When used in this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
Alley.
A public way in the city extending either partly or through any city block in the rear of city lots and in a direction generally from avenue to avenue, not more than twenty (20) feet in width and capable of being traversed by a vehicle.
Authorized emergency vehicle.
Vehicles of the fire department or fire patrol, police vehicles, public and private ambulances for which permits have been issued by the state board of health, emergency vehicles of city departments or public service corporations as are designated or authorized by the city, and private vehicles operated by volunteer firemen while answering a fire alarm or by emergency medical service personnel responding to a medical emergency, and vehicles operated by blood banks or tissue banks, accredited or approved under the laws of this state or the United States, while making deliveries of blood, drugs, medicines or organs.
Bus.
A commercial vehicle carrying passengers for hire and operating over and along a fixed route.
Bus stop.
A section of the roadway along the edge thereof, authorized by order of the city council, marked by signs reading “bus stop” as a place for the sole use and convenience of the general public to board and depart from any bus.
Business district.
The territory contiguous to and including a roadway when, within any six hundred (600) feet along the roadway, there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes which occupy three hundred (300) feet of frontage on one (1) side or three hundred (300) feet collectively on both sides of the roadway.
Crosswalk.
That part of a roadway at any intersection included within the connection of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the street, whether marked or not, measured from the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway. The word “crosswalk” also includes any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
Driver.
That person who drives or is in actual physical control of the movement of a vehicle.
Driveway, private.
Any entrance or exit over the sidewalk or sidewalk area of any street affording a means of ingress or egress for vehicles to or from any private property, or the entrance or exit of any private garage into or from any alley.
Driveway, public.
Any entrance or exit over the sidewalk or sidewalk area of any street affording a means of ingress or egress for vehicles to or from any public property.
Exhibition of acceleration.
The practice of starting any motor vehicle from a standing position by applying a sudden burst of power, recognized by spinning rear wheels and noise of tires on the surface of the roadway.
Intersection.
The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curblines, or, if none, then lateral boundary lines, of the roadways of two (2) streets which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different streets joining at any other angle may come in conflict. Where a street includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of the divided street by an intersecting street shall be regarded as a separate intersection. If the intersecting street also includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways of the streets shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
Laned roadway.
A roadway which is divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
Limited-access or controlled-access highway.
Every highway, street or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting property or 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 zone.
That portion of any roadway set apart, marked and numbered for the sole use of the public as a place for loading or unloading passengers, merchandise or other cargo.
Motor vehicle.
Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
Motorcycle.
Every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.
No parking zone.
A space on the roadway adjacent to the curb, whether marked by official signs or not, in which no vehicle may be parked.
Official traffic-control devices.
All signs, signals, markings, and devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
Park or parking.
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than a temporary stopping of the vehicle for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers, merchandise or other cargo, except an involuntary stopping of the vehicle by reason of mechanical failure or direction of a police officer.
Parking stall or parking space.
That portion or section of a roadway adjacent to the curbing or edge, set apart, marked and bounded by lines painted or marked upon the surface of the roadway and extending into the roadway for the use of parking vehicles, or that portion of any alley marked by official signs showing the space to be a parking zone.
Pedestrian.
Any person afoot.
Policeman or police officer.
Any member of the police department of the city authorized by law to make arrests in traffic offenses.
Residence district.
The territory contiguous to and including a street not comprising a business district, when the property on the street for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or more is, in the main, improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.
Right-of-way.
The privilege of immediate use of the roadway.
Roadway.
That portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. If a street includes two (2) or more separate roadways, the term “roadway” shall refer to any roadway separately but not to all roadways collectively.
Safety zone.
The area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
Sidewalk.
That portion of a street between the curblines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for the use of pedestrians.
Stop.
When required, means complete cessation of movement.
Stop, stopping or standing.
When prohibited, means any stopping or standing 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 or highway.
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.
Traffic.
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street for purposes of travel.
Traffic-control signal.
Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
Truck.
A motor vehicle designed primarily for the transportation of cargo.
U-turn.
The turning or causing the turning of a vehicle, so that when the turn is completed the vehicle will be headed in the opposite direction from that in which it was headed before the turning was begun, whether or not the vehicle is pulled into a driveway or any space beyond the curbline of the street.
Vehicle.
Any device in, upon or by which any person or property may be or is transported upon any street within the corporate limits of the city, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-1)
The purpose of the regulations prescribed by this chapter is to ensure to the people the maximum use and benefit of the public streets of the city and yet retain the maximum degree of safety to prevent injury to person and property.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-2)
Officers of the police department or such officers as are assigned by the chief of police are hereby authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand or signal in conformance with this chapter and other traffic laws. During a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, officers of the police department may direct traffic as conditions may require notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter and other traffic laws.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-3)
(a) 
No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of a police officer invested by law with authority to direct, control or regulate traffic.
(b) 
No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction to stop and yield to pedestrians given by any school crossing guard while in the performance of his duties in a designated school crossing zone.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-4)
The provisions of this chapter applicable to the drivers of vehicles upon the highways shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the United States, this state or any county, city, town, district, or any other political subdivision of the state, subject to such specific exceptions as are set forth in this chapter with reference to authorized emergency vehicles.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-6)
(a) 
The provisions of this chapter regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall apply to authorized emergency vehicles, except that a driver, when responding to an emergency call or when in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire call, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions herein stated. He may:
(1) 
Park or stand notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter;
(2) 
Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
(3) 
Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions;
(4) 
Exceed the prima facie speed limits established by this chapter so long as life and property are not endangered.
(b) 
The exemption granted above shall apply only when the driver of the vehicle is making use of audible or visual signals meeting the requirements of V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, section 546.003, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red light visible from the front of the vehicle.
(c) 
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle that is used for law enforcement purposes may operate without using the emergency warning devices required by subsection (b) only when the driver is responding to an emergency call or when he is in pursuit of a suspected violator of the law and he has probable cause to believe that:
(1) 
Knowledge of his presence will cause the suspect to destroy or lose evidence of a suspected felony;
(2) 
Knowledge of his presence will cause the suspect to cease a suspected continuing felony before the driver has acquired sufficient evidence to establish grounds for arrest;
(3) 
Knowledge of his presence will cause the suspect to evade apprehension or identification of the suspect or his vehicle; or
(4) 
Traffic conditions on a multi-laned roadway are such that movements of motorists in response to the emergency warning devices may increase the potential for a collision or may unreasonably extend the duration of the pursuit.
(d) 
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle that is used for law enforcement purposes may not operate without using the emergency warning devices as provided above unless he has first notified a designated office of his intention to operate without such devices. The designated office to which such notification is made shall keep an accurate record of the exact time notification is received.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-7)
No person shall ride on any vehicle upon any portion thereof not designated or intended for the use of passengers. This provision shall not apply to any employee engaged in the necessary discharge of a duty or to persons riding within truck bodies in space intended for merchandise.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-9)
A person operating a motorcycle shall not ride other than upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto or carry any other person, nor shall any other person ride upon the motorcycle other than upon a firmly attached seat to the rear or the side of the operator.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-10)
(a) 
Any person who drops or permits to be dropped or thrown upon any street or alley any destructive or injurious material shall immediately remove the same or cause it to be removed.
(b) 
Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from any street or alley shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon the street or alley from the vehicle.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-13)
Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four (4) feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times specified in V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, section 547.382, two (2) red lamps visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the rear, two (2) red reflectors visible at night from all distances within six hundred (600) feet to one hundred (100) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps and located so as to indicate maximum width, and on each side one (1) red lamp visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the side and located so as to indicate maximum overhang. There shall be displayed at all other times on any vehicle having a load which extends beyond its sides or more than four (4) feet beyond its rear, red flags, not less than twelve (12) inches square, marking the extremities of such load, at each point where a lamp would otherwise be required by this section.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-14)
It shall be unlawful for any person, other than a city employee, to remove or damage any barriers erected under the direction of the chief of police either closing a street or for the purpose of warning traffic of an obstruction in the street.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-15)
The person in charge of any garage or repair shop to which is brought any motor vehicle which shows evidence of having been involved in an accident, of which report must be made as provided in V.T.C.A, Transportation Code, section 550.067, or struck by any bullet, shall report to the police department within twenty-four (24) hours after the motor vehicle is received, giving the engine number, the registration number and the name and address of the owner or operator of the vehicle.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-16)
(a) 
Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle in the city.
(b) 
The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
(c) 
Every new motor vehicle and new motor vehicle engine beginning with the model year 1968 shall at all times be so equipped that crankcase emissions are not discharged into the ambient atmosphere from the vehicle or engine.
(d) 
The owner or operator of any new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine beginning with the model year 1968 equipped with an exhaust emission system shall maintain the exhaust emission system in good operable condition and shall use it at all times that the motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine is operated. The owner or operator of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine shall not remove or intentionally make inoperable within the state the exhaust emission system, or any part thereof, except where the purpose of removal of the exhaust emission system, or part thereof, is to install another exhaust emission system, or part thereof, which is intended to be equally effective in reducing atmospheric emissions from the vehicle or engine.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-17)
(a) 
No parade or procession, excepting the forces of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, the military forces of the state, and the forces of the police and fire departments, shall occupy, march or proceed along any street, sidewalk or any other public place or way in the city, except in accordance with a permit therefor issued by the chief of police and such other regulations as are set forth in this chapter which may apply.
(b) 
A funeral composed of a procession of vehicles shall be identified as such by the display upon the outside of each vehicle of a pennant or other identifying insignia or by any other method as may be determined and designated by the traffic division.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-18)
Each driver in a funeral or other authorized procession shall drive as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as practical and shall follow the vehicle ahead as close as is practical and safe.
(1987 Code, sec. 16-49)