin streets and/or alleys.
Any device propelled by human power upon which a person may
ride, consisting of a short oblong board with four or more wheels,
typically ridden in a standing position.
(b)
Prohibition.
No person shall ride a bicycle, roller
skates, rollerblades, scooter, skateboard, or other such similar device
on or along the sidewalks within the downtown district of the city.
(2001 Code, secs. 12.1201–12.1203)
