(a) Required position and method of turning at intersections. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows.
(1) Right turns. Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
(2) Left turns. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle, and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.
(3) Placement of official traffic-control devices. The state highway and public transportation commission and the city may cause official traffic-control devices to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles turning at an intersection, and when such devices are so placed no driver of a vehicle shall turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as directed and required by such devices.
(b) Starting parked vehicle. No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked unless and until such movement can be made with safety.
(c) Turning movements and required signals. Turning movements and required signals shall be as follows.
(1) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in subsection (a) above, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with safety. Except under conditions set out in Tex. Revised Civil Statutes Article 6701d, § 24(a), no person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided.
(2) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
(3) No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal.
(4) The signals provided for in subsection (d) of this section shall be used to indicate an intention to turn, change lanes or start from a parked position and shall not be flashed on one side only on a parked or disabled vehicle, or flashed as a courtesy or “do pass” signal to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear.
(d) Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps. Signals by hand and arm or signal lamps shall be given as follows.
(1) Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamps, except as otherwise provided in subsection (d)(2) of this section.
(2) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, signal lamps when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds 24 inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds 14 feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle, also to any combination of vehicles.
(e) Method of giving hand-and-arm signals.
(1) All signals herein required given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows:
a. Left turn. Hand and arm extended horizontally;
b. Right turn. Hand and arm extended upward; and
c. Stop or decrease speed. Hand and arm extended downward.
(2) The signals herein required shall be given either by means of the hand-and-arm, or by a signal lamp or signal device approved by the department.
(1964 Code, § 26-54)
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see Tex. Transportation Code §§ 545.101 through 545.107