For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE or ABANDONED VEHICLE. A motor vehicle that is inoperable and more than eight years old and left unattended on public property for more than 48 hours, or a motor vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than 48 hours, or a motor vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than 48 hours.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE. Vehicles of the Fire Department (fire patrol), police vehicles, public and private ambulances for which permits have been issued by the State Board of Health, emergency vehicles of municipal departments or public service corporations as are designated or authorized by the governing body of an incorporated city, and private vehicles operated by volunteer firefighters or certified emergency medical services volunteers while answering a fire alarm or responding to a medical emergency, and vehicles operated by blood banks or tissue banks, accredited or approved under the laws of this state or the United States, while making emergency deliveries of blood, drugs or medicines or organs.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.201
BUS LANE. That portion of roadway devoted primarily to the use by buses of the public bus transportation system operating in the Fort Worth area, such system being commonly known as “CITRAN.”
COMMERCIAL DELIVERY ROUTE. Any street or highway so designated by the City Council for the use by any commercial motor vehicle, truck-tractor, trailer, semi-trailer, or any combination thereof.
COMMERCIAL LOADING ZONE. A space or section of the curb set aside for the purpose of loading and unloading of persons or the purpose of loading, unloading, delivery or pick up of supplies or merchandise.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE.
(1) A motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, designed or used primarily to transport property. The term includes a passenger car reconstructed and used primarily for delivery purposes; and
(2) A motor vehicle displaying the registrant’s name and address permanently affixed in characters at least three inches high on both sides of the vehicle, with such display being in a color contrasting with that of the vehicle and placed approximately midway vertically on doors or side panels.
CROSSWALK.
(1) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs from the edges of the traversable roadway; and
(2) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing, by lines or other markings.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.302(3)
FREEWAY. A divided, controlled access highway for through traffic.
Statutory reference:
“Limited-access or controlled-access highway,” see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.302(8)
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.302(3)
FRONTAGE ROAD. A street located next to a freeway and auxiliary thereto, constructed so as to provide vehicular access to and from the freeway. The following terms have the same definition as FRONTAGE ROAD and any one of these terms may be substituted for the term FRONTAGE ROAD: “access road,” “access street,” “frontage street,” “service road” and “service street.”
HIGHWAY. The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.302(5)
INTERSECTION.
(1) The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two or more highways which join one another at any angle, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any angle may come in conflict;
(2) Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. In the event such intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection; and
(3) The junction of any alley with a street or highway shall not constitute an intersection.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.303
JUNKED VEHICLE. Either:
(1) A vehicle that is self-propelled and does not have lawfully attached to it:
(a) An unexpired license plate; or
(b) A valid motor vehicle inspection certificate; and
(c) Is inoperable and has remained inoperable for more than 72 consecutive hours if the vehicle is on public property, or for more than 20 consecutive days if the vehicle is on private property.
(2) A vehicle that is self-propelled and is wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled, and has remained wrecked, dismantled or partially dismantled for more than 72 consecutive hours if the vehicle is on public property, or for more than 20 consecutive days if the vehicle is on private property.
(3) The term
JUNKED VEHICLE shall include any part of a junked vehicle or tarps or covers thereon, that is visible at any time of the year from any private lot, tract or parcel of land, occupied or unoccupied, improved or unimproved, other than the lot, tract or parcel of land on which the vehicle, vehicle part, tarp or cover is located or from any public place or public-right-of-way.
LARGE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.
(1) A recreational vehicle which exceeds 26 feet in length, but is less than 40 feet in total length;
(2) A boat trailer or other trailer which exceeds 26 feet in length, but is less than 40 feet in total length; or
(3) A converted or partially converted bus which exceeds 26 feet in length, but is less than 40 feet in total length.
MOBILE HOME. A living quarters equipped and used for sleeping and eating which may be moved from one location to another over a public street by being pulled behind a motor vehicle.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.201(11)
MOTORBUS. Every vehicle which is used in transporting persons upon the public streets of the city for compensation or hire and has a passenger carrying capacity of more than 16 persons except those operated by muscular power or exclusively on stationary rails or tracks or owned by a public or governmental agency and operated for the transportation of children to and from school functions or privately owned and operated for the transportation of children to and from school functions or those operated for the transportation of persons to and from church functions.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.201(3), (15), (16)
MOTORCYCLE. Every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to propel itself with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.201(9)
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICE. Any sign, signal (including a traffic-control signal), marking or device not inconsistent with state statute or this chapter, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.304
OVERSIZE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE.
(1) Any vehicle designed for the transport of more than 15 passengers, inclusive of the driver;
(2) Trailers which are more than 20 feet in length from end to end, more than seven feet in width at their widest point, or more than seven feet in height at their highest point; or
(3) Any motor vehicle with a gross weight, registered weight or gross weight rating, as those terms are defined in state law, of more than 15,000 pounds, including but not limited to the following:
(a) Dump truck;
(b) Truck-tractor;
(c) Concrete-mixing truck;
(d) Stake-bed truck;
(e) Flat-bed tow truck; or
(f) Panel truck.
OVERSIZE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE.
(1) A recreational vehicle which is 40 feet or greater in total length;
(2) A boat trailer or other trailer which is 40 feet or greater in total length; or
(3) A converted or partially converted bus which is 40 feet or greater in total length.
PARK or PARKING. The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, upon a roadway, otherwise than temporarily in obedience to an official traffic-control device or for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.401(6)
PARKING METER. A device that registers the amount of time purchased for the parking of a motor vehicle in a parking zone.
PASSENGER LOADING ZONE. A space or section of the curb set aside for the exclusive use of loading and unloading of persons.
PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.001(3)
PERMIT. A current and valid document issued by or through the department of transportation and public works that allows on-street parking at metered or un-metered locations for a specific period of time. A PERMIT may also be a handicapped tag issued by a county or state administration.
POLE TRAILER. Every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach, or pole, or by being boomed, or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes or structural members capable, generally, of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.201(13)
POLICE OFFICER. Every officer of the municipal police department or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, seeTex. Transportation Code § 541.002(4)
PRIMA FACIE. The term PRIMA FACIE is to be defined according to the law of the state, and, to the extent that there is no conflict with state law, the following meaning shall apply:
Such as will suffice to constitute proof of a fact unless and until it is overcome, rebutted or contradicted by other evidence; no particular weight is assigned to prima facie evidence by law except that the factfinder may find a verdict based upon it; as in all criminal cases, the accused starts out with a presumption of innocence that must be overcome by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.
PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY. Every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner but not by other persons.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.302(9)
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. A motor vehicle primarily designed as a temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel use. The term includes a travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper and motor home.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.401(8)
ROADWAY. That portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways the term ROADWAY as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately, but not to all such roadways collectively.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.302(11)
SEMI-TRAILER. Every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its own load rests upon or is carried by another motor vehicle.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.201(17)
SIDEWALK. That portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.302(16)
STAND or STANDING. The halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.401(9)
STOP or STOPPING. When prohibited, means any halting, even momentarily, of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.401(10)
STREET. The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.302(5)
TEXAS LITTER ABATEMENT ACT. Tex. Health and Safety Code Ch. 365.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for purposes of travel.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.301
TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL. Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.304(3)
TRAILER. Every vehicle with or without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.201(20)
TRUCK ROUTE. Any street or highway so designated by the City Council for use by any commercial motor vehicle, truck-tractor, trailer, semi-trailer or any combination thereof.
TRUCK-TRACTOR. Every motor vehicle designed or used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.201(22)
VEHICLE. Every mechanical device, in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, including motor vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, truck tractors, trailers and semi-trailers, severally, as hereinafter defined, but excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. The term includes self-propelled off-road vehicles designed and intended to be operated in places other than on public streets, including, but not limited to, race cars, dirt track vehicles, all-terrain vehicles and golf carts.
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code § 541.201(23)