(a) 
All traffic control devices, including signs, signals, and markings (pavement and/or curb), installed or used for the purpose of directing and controlling traffic within the city shall conform with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, Volumes I and II (hereafter called "the manual").
(b) 
For the purpose of this article, the term "official traffic control devices" shall mean all existing traffic control devices and those erected in the future by the city being consistent with the manual, state law, and this article.
(Code 1973, § 28-57; Code 1997, § 70.25; Ordinance 75-29, adopted 8/20/1975)
The driver of any vehicle, motor vehicle, or animal shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device, signal, or marking applicable thereto placed in accordance with this article, the manual, and any ordinance directing that such traffic control device, sign, or signal shall be installed or erected, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle permitted by this article.
(Code 1973, § 28-58; Code 1997, § 70.26; Ordinance 75-29, adopted 8/20/1975)
(a) 
In operating an authorized emergency vehicle, the operator may:
(1) 
Park or stand, irrespective of another provision of this article;
(2) 
Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, after slowing as necessary for safe operation;
(3) 
Exceed a maximum speed limit, except as provided by an ordinance adopted under Texas Transportation Code § 545.365, as long as the operator does not endanger life or property; and
(4) 
Disregard a regulation governing the direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
(b) 
In this subsection (b), the term "police escort" means facilitating the movement of a funeral, oversized or hazardous load, or other traffic disruption for public safety purposes by a peace officer described by Texas Code of Criminal Procedure art. 2.12(1)—(4), (8), (12), and (22). Subsection (a) of this section applies only when the operator is:
(1) 
Responding to an emergency call;
(2) 
Pursuing an actual or suspected violator of the law;
(3) 
Responding to but not returning from a fire alarm;
(4) 
Directing or diverting traffic for public safety purposes; or
(5) 
Conducting a police escort.
(c) 
Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle engaging in conduct permitted by subsection (a) of this section shall use, at the discretion of the operator in accordance with policies of the department or the local government that employs the operator, audible or visual signals that meet the pertinent requirements of Texas Transportation Code §§ 547.305 and 547.702.
(d) 
A volunteer firefighter who operates a private vehicle as an authorized emergency vehicle may engage in conduct permitted by subsection (a) of this section only when the firefighter is using visual signals meeting the pertinent requirements of Texas Transportation Code §§ 547.305 and 547.702. An authorized emergency vehicle that is operated as a police vehicle is not required to be equipped with or display a red light visible from the front of the vehicle. A police officer may operate an authorized emergency vehicle for a law enforcement purpose without using the audible or visual signals required by subsection (c) of this section if the officer is:
(1) 
Responding to an emergency call or pursuing a suspected violator of the law with probable cause to believe that:
a. 
Knowledge of the presence of the officer will cause the suspect to:
1. 
Destroy or lose evidence of a suspected felony;
2. 
End a suspected continuing felony before the officer has obtained sufficient evidence to establish grounds for arrest; or
3. 
Evade apprehension or identification of the suspect or the suspect's vehicle; or
b. 
Because of traffic conditions on a multilaned roadway, vehicles moving in response to the audible or visual signals may:
1. 
Increase the potential for a collision; or
2. 
Unreasonably extend the duration of the pursuit; or
(2) 
Complying with a written regulation relating to the use of audible or visible signals adopted by the local government that employs the officer or by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
(e) 
This section does not relieve the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle from:
(1) 
The duty to operate the vehicle with appropriate regard for the safety of all persons; or
(2) 
The consequences of reckless disregard for the safety of others.
(Code 1973, § 28-59; Code 1997, § 70.27; Ordinance 75-29, adopted 8/20/1975)
(a) 
The city commission shall by ordinance direct that the chief of police have the duty of erecting or installing upon, over, along, or beside any highway, street or alley, signs, signals and markings, or cause the same to be erected, installed, or placed in accordance with this article and consistent with the manual. Said traffic control devices shall be installed immediately, or as soon as such specific device, sign, or signal can be procured.
(b) 
Whenever the chief of police has erected and installed any official traffic control device, signal, or sign at any location in the city, or has caused the same to be done under his direction, in obedience to this article, the manual, or ordinance directing the erection of such device, signal, or sign, he shall thereafter file a report with the city secretary in writing and signed officially by the chief of police, stating the type of traffic control device, sign, or signal, and when and where the same was erected or installed. The city secretary shall file and maintain such report of the chief of police among the official papers of the office of the city secretary.
(c) 
Nothing herein contained shall prohibit public works department employees from erecting traffic control signs, signals, or markings at the site of street repairs, whether of ordinary or emergency nature.
(Code 1973, § 28-62; Code 1997, § 70.30; Ordinance 75-29, adopted 8/20/1975)
It being unlawful for any person other than the chief of police, acting pursuant to an ordinance of the city, to install or cause to be installed any signal, sign, or device purporting to direct the use of the streets or the activities on those streets of pedestrians, vehicles, motor vehicles, or animals, proof, in any prosecution for a violation of this article or any traffic ordinance of the city that any traffic control device, sign, signal, or marking was actually in place on any street shall constitute prima facie evidence that the same was installed by the chief of police pursuant to the authority of this article and of the ordinance directing the installation of such device, signal, or marking.
(Code 1973, § 28-63; Code 1997, § 70.31; Ordinance 75-29, adopted 8/20/1975)
The schedule of traffic control devices and the placement thereof known as Exhibit A[1] is incorporated herein as if fully set forth are ratified and deemed to be in compliance with this article.
(Code 1973, § 28-64; Code 1997, § 70.32; Ordinance 75-29, adopted 8/20/1975)
[1]
Editor's note — Exhibit A is on file in the office of the city secretary.