(a) Prohibited.
No person shall operate an engine of any
motor vehicle, as defined by Texas Transportation Code section 541.201,
so to “brake” or slow the motor vehicle through the use
of gears (commonly referred to as “jake braking” or “engine
braking”) or by any other method which produces any noise in
addition to the normal operating engine noise.
(b) Penalty.
Any person who violates any portion of this
section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction be subject
to a fine of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00). Each incident
that violates this section shall be considered a separate offense.
(Ordinance 06-O-84, secs. 2, 3,
adopted 11/27/2006; 2009 Code,
sec. 12.02.001)
(a) Definitions.
Handheld mobile communication device.
A text-messaging device or other electronic, two-way communication
device that uses a commercial mobile service, as defined by 47 U.S.C.
332, that is designed to receive and transmit voice communication,
text messages or pictorial communication, or both, whether by internet
or other electronic means. The term includes a mobile telephone and/or
a personal digital assistant (PDA).
Hands-free mode.
Speakerphone capability or a telephone attachment or other
piece of equipment, regardless of whether permanently installed in
the motor vehicle or part of the mobile telephone, that allows use
of the wireless communication device without use of either of the
operator’s hands (or prosthetic device or aid in the case of
a physically disabled person).
Park or parked.
The operator to completely cease movement of a motor vehicle
in a lawful manner or location. For purposes of this section, “parked”
does not include or mean a vehicle stopped in a lane of traffic due
to either a lawful traffic-control device, or the condition on the
roadway, or traffic congestion patterns then existing.
Use.
Employing a wireless communications device for any reason
including, without limitation, the following activities while holding
or touching the device:
(1)
Dialing or deactivating a phone call;
(2)
Speaking or listening to a conversation;
(3)
Viewing, taking, or transmitting electronic images;
(4)
Composing, sending, viewing, accessing, browsing, retrieving,
or saving email messages, text messages, or other electronic data;
(5)
Entering or changing information in a global position or navigation
system or any software or application designed for navigation;
(6)
Accessing or viewing an internet website or computer application;
(8)
Engaging in any other use of the device while operating a moving
motor vehicle; or
(9)
In a manner that is unsafe or creates a hazard for other road
users.
Wireless communication device.
Has the meaning assigned in section 545.425 (use of wireless
communication device; offense) of the Texas Transportation Code.
(b) Use while vehicle is in motion prohibited.
A driver
of a motor vehicle may not use a wireless communication device while
the motor vehicle is in motion.
(c) Use in school crossing zone.
(1) The city council hereby enforces Texas Transportation Code, section
545.425, prohibitions within school crossing zones, as defined by
Texas Transportation Code, section 541.302, located in the city now
and in the future.
(2) The city manager is hereby directed to post the appropriate signs
to enforce Texas Transportation Code, section 545.425, within the
school crossing zones in the city.
(d) Use while operating bus with minor passenger.
An operator
may not use a wireless communication device while operating a passenger
bus with a minor passenger on the bus unless the passenger bus is
stopped.
(e) Defenses.
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution
of an offense under this section if a wireless communication device
is used:
(1) While the vehicle is stopped;
(2) In a hands-free mode of operation and used to engage in telephone
communication or to listen to audio transmissions;
(3) As a global positioning or navigation system if directions are given
audibly or affixed to the vehicle;
(4) Solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free mode; or
(5) For obtaining emergency assistance to report a crime, traffic accident,
medical emergency, or serious traffic hazard, or to prevent a crime
about to be committed, to:
(A) An emergency response service, including a rescue, emergency, medical,
or hazardous material response service;
(E) A medical doctor’s office;
(F) An individual to administer first-aid treatment; or
(f) Exceptions.
This section does not apply to:
(1) An operator of an authorized emergency vehicle using a wireless communication
device while acting in an official capacity;
(2) An operator who is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission
while operating a radio frequency device other than a wireless communication
device; or
(3) An operator while the vehicle is legally parked or is being driven
on private property.
(g) Nature of offense.
An offense under this section is
not a moving violation and may not be made a part of the person’s
driving record or insurance record.
(h) Authority to enforce.
In addition to enforcement by
a police officer of the city this section may be enforced by a peace
officer or another entity, including those employed by school districts,
duly authorized to issue traffic citations within the city.
(i) Penalty.
A violation under this section shall be punishable
as a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than $1.00
or more than $200.00.
(Ordinance 15-O-05 adopted 2/23/2015; 2009 Code, sec. 12.02.002)
(a) Generally.
It is an offense for any person to drive
or operate a motor vehicle upon the identified portions of the streets
that have been designated as a one-way traffic street, in any direction
other than as below stated and as signage indicating a one-way street
is posted as depicted on attachment B attached to Ordinance 19-O-30.
(b) One-way traffic streets designated.
(1) Eastbound on Grange Street between Stubblefield Road and Loop 332;
(2) Westbound on Munro Street between Loop 332 and Stubblefield Road;
(3) Eastbound on Fallwell Street between Stubblefield Road and County
Road 279;
(4) Westbound on Aynsworth between County Road 279 and Barton Lane; and
(5) Northbound on Barton Lane between Aynsworth and RM 1869.
(c) Penalty.
A violation under this section shall be punishable
as a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than $1.00
or more than $200.00.
(Ordinance 19-O-30 adopted 5/28/2019)
(a) A person commits an offense if he drives or operates a motor vehicle
at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances
then existing.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate a motor vehicle
upon a public street, roadway, or highway within the city at a speed
greater than the posted speed designated on attachment A attached
to Ordinance 02-O-07 and incorporated herein for all purposes. Any
speed in excess of the posted speed limit shall be prima facie evidence
that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and is unlawful.
(c) In the event speed limit signs are not erected indicating a higher
or lower speed limit, then it shall be unlawful for any person to
drive or operate a motor vehicle upon a public street, roadway, or
highway within the city at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour.
Any speed in excess of the presumed speed limit of 30 miles per hour
shall be prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or
prudent and is unlawful.
(d) No provision of this section shall be construed to repeal, supersede,
or amend any part of any section or order that establishes school
zones within the city.
(e) All speed limits in effect and posted at the time of the adoption
of this section and not altered by attachment A to Ordinance 02-O-07
are deemed to have been properly determined reasonable and prudent
for the streets or portions thereof so posted, and are hereby ratified.
(f) This section shall not apply to:
(1) An authorized emergency vehicle responding to a call;
(3) A physician or ambulance responding to an emergency call.
(g) The speed limits adopted in subsection
(b) and contained in attachment A to Ordinance 02-O-07 shall become effective when the city erects signs giving notice of the speed limit.
(h) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor and shall be punishable
by a fine of not less than $1.00 or more than $200.00.
(Ordinance 02-O-07, secs 2-4, adopted 5/13/2002; 2009 Code, sec. 12.02.031)
Ordinances establishing special speed limits, including school
speed zones, for specific streets, not listed in exhibit A to Ordinance
02-O-07, are not included in this code, but such ordinances are on
file in the city secretary’s office. Ordinances establishing
special speed limits are specifically saved from repeal upon adoption
of the Code of Ordinances.
(Ordinance adopting 2009 Code; 2009
Code, sec. 12.02.032)