TRAFFIC NOTES
541.201
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE
Fire dept or Police Vehicle
public or private ambulance
municipal dept or public service corp.
emergency veh
private veh of a
volunteer firefighter or certified emergency - responding to emergency
veh of blood bank or tissue bank - making
emergency delivery
BICYCLE
propelled by human power
tandem wheels - 1 of which is at least 14
inches diameter
BUS
Veh to transport persons and designed to
accommodate more than 10 passengers
including driver. OR
motor veh other
than a taxi - designed and used to transport people for compensation
SCHOOL
ACTIVITY BUS accommodate
more than 15 passengers including driver
* owned, operated, or rented by school district
* used on school activity trips
HOUSE
TRAILER trailer
or semi trailer (other than a recreational veh)
that:
* is transportable on hwy in 2 or more sections
* less than 40 ft in length
* built on a permanent chassis
* designed to be used as a dwelling or for commercial purposes
* includes plumbing, heat, AC, electrical
IMPLEMENT
OF HUSBANDRY
LIGHT
TRUCK
pickup, panel delivery truck, or carryall truck
Manufactures rated carrying cap. 2000 lbs or less
(1 ton)
MOPED
can’t attain a speed in 1 mile - more than 30 mph AND
* no more than 2-brake HP
* 50 CC or less & not require shifting of gears
MOTORCYCLE
motor veh other than a tractor - equipped
with a riders saddle and designed
to have no more than 3 wheels on ground
MOTOR-DRIVEN
CYCLE
250 CC or less
MOTOR
VEHICLE means a self
propelled vehicle or a veh propelled by
electric power
from overhead trolley wires
PASSENGER
CAR motor veh
other than a motorcycle - used to transport persons -
designed to accommodate 10 or fewer
passengers including driver
ROAD
TRACTOR - pull
(house trailer movers)
TRUCK
TRACTOR - pull
and carry partial load (semi
trailer)
TRUCK
- carry - transport property on itself
POLE
TRAILER
SEMI-TRAILER
means a veh with or w/o motive power, other
than a pole trailer
TRAILER
veh, other than a pole trailer, with or w/o
motive power
* to be drawn by a motor veh
& to transport persons or property
* constructed so that no part of the veh
weight and load rests on the motor veh
TOW
ABLE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (snow
birds)
non motorized veh
that:
* is designed to be towable
* for temporary habitation
*permanently built on a single chassis
* may contain 1 or more restrooms
541.001
OPERATOR
persons who drive or has physical control of a veh
OWNER
PEDESTRIAN
SCHOOL
CROSSING GUARD - responsible
person at least 18 ys old -
direct
traffic in a school crossing zone
.002
DEPARTMENT
LOCAL AUTHORITY
POLICE OFFICER STATE
.101
METROPOLITAN AREA
Population of at least 100,000
AND
adjacent municipalities and unincorporated
urban districts
BUSINESS
DISTRICT
with in 600 foot segment along the hwy and
bldgs occupy at least 300 ft of frontage
(strictly businesses)
along 1/4 mile of hwy - intervals
at less than 100 ft
(businesses &or
residences)
RESIDENCE
DISTRICT
at least 300 ft of the hwy frontage is primarily improved
(businesses & residences OR residences)
542.301
INCHOATE OFFENSE
attempt to commit or conspires to commit an act
falsely, fraudulently, or wilfully
permits another to violate
542.401
GENERAL PENALTY
is a misdemeanor - penalty is not provided... shall be punished by a
fine of not less than $1 or more than $200
541.302
DEFINITIONS
541.304
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICE
sign, signal, marking, or device that is:
used to regulate, warn, or guide traffic
(flashing red light)
TRAFFIC-CONTROL
SIGNAL
manual, electric, or mechanical device that alternately directs
traffic to stop and to proceed
RIGHT
OF WAY
right of one veh or pedestrian
to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle
or pedestrian that is approaching from a direction, at a stopped, and w/in a
proximity that could cause a collision unless one grants precedence to the
other DUTY TO
YIELD
DISPOSE
AND DUMP
discharge, deposit, inject, spill, leak, or place litter on or into
land or water
LITTER
decayable waste
(not including sewage, body wastes, or industrial by-products)
nondecayable solid wastes - EXCEPT ASHES
Health
code 365.012 Illegal
dumping
disposes or allows or permits the disposal
of litter at place that is NOT an approved solid waste
site OR w/in 300 ft of HWY, on a right-of-way, public or private
property, inland or coastal water
CLASS C
5 lbs or less or
has a volume of 5 gallons or less
CLASS B
more than 5 lbs or less than 500
has a volume of more than 5 gallons or less
than 500 gallons
CLASS A
more than 500 lbs or less than 1,000 lbs
OR
COMMERCIAL
more than 5 lbs but less than 200 lbs
volume of more than 5 gallons but less than
200 cubic ft
STATE JAIL
OFFICIAL
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE means sign, signal marking, or device that is
used to regulate, warn, or guide traffic
(flashing red )
TRAFFIC
CONTROL SIGNAL means a manual, electric, or mechanical device that alternately
(red, yellow, green traffic lights) directs traffic to stop and to proceed
GROSS
VEHICLE WEIGHT means
the weight of a vehicle and the weight of its load
PARK
OR PARKING means to stand an occupied or unoccupied veh,
or other than temporarily while loading or unloading merchandise or
passengers
STAND
OR STANDING means to halt an occupied or unoccupied veh,
other than temporarily while receiving or discharging passengers
STOP
OR STOPPING means
* when required, to completely cease
movement; and
* when prohibited, to halt, including
momentarily halting, an occupied or unoccupied veh,
unless necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with the
directions of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal
541.302
FREEWAY
divided, controlled-access (limited access) hwy fro through traffic
LIMITED
ACCESS OR CONTROLLED ACCESS HWY means a hwy or roadway to which:
*
persons, including owners or occupants of abutting real property, have no
right of access; and
*
access by persons to enter or exit the hwy is restricted except
at a place and in a manner determined by the authority that has jurisdiction
HIGHWAY
OR STREET means the width between the boundary lines of publicly maintained
way any part of which is open to the public for veh
travel (fence line to fence line)
IMPROVED
SHOULDER means a paved shoulder
RIGHT
OF WAY (duty to yield) right of 1 veh or
pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another veh
or pedestrian that is approaching from a direction, at a speed, and within
proximity that could cz a collision unless one
grants precedence to the other
DRIVERS
LICENSE 521.021
May
not operate a M Veh on a highway unless the person
holds a DL
SCHOOL
BUS DRIVERS
18
ys or older with appropriate DL
Meet
mental and physical capability requirements
Meet
acceptable min standards of driving record
School
bus safety ed class (valid
for 3 yrs)
Criminal
history check
541.025
LICENSE TO BE CARRIED AND EXHIBITED ON DEMAND
SHALL
* have in possession while operating a M Veh
* display on demand
*
* Misdemeanor NOT TO EXCEED $200
* 2nd conviction - WITH IN 1 YR of 1st conv.
Misdemeanor
fine $25-$200
* 3rd conviction
- within 1 yr of 2nd conv.
Misdemeanor fine
$25-$500
& Confinement in jail for not less than 72 hr -6 mo
OR both fine and confinement
PERSONS
EXEMPT FROM LICENSE REQ
*
IN military while operating official M Veh
*
Person operating road machine, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry on hwy
*
Non resident active duty (military)
*
Spouse or dep child of non resident active duty
person
New
resident has 30 days to get TX License
*
be 16 ys or older AND
*
possesses a DL by a different state
CLASS
A
Gross veh 26,001 or more
OR
Combination veh with gross comb wt 26,001,
IF gross wt of towed veh is more than 10,000 lbs
CLASS
B
* Gross veh 26,001 or more
* Combination veh with gross comb wt
26,001, IF gross wt of towed veh is 10,000 or less
* BUS W/ 24 or more
CLASS
C
* Gross veh
26,000 or less
* Combination veh with gross comb wt 26,001
or less, towing a farm trailer
not more than 20,000
* BUS 16-23
passengers
CLASS
M
* Operate a motorcycle or moped
521.123
LICENSE * person under 21
yrs
* Clearly marked as a PROVISIONAL LICENSE for person under 18 yrs
and
* for ea issued to a person under 21
* indicate “UNDER 21” on the face
521.201
LICENSE INELIGIBLE
* UNDER 15 yrs
* 15-18 unless Drivers Ed
* Addicted
to alcohol, controlled substance
* DL revoked, cancelled, or under suspension
* Determined to be incapacitated
Restrictions
on CLASS A & B
* If under
17 yrs
* under 18 yrs if they haven’t completed
Drivers Ed
CLASS
C
* 16-18 yrs if passed Drivers Ed
* obtained a HS Diploma or GED
* enrolled in school for at least 45 days and enrolled on date of
application
INSTRUCTION
PERMIT 521.222
Including Class A or B DL Instruction Permit
* 15 yrs - 18 yrs
* Completed and passed classroom phase of Drivers Ed
HARDSHIP
15 yrs or older
unusual economic hardship
illness of family member
enrolled in voc ed program
* mst have passed a drivers ed course
* passed exam
* License valid for 60 days and renewed for additional 60 day periods
* May be suspended if convicted of a moving violation
RESTRICTED
CLASS M LICENSE
Not more than 250 CC
* 15 - under 18 yrs
* completed MC operator training course
MOPED
LICENSE
Written (no driving test)
Under 2 HP
15 yrs or older
No faster than 30 MPH
No gears
TRAFFIC
SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND MARKINGS
544.004
COMPLIANCE W/
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE
Shall comply unless:
* otherwise directed by a police officer OR
* operating an authorized emergency veh
*Control
Device must be in proper position and sufficiently legible to an
ordinarily observant person
YELLOW
SIGNAL warning that green is being terminated or red is to be given
FLASHING
YELLOW may proceed through an intersection or past the signal only with
caution
Required
stop shall be made a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop
shall be made. In the absence of
such a sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal
In
absence of a stop line, shall stop b4 entering the crosswalk on the near side
of the intersection. No
crosswalk...shall stop at the place nearest the intersecting roadway where the
operator has a view of approaching traffic
SHALL
DRIVE ON RIGHT SIDE unless
* passing another veh
* obstruction necessitates moving to left of
the center line AND operator yields right of
way
* roadway is divided into 3 marked lanes
* roadway is restricted to one-way traffic
* passing a veh
* turning left
545.053...PASSING
TO THE LEFT
*
return to lane before coming w/in 200 ft of on
coming traffic
DRIVING
LEFT OF CENTER...LIMITATIONS
MAY
* W/IN 100 ft of
intersection or railroad crossing
* approaching w/in 100 ft of bridge, viaduct, or tunnel
* awaiting access to a ferry
545.058
DRIVING ON
IMPROVED SHOULDER
May drive on improved shoulder if operating is necessary and done
safely, but only:
* to stop, stand, or park
* accelerate b4 entering traffic
* decelerate
be making a right turn
* pass another veh that is slowing or
stopped on main traveled hwy, disabled, or preparing to make a left turn
* allowing another veh traveling faster to
pass
* as permitted or directed by traffic
control device (police officer)
* to avoid a collision
545.066
PASSING A
SCHOOL BUS
Stopped school
bus with visual signal
* May not proceed until:
* School bus resumes motion
* Signaled by bus driver to proceed OR
* Visual signal is no longer activated
* fine not less than $200 or more than
$1,000
545.104
SIGNALING
TURNS
Shall indicate an intention to
* turn (100 ft prior to turn)
* change lanes * start
from a parked position
RIGHT-OF-WAY
545.151
VEH
APPROACHING OR ENTERING INTERSECTION
*shall stop, yield, and grant immediate use in obedience to traffic
control devices
* after stopping may proceed when
intersection can be safely entered without interference or collision with
traffic using a different street or roadway
545.156
VEH
APPROACHED BY AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEH
Shall
* Yield the right-of-way
* Drive parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge
(clear of intersection)
* Stop and remain standing until the authorized emergency veh
has passed
This does not exempt the operator of the emergency veh
from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the
hwy
FIRE
TRUCKS - Lights and siren
POLICE
- Siren
SPECIAL
STOPS AND SPEED RESTRICTIONS
RAILROAD
CROSSINGS
Stop not closer than 15 ft or farther than 50 ft
Approaching
train emits an audible signal when approaching within approximately 1,500 ft
of the hwy crossing
545.254
SCHOOL BUSES -
RAILROAD CROSSINGS
Shall * stop not closer than 15 ft or farther than 50 ft from nearest
rail
* listen and look in both
directions
* and
not proceed until safe to do so
Not required to stop at:
abandoned RR Crossings that is marked as OUT OF SERVICE
industrial or spur line RR Crossings that is
marked w/ EXEMPT
STOPPING,
STANDING, AND PARKING
545.302
PROHIBITED IN
CERTAIN PLACES
May not stop, stand, or park a veh:
* double park
* on a sidewalk
* in an intersection
* on a crosswalk
* between a safety zone and adjacent curb or
within 30 ft (ea end of zone)
* alongside or opposite street construction
if it will block traffic
* on a bridge, elevated structure, in a
tunnel
* on a RR Track
* where an Official Sign Prohibits it
MAY NOT, EXCEPT MOMENTARILY TO PICK UP OR DISCHARGE A PASSENGER...
STAND OR PARK
* blocking public or private driveway
* w/in 15 ft of fire hydrant
* w/in 30 ft on a approach to a flashing
signal, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic-control signal
* where an official sign prohibits it
MAY NOT, EXCEPT TEMPORARILY TO LOAD OR UNLOAD MERCHANDISE OR
PASSENGERS...
* W/IN 50 ft of the nearest rail of a RR Crossing
OR
* Where
a sign prohibits it
545.305
REMOVAL OF
UNLAWFULLY STOPPED VEH
SPEED
RESTRICTIONS
545.351
MAX
SPEED REQUIREMENT
MAY NOT drive at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under
the circumstances existing
* Unsafe speed - greater than a reasonable and prudent
for the conditions and potential hazards
* Failure to control speed - shall control the speed of veh
as necessary to avoid colliding w/ another person or veh
that is on or entering the hwy in compliance w/ law
****
PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS ****
30 mph URBAN
STREETS
15 mph ALLEY
70 mph day...
FM ROADS
65 mph night...FM ROADS
60 mph day... COUNTY
ROADS
55 mph night... COUNTY ROADS
60 mph
60 mph TRUCK
DAY
55 mph TRUCK
NIGHT
15 mph BEACH
545.365
SPEED LIMIT EXCEPTION FOR EMERGENCIES
Speed limits do not apply to:
* Authorized emergency veh responding to a
call
* Police
* physician or ambulance responding to an
emergency
RECKLESS
DRIVING...OFFENSE
Drives a veh
in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of
persons or property
Misdemeanor
* Fine not to exceed $200
* confinement in jail for not more than 30
days
* OR Both
MOVING
A PARKED VEH
May not begin movement of a stopped, standing, or parked veh
unless the movement can be made safely
545.403
MAY DRIVE
THROUGH OR IN A SAFETY ZONE
545.404
UNATTENDED M.
VEH
MAY
NOT leave the veh unattended w/o
* stopping the engine
* locking the ignition
* removing the key from the ignition
* setting the parking brake
AND
* if standing on a grade...turning the front
wheels to the curb or side of hwy
545.412
CHILD
PASSENGER SAFETY SEAT
Must meet both req before they do not have
to be in a child seat...under 5 yrs of age AND at least 36” tall
*fine of not less than $100 or more than $200
545.413
SAFETY
BELTS
545.414
RIDING
IN OPEN BEDS
Riding in open bed or open flat bed
* younger than 18 yrs
Fine $25-$50
547.301
DUTY TO
DISPLAY LIGHTS
Shall
display
* At NIGHTTIME
* When light is INSUFFICIENT...person or veh
not discernible at a distance of 1,000’
* Not MORE THAN 4 lighted at one time
* Intensity not brighter than 300 Candlepower
REAR
REFLECTORS...RED
REAR
SIGNALS...RED, AMBER, or YELLOW
HEAD
LAMPS... at
least 2
Height - 24-54 inches
TAIL
LAMPS... at
least 2 (1 IF prior to
1960)
Height - 15 - 72 inches
Visible - 1,000 feet
Illuminated
license plate... White light
Visible - 50 feet
STOP
LAMS...
at least 2 (1
if prior to 1960)
RED or AMBER
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