Whenever any terms used in this chapter are not defined herein
or in this section but are defined in the state laws regulating the
operation of vehicles, any such definition therein shall be deemed
to apply to such terms used herein.
Bicycle.
Every device propelled by human power upon which any person
may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels either of which is fourteen
inches (14") or larger in diameter, and including any device with
two (2) front or two (2) rear wheels.
Crosswalk.
(1)
That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the
connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides
of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs
from the edge of the traversable roadway.
(2)
Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly
indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the
surface.
(1990 Code, sec. 10.100)
Upon approval by the city council, the department of public
works shall place and maintain traffic control signs, signals, devices
and markings when and as required under the traffic regulations of
this city to make effective the provision of such regulations, and
may place and maintain such additional traffic-control devices as
the director of public works may deem necessary to regulate traffic
under the traffic regulations of the city or under state law, or to
guide or warn traffic.
(1990 Code, sec. 10.300)
The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle so as
to proceed in the opposite direction upon any street in a business
district and shall not upon any other street so turn a vehicle unless
such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other
traffic, and at no intersection controlled by a traffic-control sign
or signal.
(1990 Code, sec. 10.800)
Upon streets and portions of streets described by ordinance,
vehicular traffic shall move only in the indicated direction. Such
ordinances are not included in this section, but they are specifically
saved from repeal and are on file in the city secretary’s office.
(1990 Code, sec. 10.900; Ordinance
adopting Code)
No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any limited-access
roadway except at such entrances and exits as are established by public
authority.
(1990 Code, sec. 10.1100)
(a) Definition.
“Engine braking” shall mean
the use or operation of any mechanical exhaust device designed to
aid in the braking, decompression or deceleration of a motor vehicle
which results in the excessive, loud, unusual or explosive noise from
such vehicle in excess of state or federal noise standards for said
vehicles.
(b) Offense.
It shall be unlawful for the driver of any
vehicle to use or operate or cause to be used or operated within the
corporate city limits any engine brake, jake brake, compression brake,
dynamic braking system, mechanical exhaust device, or other similar
device designed to aid in the braking or deceleration of any vehicle
that results in excessive, loud, unusual, or explosive noise from
such vehicle.
(c) Exceptions.
(1) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the application
of unmuffled compression brakes where necessary for the protection
of persons and/or property, which cannot be avoided by application
of an alternative braking system.
(2) Noise caused by the application of engine compression brakes, otherwise
known as engine braking, which is effectively muffled, or if the application
is necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the community,
shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
(3) Sounds created by emergency equipment for emergency purposes shall
also be exempt.
(d) Erection of signs.
The director or public works shall
be and is hereby specifically authorized to erect such signage as
shall be necessary and appropriate for the enforcement of this section.
(Ordinance 05-181, sec. 2, adopted 12/13/05)
(a) The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except
where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Handheld mobile telephone.
A mobile telephone with which a user engages in a call using
at least one hand (or prosthetic device or aid, in the case of a physically
disabled person).
Hands-free mobile telephone.
A mobile telephone that has an internal feature or function
or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not
permanently part of such mobile telephone, by which a user engages
in a call without the use of either hand (or prosthetic device or
aid, in the case of a physically disabled person) whether or not the
use of the hand (or prosthetic device) is necessary to activate, deactivate,
or initiate a function of such telephone.
Mobile communication device.
A text-messaging device or other electronic, two-way communication
device that is designed to receive and transmit voice communication,
text communication, or both. The term includes a mobile telephone
and a personal digital assistant (PDA).
School zone.
Those zones designated as such by the city as provided for in section
18.05.004 of this chapter.
Text message.
A two-way communication (whether real-time or asynchronous)
in which data (composed in whole or in part of text, numbers, images,
or symbols) is sent, entered, or received by a method other than by
voice and transmitted through either a short message service (SMS)
or a computer network. The term does not include a communication transmitted
through a global positioning or navigation system.
Wireless telecommunication service.
Two-way real time voice or other data telecommunications
service that is interconnected to a public switched telephone network
and commonly referred to as cellular service or personal communication
service.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to use a handheld mobile telephone
to engage in a call or use a mobile communication device to send,
read, or write a text message, while operating a moving motor vehicle
in school zone:
(1) On an official school day;
(2) During the hours when the school zone is in effect.
(3) When signs stating, “No text messaging or handheld cell phone
use in active school zone,” or similar language is conspicuously
posted at each entrance to the school zone.
(c) An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a mobile telephone to or
in the immediate proximity of his or her ear while the vehicle is
in motion is presumed to be engaging in a call under this section.
Immediate proximity is any distance that permits the user of a mobile
telephone to hear telecommunications transmitted over the telephone
and does not require physical contact with the user’s ear.
(d) It is a defense to prosecution under this section if a person is:
(1) Using the mobile telephone or mobile communication device to report
illegal activity to a law enforcement agency; to communicate with
an emergency response operator, a fire department, a law enforcement
agency, a hospital, a physician’s office, or a heath clinic
regarding a medical or other emergency situation; or to prevent injury
to a person or property;
(2) Operating an authorized emergency vehicle and using the mobile telephone
or mobile communication device in the course and scope of the person’s
official duties; or
(3) Using a hands-free mobile telephone in a hands-free manner.
(e) Any person violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction thereof shall be fined a sum not exceeding five
hundred dollars ($500.00). An offense under this section is not a
moving violation and may not be made a part of a person’s driving
record or insurance record.
(Ordinance 09-052 adopted 8/25/09)
(a) No pedestrian or other person, who is within a roadway in a limited
pedestrian zone may stop, stand, sit or remain in any intersection,
roadway or crosswalk for a period longer than is necessary to transverse
that intersection or crosswalk.
(b) No pedestrian or other person who is within a limited pedestrian
zone may stop, stand, sit or remain within the immediate vicinity
of any vehicle stopped on a roadway.
(c) No pedestrian or other person who is within a limited pedestrian
zone shall stop, stand, sit or remain on or under any portion of a
median, bridge, overpass, or viaduct for longer than is necessary
to safely traverse that median, bridge, overpass or viaduct.
(d) The following areas of the city are each designated a limited pedestrian
zone:
(1) Any intersection, and extending two blocks in any direction, of any
interstate or state highway within the city limits, specifically including:
(e) It is an exception for fire fighters to stop, stand, sit or remain
in any limited pedestrian zone if participating in fundraising activities.
(Ordinance 20-028-00 adopted 5/26/20)
(a) Definitions.
Exhibition of acceleration.
Sudden acceleration or throttling of a vehicle resulting
in the screeching of the vehicle's tires or loss of traction between
the vehicle's tires and the roadway surface.
Exhibition of speed.
The operation of a motor vehicle to present a display of
speed, acceleration or power.
(b) Offense. It shall be unlawful for any person
to cause a motor vehicle to engage in an unnecessary exhibition of
acceleration or exhibition of speed within the corporate city limits
of Greenville, Texas.
(c) Penalty. Any person committing an offense under this section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine as provided for in section
1.01.009 of this code.
(Ordinance 23-025 adopted 9/12/2023)