3026), Sec. (k) This section expires when the national maximum speed limits are repealed. (a) In this section: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Transportation Commission. 3190), Sec. If a flagger is provided by the railroad, the operator shall move the vehicle or equipment over the crossing at the flagger's direction. (c) An operator shall, consistent with Subsections (a) and (b), drive at an appropriate reduced speed if: (1) the operator is approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing; (2) the operator is approaching and going around a curve; (3) the operator is approaching a hill crest; (4) the operator is traveling on a narrow or winding roadway; and. All governmental entities responsible for administering traffic safety programs and enforcing traffic laws shall use all available resources to notify the public of the effect of the order. (b-3) A sign posted under Subsection (b-2)(1) must be readable to an operator traveling at the applicable speed limit. 1, eff. 1160 (H.B. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. September 1, 2007. 1372), Sec. 165, Sec. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1, eff. https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/transportation-code/transp-sect-550-022/, Read this complete Texas Transportation Code - TRANSP 550.022. 545.3051. Texas Transportation Code Sec. (c) An operator may not, except temporarily to load or unload merchandise or passengers, park an occupied or unoccupied vehicle: (1) within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing; or. OPERATOR OF AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLE. 1346, Sec. 183), Sec. 545.453. PASSING TO THE LEFT: PASSING ZONES. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1560), Sec. (b) The commission by order may restrict, by class of vehicle, through traffic to two or more designated lanes of a highway. 1759), Sec. 165, Sec. 545.358. (c) An order or ordinance under Subsection (b) must allow a restricted vehicle to use any lane of the highway to pass another vehicle and to enter and exit the highway. in narrative) 47-ill (exp. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs. 9, eff. (2) the operator is subject to a fine if the operator uses a portable wireless communication device for electronic messaging while operating a motor vehicle in this state. Sept. 1, 1995. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the operator of a motor bus carrying passengers for hire, before crossing a railroad grade crossing: (1) shall stop the vehicle not closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad; (2) while stopped, shall listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train or other on-track equipment and signals indicating the approach of a train or other on-track equipment; and. Sec. 1325, Sec. (a) In this section, "construction or maintenance work zone" has the meaning assigned by Section 472.022. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1, eff. According to the Texas Transportation Code, every person who drives on Texas roads is required to carry minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 for property damage and $30,000 per person or $60,000 per accident for bodily injury. OBSTRUCTION OF OPERATOR'S VIEW OR DRIVING MECHANISM. 8, eff. (a) An operator on a highway, when approaching from either direction a school bus stopped on the highway to receive or discharge a student: (1) shall stop before reaching the school bus when the bus is operating a visual signal as required by Section 547.701; and, (B) the operator is signaled by the bus driver to proceed; or. Sec. (2) may not be extended unless established by the Texas Transportation Commission under Section 545.353. REGULATION OF TOWING COMPANIES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES. 547. 882 (H.B. Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. In this chapter: (1) "On-track equipment" means any car, rolling stock, equipment, or other device that, alone or coupled to another device, is operated on a railroad track. 1055), Sec. 1, eff. Sec. 165, Sec. Sec. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT INVOLVING PEDESTRIAN OR OTHER VULNERABLE ROAD USER WITHIN AREA OF CROSSWALK; OFFENSE. (2) observes the violation while on a moving engine. 1, eff. As unsafe conditions and unsafe acts are the primary causes of property damage and injuries, the Department is dedicated to providing safe equipment and safe conditions for employee performance. 4 (S.B. (e) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that: (1) the person has previously been convicted one time of an offense under that subsection; or. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, a licensed human operator is not required to operate a motor vehicle if an automated driving system installed on the vehicle is engaged. 1093), Sec. BUSES TO STOP AT ALL RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 265 (H.B. (e) The Texas Transportation Commission, for a state highway, the Texas Turnpike Authority, for any part of a turnpike constructed and maintained by the authority, and a local authority for a highway under the jurisdiction of the local authority, may investigate a bridge or other elevated structure that is a part of a highway. 1257 (H.B. Sec. The Texas Department of Transportation shall adopt standards that: (1) allow for a sign required to be posted under this subsection to be attached to an existing sign at a minimal cost; and. (4) the operator is on a roadway restricted to one-way traffic. It's best to do this all the time with well-developed scanning habits. Sec. (2) "Construction or maintenance work zone" has the meaning assigned by Section 472.022. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the operator of a school bus, before crossing a track at a railroad grade crossing: (1) shall stop the vehicle not closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the track; (b) After stopping as required by Subsection (a), the operator may proceed in a gear that permits the vehicle to complete the crossing without a change of gears. (c) A temporary speed limit established under this section: (1) is a prima facie prudent and reasonable speed limit enforceable in the same manner as other prima facie speed limits established under other provisions of this subchapter; and. However, lack of evasive action is only applicable in situations where a driver could have reacted to prevent an accident but chose not to. OPERATION OF AUTOMATED MOTOR VEHICLES. That prompted FAA Administrator Billy Nolen to say earlier this month that he was putting together a team of experts to review airline safety. (a) On the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702, or of a police vehicle lawfully using only an audible or visual signal, an operator, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall: (2) immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection; and. (2) the appropriate traffic-control devices are in place. (repealed by RA 10883) . (d) The authority's power to alter prima facie speed limits is effective and exclusive on any part of a turnpike project constructed and maintained by the authority inside and outside the limits of a municipality, including a home-rule municipality. The procedure for repealing an order is the same as for adopting an order, except that the commission and the governor must find that the facts required to support the issuance of an order under Subsection (c) no longer exist. Sec. (B) a road tractor, truck tractor, pole trailer, or semitrailer, as those terms are defined by Section 541.201. (2) requires the key to be placed in the ignition or physically present in the vehicle before the vehicle can be operated. (b) An operator being passed by another vehicle: (1) shall, on audible signal, move or remain to the right in favor of the passing vehicle; and. April 23, 2021 / 11:24 AM / CBS Texas DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A 2-year-old has died after the child was ejected from a vehicle on a highway in Dallas Wednesday evening, authorities said. 1, eff. TRAFFIC FACTS PROJECT FACT SHEET STUDY OVERVIEW . (2) leave a door on the side of a vehicle next to moving traffic open for longer than is necessary to load or unload a passenger. 1, eff. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $200. (2) show the proper method to attach safety chains between the trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, or drawn motor vehicle and the drawing vehicle. Sept. 1, 1999. September 1, 2021. 1, eff. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. (B) five miles per hour when the posted speed limit is less than 25 miles per hour. 545.420. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. (a) A person may not operate a school bus if: (1) the door of the school bus is open; or. September 1, 2011. Sec. 229 (H.B. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 545.155. 1607), Sec. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 229 (H.B. September 1, 2013. Since Texas is a fault insurance state, any driver who causes an accident must pay for the damages of any injured victims. (3) "Entire dynamic driving task" means the operational and tactical aspects of operating a vehicle. SPEED LIMIT EXCEPTION FOR EMERGENCIES; MUNICIPAL REGULATION. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Sec. & Rem.Code Ann. (a) A peace officer listed under Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a license and weight inspector of the department may remove or require the operator or a person in charge of a vehicle to move a vehicle from a highway if the vehicle: (1) is unattended on a bridge, viaduct, or causeway or in a tube or tunnel and the vehicle is obstructing traffic; (2) is unlawfully parked and blocking the entrance to a private driveway; (4) is identified as having been stolen in a warrant issued on the filing of a complaint; (5) is unattended and the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the vehicle has been abandoned for longer than 48 hours; (6) is disabled so that normal operation is impossible or impractical and the owner or person in charge of the vehicle is: (A) incapacitated and unable to provide for the vehicle's removal or custody; or. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. To the extent of any conflict between the ordinance and Subsection (a)(1), the ordinance controls. 1021 (H.B. (2) subject to all applicable United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration rules, post a message that complies with Subdivision (1) on any dynamic message sign operated by the local authority located on a state highway, U.S. highway, or interstate highway in the jurisdiction of the local authority. AUTHORITY OF MUNICIPALITY OR COUNTY TO TEMPORARILY LOWER SPEED LIMIT AT VEHICULAR ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION SITE. (2) remains parked in or adjacent to the subdivision only for the period necessary to complete the transportation or work. Sec. PERSONS. Section 332. in narrative) 48-impaired visibility (exp. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. (b) An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park an occupied or unoccupied vehicle: (1) in front of a public or private driveway; (3) within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection; (4) within 30 feet on the approach to a flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway; (5) within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to a fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to a fire station within 75 feet of the entrance, if the entrance is properly marked with a sign; or. 663, Sec. September 1, 2013. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. (3) an authorized vehicle operated by a blood or tissue bank. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. Sec. 5.68(12), eff. (e) This section does not apply to a person: (1) operating a vehicle transporting passengers for hire, excluding third-party transport service providers when transporting clients pursuant to a contract to provide nonemergency Medicaid transportation; or. 3, eff. As drivers, we have a duty to uphold all applicable traffic laws and operate our vehicles safely. 669, Sec. (e) This section preempts all local ordinances, rules, or regulations that are inconsistent with specific provisions of this section adopted by a political subdivision of this state relating to the use of a wireless communication device by the operator of a motor vehicle, except that a political subdivision may by ordinance or rule prohibit the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle throughout the jurisdiction of the political subdivision. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. (e) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both. Sec. September 1, 2011. (d) Notwithstanding Section 542.004, this section applies to a person, a team, or motor vehicles and other equipment engaged in work on a highway surface. Sec. (2) after stopping, may proceed when the intersection can be safely entered without interference or collision with traffic using the paved street or roadway. If required for safety, the operator shall stop at a clearly marked stop line before the grade crossing or, if no stop line exists, not closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail. 1, eff. September 1, 2013. Vehicle Equipment. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1358 (H.B. (b) After stopping as required by Subsection (a), an operator described by Subsection (a) shall proceed without manually shifting gears while crossing the track. Sec. (c) The Texas Transportation Commission, on a state highway under the jurisdiction of the commission, may: (1) determine those portions of the highway where passing or driving to the left of the roadway would be especially hazardous; and. (3) "School bus" includes a multifunction school activity bus. 69, eff. 545.360. ONE-WAY ROADWAYS AND ROTARY TRAFFIC ISLANDS. 1049, Sec. 183), Sec. (B) was in possession of an open container, as defined by Section 49.031, Penal Code. (b) In determining whether a prima facie speed limit on a part of the highway system is reasonable and safe, the commission shall consider the width and condition of the pavement, the usual traffic at the affected area, and other circumstances. Faulty evasive action 3% 2% 2% 2% Failed to drive in single lane 2% 1% 1% 3% For example, if you are driving through a parking lot and a pedestrian suddenly runs out in front of you, you have a responsibility to stop as quickly as possibleeven if the pedestrians actions are technically negligent. 1257), Sec. 165, Sec. (B) any fallback maneuvers necessary to respond to a failure of the system. (a) An operator of a passenger car or light truck may not draw a trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, or another motor vehicle unless safety chains of a type approved by the department are attached in a manner approved by the department from the trailer, semitrailer, house trailer, or drawn motor vehicle to the drawing vehicle. (c) If conduct constituting an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both. 1, eff. An owner as defined by Section 502.001(31) may identify the vehicle to the department as an automated motor vehicle or an automated driving system. Sec. 1059 (H.B. PASSING TO THE RIGHT. in narrative) 47-ill (exp. September 1, 2009. Can I Get a Concussion Without Hitting My Head? (b) A motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with signal lamps, and the required signal shall be given by lighting the lamps, if: (1) the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab, or load of the motor vehicle is more than two feet; or. A municipality by ordinance may restrict, by class of vehicle, through traffic to two or more designated lanes of a highway in the municipality. 545.201. (h) In an order issued under this section, the commission may specify the date the order takes effect, but that date may not be sooner than the eighth day after the date the order is filed with the governor. (b) If the commission adopts a rule under Subsection (a), the commission shall erect and maintain official traffic-control devices on the portions of the limited-access or controlled-access highway to which the rule applies. (e) On request of the governing body of a school or institution of higher education following a public hearing held under this section, the commissioners court, municipal governing body, or Texas Transportation Commission, as applicable, shall conduct an engineering and traffic investigation for the highway or road that is the subject of the request. 265 (H.B. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 4170), Sec. September 1, 2021. (d) Compliance or noncompliance with Subsection (a) is not admissible evidence in a civil trial. s Crash Report Code Sheet Texas Peace Officer 3Refer to the Numbered Lists Numbered Fields on the CR the form t Q ti O Form CR 3CS 111 2010 2 Roadway Part 3 Street Prefix IH Interstate AL Alternate 1 MainlProper Lane US SP Spur 2 ServicelFrontage US Highway SH State Highwa y CR County FM Farm to PR Park Market Road 3 Road 4 PV . Sec. USE OF REST AREA: OFFENSE. 771), Sec. (c) A local authority by ordinance may prohibit the use of a limited-access or controlled-access roadway under the jurisdiction of the authority by a parade, funeral procession, pedestrian, bicycle, electric bicycle, motorcycle equipped with a motor that has an engine piston displacement of 250 cubic centimeters or less, or nonmotorized traffic. 2837), Sec. (e) Department approval under Subsection (d) must: (1) be based on a traffic study performed by the department to evaluate the effect of the proposed restriction; and. 1, eff. (d) In this section, "rest area" means public real property designated as a rest area, comfort station, picnic area, roadside park, or scenic overlook by the Texas Department of Transportation. Sept. 1, 1995. Sec. 467 (H.B. (2) the failure to alter state speed limits will prevent the state from receiving money from the United States for highway purposes. Committees. Section 5102 and its subsequent amendments; (D) a hazardous substance as defined by Section 26.263, Water Code; or. ALL VEHICLES TO STOP AT CERTAIN RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS. 545.359. 265 (H.B. (b-2) A local authority that by ordinance or rule prohibits the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, including a prohibition that contains an exception for the use of a wireless communication device with a hands-free device, throughout the jurisdiction of the local authority is not required to post a sign as required by Subsection (b-1) and shall: (1) post signs that are located at each point at which a state highway, U.S. highway, or interstate highway enters the jurisdiction of the local authority and that state: (A) that an operator is prohibited from using a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle in the jurisdiction of the local authority, and whether use of a wireless communication device with a hands-free device is allowed in the jurisdiction of the local authority; and, (B) that the operator is subject to a fine if the operator uses a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle in the jurisdiction of the local authority; and. 545.105. (e) To the extent of any conflict between Subsection (a) or (b) and a municipal ordinance adopted under Section 545.302(g), the ordinance controls. We answer the phones 24/7. (h) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the second degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a result of the offense, an individual suffered serious bodily injury or death. (c) Subsection (b) does not apply when passing to the right is permitted. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $250. 510), Sec. 1522), Sec. (b) A person commits an offense if the person with criminal negligence: (1) operates a motor vehicle within the area of a crosswalk; and. 1786), Sec. The term includes voice-operated technology and a push-to-talk function. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. TOWING SAFETY CHAINS. June 19, 2009. In Texas, one of the largest states in the U.S. with a staggering population of over 29 million, The Department of Transportation reported that a substantial traffic accident had occurred every 59 seconds in the year 2017.