June 17, 2011. September 1, 2011. September 1, 2021. Texas Transportation Code for Speeding 545.351. 545.359. We will always provide free access to the current law. Sept. 1, 1995. (e) In a prosecution under this section, proof that at the time of the offense a train or other on-track equipment was in hazardous proximity to the crossing and that the train or other equipment was plainly visible to the operator is prima facie evidence that it was not safe for the operator to proceed. The Houston Police Department recently released body cam footage of an officer driving onto the sidewalk during a vehicle pursuit and fatally striking an innocent 62-year-old man. Permits for Oversize and Overweight Vehicles: Transportation Code Chapter 623. 68, eff. 1, eff. (B) the operator is subject to a fine if the operator uses a wireless communication device in the school crossing zone. (e-1) Subsection (c) does not apply to an operator of a school bus or passenger bus using a wireless communication device: (1) in the performance of the operator's duties as a bus driver; and. (a) An operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle: (1) on the roadway side of a vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street; (5) between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of a place on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the governing body of a municipality designates a different length by signs or markings; (6) alongside or opposite a street excavation or obstruction if stopping, standing, or parking the vehicle would obstruct traffic; (7) on a bridge or other elevated structure on a highway or in a highway tunnel; (9) where an official sign prohibits stopping. Posted on Aug 16, 2016. (a) An operator passing to the right of a streetcar stopped or about to stop to receive or discharge a passenger shall: (1) stop the vehicle at least five feet to the rear of the nearest running board or door of the streetcar; and. September 1, 2019. 1, eff. 1144 (H.B. (a) The Texas Transportation Commission may designate a highway or separate roadway under the jurisdiction of the commission for one-way traffic and shall erect appropriate signs giving notice of the designation. (b) The department may not release the information to any person or to another state governmental entity. (b) An operator commits an offense if the operator uses a portable wireless communication device to read, write, or send an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped. Sec. (d) Compliance or noncompliance with Subsection (a) is not admissible evidence in a civil trial. (2) supersedes any other established speed limit that would permit a person to operate a motor vehicle at a higher rate of speed. (2) post and maintain signs before each end of the structure stating the maximum speed. (b) An officer acting under Subsection (a) may require that the vehicle be taken to: (1) the nearest garage or other place of safety; (2) a garage designated or maintained by the governmental agency that employs the officer; or. 1438, Sec. (d) If a local authority adopts an ordinance under Subsection (c), the authority shall erect and maintain official traffic-control devices on the portions of the limited-access or controlled-access roadway to which the ordinance applies. 1257 (H.B. (g) If the governor's proclamation states that the facts necessary to support the issuance of the commission's order exist, the order takes effect according to Subsection (h). 2/11/2015 1.1 R. Holt 3.3.19 Edit Tips 3/26/2015 1.2 R. Holt 3.2.11.9, 3.2.11.11, Texas Department of Transportation . (repealed by RA 10883) . If a vehicle driving ahead of you brakes unexpectedly or if you see a driver skidding across multiple lanes of traffic, you have a duty to stop and try your best to prevent a collision. (b) On a roadway that is designated and on which signs are erected for one-way traffic, an operator shall drive only in the direction indicated. (a) A person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle on a highway or street when a child younger than 18 years of age is occupying a boat or personal watercraft being drawn by the motor vehicle. of a freeway in a metropolitan area and each vehicle involved can be normally and A person may not operate a motorcycle described by Section 521.001(a)(6-a)(C)(vii) on a public highway for which the posted speed limit is more than 45 miles per hour, except that the operator may cross an intersection with a public highway that has a posted speed limit of more than 45 miles per hour. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. | https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/transportation-code/transp-sect-550-022/. September 1, 2017. (h) Notwithstanding Section 545.352(b), the commission may establish a speed limit of 75 miles per hour on a part of the highway system if the commission determines that 75 miles per hour is a reasonable and safe speed for that part of the highway system. 1251, Sec. DUTY ON STRIKING UNATTENDED VEHICLE. 545.411. (b) An operator of a school bus, while operating the bus, shall prohibit a passenger from: (B) in any location on the bus that is not designed as a seat. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 2, eff. (2) causes bodily injury to a pedestrian or a person operating a bicycle, motor-assisted scooter, electronic personal assistive mobility device, neighborhood electric vehicle, or golf cart. Sept. 1, 1997. 7, eff. 545.062. (c) A motor vehicle may not draw more than three motor vehicles attached to it by the triple saddle-mount method. Sept. 1, 1995. Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Texas Transportation Code - TRANSP 550.022. (a) In this section: (1) "Department" means the Texas Department of Transportation. Sec. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. (d) The court may order that the driver's license of a person convicted of a second or subsequent offense under this section be suspended for not longer than six months beginning on the date of conviction. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. Sept. 1, 2003. (2) both inside and outside the limits of a municipality, including a home-rule municipality, for a limited-access or controlled-access highway. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 3171), Sec. (3) a state jail felony if the person has been previously convicted under Subdivision (2). 165, Sec. (b) A person commits an offense if the person: (1) operates a passenger vehicle that is equipped with safety belts; and. (2) away from a curb a distance that is unlawful under Section 545.303. (d) For the purposes of this section, employment includes work on a family farm by a member of the family that owns or operates the farm. 2048), Sec. (g) A temporary speed limit established under this section is effective when a designated official places temporary speed limit signs and conceals other signs that would permit a person to operate a motor vehicle at a higher rate of speed as required under Subsection (f). 2, eff. (b) A person commits an offense if the person with criminal negligence: (1) operates a motor vehicle within the area of a crosswalk; and. Sept. 1, 1997. A designated official who intends to temporarily lower a prima facie speed limit at the site of an investigation using vehicular accident reconstruction shall, at least 48 hours before temporary speed limit signs are posted for the vehicular accident reconstruction site, provide to the Texas Department of Transportation notice that includes: (1) the date and time of the accident reconstruction; (2) the location of the accident reconstruction site; (4) the general size of the area affected by the site; and. 1325, Sec. 4, eff. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. PERSON RIDING IN TRAILER OR SEMITRAILER DRAWN BY TRUCK, ROAD TRACTOR, OR TRUCK TRACTOR. Answer:running and not stopping at traffic lights and stop signsExplanation:Stopping the vehicle at traffic lights and stop signs are most important to avid any saveckart7955 saveckart7955 05/15/2019 165, Sec. (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. 545.155. Sept. 1, 1995. DRIVING ON ROADWAY LANED FOR TRAFFIC. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. BUSES TO STOP AT ALL RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS. 1899), Sec. Sec. 545.202. (2) any other equipment or structure with: (A) a normal operating speed of 10 miles per hour or less; or. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. CROSSING SIDEWALK OR HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL. AUTHORITY OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ALTER SPEED LIMITS. (c) An order 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. 1, eff. (d) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor if the person, during the commission of the offense, recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury. MAXIMUM SPEED REQUIREMENT. (h) The Texas Department of Transportation shall post a sign at each point at which an interstate highway or United States highway enters this state that informs an operator that: (1) the use of a portable wireless communication device for electronic messaging while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited in this state; and. 510), Sec. On top of that, a traffic related fatality had occurred every 2 hours and 21 minutes. 2005 Texas Transportation Code CHAPTER 541. 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. September 1, 2013. Action Date Notice; Texas Admin Code Ch. 1, eff. 265 (H.B. unsafe speeding, and faulty evasive action. (b) An operator may not pass to the right by leaving the main traveled portion of a roadway except as provided by Section 545.058. 545.103. (e) In this section, "safety chains" means flexible tension members connected from the front of a drawn vehicle to the rear of the drawing vehicle to maintain connection between the vehicles if the primary connecting system fails. (g) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a result of the offense, an individual suffered bodily injury. 165, Sec. 2257), Sec. (c) The department shall erect and maintain official traffic control devices necessary to implement and enforce a lane restriction imposed under this section. 545.057. September 1, 2019. September 1, 2021. 545.3561. in narrative) 49-improper start from parked position 50-load not secured 51-opened door into traffic lane 52-oversize vehicle or load 2981), Sec. 347), Sec. According to the TDOT, the following were the leading causes of Texas traffic accidents in 2019: Failed to control speed: 34,244; Driver inattention: 19,536; Failed to drive in a single lane: 13,006; 1253 (H.B. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. RESTRICTION ON USE OF HIGHWAY. 545.307. An offense under Subsection (b) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100 or more than $200. About Transportation. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. September 1, 2009. 0. 30.107(d), eff. (d) An operator of self-propelled machinery designed or adapted for applying plant food materials or agricultural chemicals and not designed or adapted for the sole purpose of transporting the materials or chemicals may not drive at a speed of more than 30 miles per hour unless the machinery is registered under Chapter 502. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 545.4121. 1, eff. OPENING VEHICLE DOORS. 7. 716 (H.B. DRIVING PAST VEHICLE MOVING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION. (b) This section does not exempt the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway. (B) was in possession of an open container, as defined by Section 49.031, Penal Code. Car Accident Theory of Negligence: Failure to Take Evasive Action Under Texas law, when you sue someone who caused you to sustain injuries in a car accident, you must articulate a theory of liability. Section 332. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1, eff. (a) This section applies to an offense committed under Section 545.412. (2) the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency. 69, eff. Sec. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 12.11, eff. 545.421. June 14, 2013. 882 (H.B. It is a defense to prosecution under this subsection that the operator was operating the motorcycle or moped in an emergency or for a law enforcement purpose. 545.451. RIDING IN OPEN BEDS; OFFENSE. 2.07, eff. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. On top of that, a traffic related fatality had occurred every 2 hours and 21 minutes. (3) a Class B misdemeanor if the violation results in bodily injury. OPERATION OF VEHICLE BY PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE. First, they encourage drivers to always be on the lookout for possible accidents but also escape routes. There was one at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York in January, a second in Austin, Texas, in February, and a third off the coast of Hawaii in December. 1, eff. 165, Sec. 9, eff. (3)remain at the scene of the accident until the operator complies with the requirements A municipality may not modify the rule established by Section 545.351(a) or establish a speed limit of more than 75 miles per hour. (c) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor. (b) This section applies only to the unincorporated area of a county with a population of more than 3.3 million. At the same time, a large commercial vehicle is traveling down the road and the truck driver sees the accident ahead of him. Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. Renumbered from Transportation Code, Section 545.426 by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1, eff. 27.001(108), eff. June 17, 2011. 771), Sec. (B) where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway. 2-animal on road-wild 41-faulty evasive action 72-cell/mobile phone use 3-backed without safety 42-fire in vehicle 73-road rage 4-changed lane when unsafe 43-fleeing or evading police 74-other factor (write on line) 5-13 see vehicle defects 44-followed too closely 14-disabled in traffic lane 45-had been drinking 55), Sec. (6) a vehicle operated by or pursuant to a contract with a toll project entity, as defined by Section 372.001, using visual signals that comply with the standards and specifications adopted under Section 547.105. 2, eff. . Instead of stopping his vehicle and avoiding the accident, the second driver continues to drive through the intersection because he believes that he has the right of way. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $250. September 1, 2015. Can I Get a Concussion Without Hitting My Head? September 1, 2019. 3286), Sec. 3, eff. (c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution of an offense under this section that the operator used a portable wireless communication device: (1) in conjunction with a hands-free device, as defined by Section 545.425; (2) to navigate using a global positioning system or navigation system; (3) to report illegal activity, summon emergency help, or enter information into a software application that provides information relating to traffic and road conditions to users of the application; (4) to read an electronic message that the person reasonably believed concerned an emergency; (5) that was permanently or temporarily affixed to the vehicle to relay information in the course of the operator's occupational duties between the operator and: (B) a digital network or software application service; or. Sec. Sec. Reckless Driving; Offense on Westlaw FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. (3) to stop or decrease speed, extend hand and arm downward. September 1, 2011. (b) An operator of a vehicle on a roadway moving more slowly than the normal speed of other vehicles at the time and place under the existing conditions shall drive in the right-hand lane available for vehicles, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, unless the operator is: (2) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. 5, eff. (2) observes the violation while on a moving engine. 8.01. Contact us. (a) An operator, unless on official business, may not follow closer than 500 feet a fire apparatus responding to a fire alarm or drive into or park the vehicle in the block where the fire apparatus has stopped to answer a fire alarm. SPEED LIMIT SIGNS AFTER CONSTRUCTION OR MAINTENANCE WORK ZONE. (e) A peace officer may not stop a vehicle or detain the operator of a vehicle for the sole purpose of determining whether the operator of the vehicle has violated this section. (c) To move a vehicle or equipment on or across a track at a railroad grade crossing, the operator: (1) shall stop the vehicle or equipment not closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad; (3) may not proceed until it is safe to cross the track.