ARTICLE 12.02 TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES

Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one (1) at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red and yellow shall be used, except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and such lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:

Green indication.

(A)

Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.

(B)

Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

(C)

Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal, as provided in section 12.02.008, pedestrians facing any green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

Steady yellow indication.

(A)

Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection.

(B)

Pedestrians facing a steady yellow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in section 12.02.008, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway.

(3)

Steady red indication.

(A)

Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, and may then turn right or, if the intersecting streets are both one-way streets and left turns are permissible, may turn left, after standing until the intersection may be entered safely, yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. Traffic not so turning shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown. The state transportation commission, city authorities, and commissioners courts, within their respective jurisdictions, may prohibit such turns on a steady red signal by posting a notice that turns of that type are prohibited. Such notice shall be erected at such intersection giving notice thereof.

(B)

Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in section 12.02.008, pedestrians facing a steady red signal alone shall not enter the roadway.

In the event an official traffic-control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.

(1987 Code, sec. 16-81)

§ 12.02.007 Flashing signals.

Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:

Flashing red (stop signal).

When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

Flashing yellow (caution signal).

When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through an intersection or past such signal only with caution.

This section does not apply at railroad grade crossings. Conduct of drivers of vehicles approaching railroad grade crossings shall be governed by the rules as set forth in V.T.C.A, Transportation Code, chapter 545.

(1987 Code, sec. 16-82)

§ 12.02.008 Pedestrian signals.

Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words “Walk,” “Don’t Walk” or “Wait” are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:

“Walk” signal.

Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.

§ 12.02.009 Display of unauthorized signs, signals or markings.

“Don’t Walk” or “Wait” signal.

No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the walk signal may proceed to the sidewalk or safety zone while the “Don’t Walk” or “Wait” signal is showing.

(1987 Code, sec. 16-83)

No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, 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 to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal.

§ 12.02.010 Designation of crosswalks, safety zones and other zones; marking of traffic lanes.

No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising.

(c)

No person shall place or maintain a flashing light or flashing electric sign of any kind or color within one thousand (1,000) feet of any intersection unless a permit is granted by the state transportation commission for such flashing light or electric sign.

(d)

This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.

(e)

In addition to being a misdemeanor as set out in the Transportation Code, every such prohibited sign, signal, light or marking is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and the authority having jurisdiction over the highway is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice.

(1987 Code, sec. 16-84)

The chief of police is hereby authorized to:

Designate and maintain, by appropriate devices, marks or lines upon the surface of the roadway, crosswalks at any intersection where, in his opinion, there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing the roadway, and at such other places as he may deem necessary;

Establish safety zones and quiet, play and other zones of such kind and character and at such places as he may deem necessary for the protection of the public;

(3)

Mark lanes for traffic on street pavements at such places as he may deem advisable, consistent with this chapter and other traffic ordinances of this city.

(1987 Code, sec. 16-86)

§ 12.02.011 Turning markers.

The chief of police is authorized to place markers, buttons or signs within or adjacent to intersections indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning at such intersections, and such course to be traveled as so indicated may conform to or be other than as prescribed by any provision of this code, state law or city ordinance, rule or regulation.