Sec. 19-66. - Conformity with state manual.

All traffic-control signs, signals and devices installed or erected in the city shall conform to the manual and specifications approved by the state highways and public transportation commission. All signs and signals required under this chapter shall so far as practicable be uniform as to type and location throughout the city. All traffic-control devices so erected and not inconsistent with the provisions of state law or this chapter shall be official traffic-control devices.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 6701d, § 31.

Sec. 19-67. - Obedience.

(a)

The driver of any vehicle, motor vehicle or animal shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control device, sign or signal applicable thereto placed in accordance with ordinance, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle permitted by this chapter.

(b)

Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the direction of any such sign.

Sec. 19-68. - Ratification of existing devices; schedules of devices specifying type, location, and authorizing ordinance number on file with the city clerk.

(a)

All traffic-control signs, signals, devices, and markings placed or erected prior to the adoption of this Code and in use for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic are hereby affirmed, ratified and declared to be official traffic-control devices, provided such traffic-control devices are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or state law.

(b)

The following schedules of devices, labeled "A" through "Q," shall be kept at the office of the city clerk on file for inspection by the public, and shall be updated by the city clerk with each change, deletion, or addition to any of the schedules:

(Ord. No. 65227, 6-25-87; Ord. No. 68746, § 1, 2-2-89; Ord. No. 72941, § 2, 1-17-91; Ord. No. 94755, § 1, 10-25-01; Ord. No. 97049, § 1, 1-16-03; Ord. No. 97622, § 1, 5-15-03; Ord. No. 97623, § 1, 5-15-03; Ord. No. 99085, § 1, 4-15-04; Ord. No. 99654, § 1, 9-2-04; Ord. No. 100422, § 1, 2-17-05; Ord. No. 101244, § 1, 8-28-05; Ord. No. 101382, §§ 1—3, 5, 9-15-05; Ord. No. 101495, § 1, 9-29-05; Ord. No. 2006-04-20-0521, § 1, 4-20-06; Ord. No. 2007-03-29-0358, § 1, 3-29-07; Ord. No. 2006-11-02-1275, § 1, 11-2-06; Ord. No. 2007-08-30-0914, § 1, 8-30-07; Ord. No. 2008-05-29-0451, § 1, 5-29-08; Ord. No. 2008-11-06-0990, § 1, 11-6-08; Ord. No. 2009-08-20-0660, § 1, 8-20-09; Ord. No. 2010-10-21-0915, § 1, 10-21-10; Ord. No. 2011-06-16-0504, § 1, 6-16-11; Ord. No. 2012-04-12-0266, § 1, 4-12-12)

Sec. 19-69. - Traffic and engineering survey.

Whenever the traffic engineer determines there is a necessity for the erection, removal or change of any traffic-control device or regulation such determination shall be based upon a traffic and engineering survey, conducted upon the following standards:

(1)

The public welfare, including safety and traffic factors to insure the safe and expeditious flow of traffic shall be considered.

(2)

The development of the property surrounding the proposed area shall be analyzed.

(3)

The requirements of vehicular traffic flow in the proposed area shall be determined.

(4)

The amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the proposed area shall be considered.

(5)

Any information that has been provided by property owners pursuant to section 19-82 of this Code.

(Code 1959, § 38-15; Ord. No. 84917, § 2, 10-3-96)

Sec. 19-70. - Traffic control information filed with clerk.

Whenever the traffic engineer shall erect, remove or change any traffic-control device or regulation, he shall file written information of such action with the city clerk.

(Code 1959, § 38-16)

Sec. 19-71. - Avoidance of traffic-control devices.

(a)

At the intersection of any streets at which vehicular traffic is controlled by an authorized traffic-control device it shall be unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle across the sidewalk area or across private property at such intersection to avoid complying with such traffic-control device.

(b)

No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

(Code 1959, § 38-24)

Sec. 19-72. - Traffic-control signal legend.

Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one 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 said lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:

(1)

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 this division, 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.

(2)

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, 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 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. Turns shall be prohibited on a steady red sign if a notice is posted at such intersection giving notice that such turns are prohibited.

b.

Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in this division, 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.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 6701d, § 33.

Sec. 19-73. - 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:

(1)

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.

(2)

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.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 6701d, § 35.

Sec. 19-74. - Lane-direction-control-signals.

When lane-direction-control signals are placed over the individual lanes of a street or highway, vehicular traffic may travel in any lane over which a green signal is shown, but shall not enter or travel in any lane over which a red signal is shown.

State law reference— Similar provisions, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 6701d, § 35A.

Sec. 19-75. - Obedience to directional signs at certain intersections.

(a)

Two (2) directional signs, one (1) pointing left only and the other pointing both left and straight ahead, as shown on a drawing adopted by reference which is on file in the office of the city clerk, are hereby authorized at the following locations to control traffic as stated:

(1)

Going south on Pecos for left turn into Houston Street.

(2)

Going south on St. Mary's for left turn into Houston Street.

(3)

Going east on Houston Street for left turn into Navarro Street.

(b)

When a directional sign is located in advance of an intersection and that directional sign consists of two (2) arrows, the right arrow indicates a right hand turn with the subscript ONLY under it and the left arrow having a double head indicating either a straight ahead or right turn, the vehicular traffic in the right lane must turn right. The traffic in the adjacent lane may turn right or proceed ahead, be authorized at the following locations to control traffic as stated:

(1)

Going south on St. Mary's (S) for right turn into Commerce (E).

(c)

It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to fail to proceed in the direction specified by the directional sign for his lane of traffic at the location set out in subsections (a) and (b) above.

(Code 1959, § 38-24.1; Ord. No. 32330, § 1, 5-28-64; Ord. No. 37295, § 1, 2-27-69; Ord. No. 41554, § 1, 12-7-72; Ord. No. 41914, § 1, 3-8-73)

Sec. 19-76. - Obedience to no-turn signs.

Wherever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right, left, or "U" turn is permitted, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of any such sign.

(Code 1959, § 38-25)

Sec. 19-77. - Specific prohibited turns.

(a)

Whenever signs are erected pursuant to separate ordinance, giving notice thereof, no person shall operate his vehicle so as to make a prohibited turn at any intersection described in such ordinance.

(b)

It is hereby expressly provided that the driver of any vehicle who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Code 1959, § 38-25.1; Ord. No. 36183, §§ 1, 3, 2-1-68; Ord. No. 47456, 12-9-76; Ord. No. 49413, §§ 1, 2, 5-25-78)

Sec. 19-78. - Full signal operation locations.

All official traffic-control devices established by separate ordinance and located within the corporate limits of this city and which are situated at street intersections are hereby established as official traffic-control devices to be in full signal operation at such street intersections. All such traffic-control devices are hereby expressly found to conform to the manual and specifications of the state department of highways and public safety.

(Code 1959, § 38-27; Ord. No. 30204, § 1, 3-14-62)

Sec. 19-79. - Right turn and left turn prohibited at certain intersections.

(a)

Whenever signs are erected at intersections pursuant to separate ordinances of the city, which prohibit right turns on a red signal, the driver or operator of any vehicle shall not be permitted to make a right turn when facing the red signal.

(b)

Whenever signs are erected at intersections enumerated pursuant to separate ordinances of the city, which prohibit left turns on a red signal, the driver or operator of any vehicle shall not be permitted to make a left turn when facing the red signal.

(Code 1959, § 38-27.1; Ord. No. 41660, § 1, 1-4-73; Ord. No. 42683, § 1, 8-23-73)

Sec. 19-80. - Pedestrian "walk," "don't walk" and "wait" signal lights.

(a)

Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words "walk," "wait" or "don't walk" are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:

(1)

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

(2)

"Don't Walk," or "Wait." No pedestrians shall start to cross the street in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the "walk" signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the "don't walk" or "wait" signal is showing.

(b)

No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than in a crosswalk in any business district.

(Code 1959, § 38-28)

State law reference— Similar provisions, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 6701d, § 34.

Sec. 19-81. - "Do Not Enter" signs.

Whenever official traffic control signs are erected at intersections of the city, which prohibit entry onto a street, the driver or operator of any vehicle shall not enter upon said prohibited street.

All such signs are hereby expressly found to conform to the manual and specifications of the State Department of Highways and Public Safety.

(Ord. No. 68746, § 2, 2-2-89)

Secs. 19-82—19-95. - Reserved.

Editor's note—

Ord. No. 2009-08-20-0661, § 2, adopted August 20, 2009, repealed the former sections 19-82, 19-83, 19-83.1 and 19-84 in their entirety, which pertained to traffic impact analysis (TIA) required, TIA format, TIA review fees, and point at which TIA is required, respectively, and derived from Ord. No. 84917, § 3, adopted October 3, 1996; Ord. No. 85561, §§ 1, 2, adopted February 6, 1997, and Ord. No. 91700, §§ 2, 3, adopted April 27, 2000.