Sec. 10.201Β Traffic Control Devices to be Consistent with State Law
All traffic control devices including signs, signals and markings (pavement and/or curb) installed or used for the purpose of directing and controlling traffic within the City of Oak Leaf shall conform with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, Volumes I and II (hereafter called the manual). Article 6701d, Vernon’s Civil Statutes state that all signs, signals and markings erected or used by the city shall be uniform and be located so far as practicable according to the directions shown in the manual throughout the city. All existing traffic control devices and those erected in the future by the city being consistent with the manual, state law and this section shall be official traffic control devices.
Sec. 10.202Β Driver Shall Obey Traffic Control Device
The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device, sign, signal or marking applicable thereto placed in accordance with this traffic ordinance of the city or the laws of the State of Texas, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, subject to the exemptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle permitted by this section. All persons, pedestrians, propelling any push cart or riding a bicycle or animal, or driving any animal-drawn vehicle shall obey the directions of any such traffic control device.
Sec. 10.203Β Unauthorized signs and Signals
(a) Β No persons shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any highway, street or alley any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official control device or any railroad sign or signal.
(b) Β No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway, street or alley any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising.
(c) Β This section shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways, streets or alleys of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.
(d) Β Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and the sheriff, compliance officer or city official is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be moved without notice.
Sec. 10.204Β Defacement of Traffic Devices
No person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic control device, sign or signal or any inscription, shield or insignia thereon, or any part thereof.
Sec. 10.205Β Installation of Traffic Devices
(a) Β The mayor or any person designated by him or her of the City of Oak Leaf is hereby designated as the person who shall place and maintain traffic control signs, signals and devices when and as required for proper traffic control in the City of Oak Leaf as he or she may deem necessary to regulate the traffic under any other traffic ordinance of the city of under state law.
(b) Β All traffic signs of every kind, character and description erected by the mayor shall have the force and effect of any ordinance within themselves.
Sec. 10.206Β Existing Traffic Control Signs, Signals, Devices and Markings Ratified
All traffic control signs, signals, devices and markings heretofore placed or erected by the City of Oak Leaf or the mayor and now in use for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic are hereby affirmed, ratified and declared to be the official traffic control devices; provided such traffic control devices are not inconsistent with the provisions of the state law.
Sec. 10.207Β Traffic Control Devices Prima Facie Evidence of Authorized Installation
It shall be proof, in any prosecution for a violation of this section or any traffic ordinance of the City of Oak Leaf, that any traffic control device, sign, signal or marking was actually in place on any street shall constitute prima facie evidence that the same was installed by the mayor or any person designated by him or her pursuant to the authority of this section and the ordinance directing the installation of such device, signal or marking since it is unlawful for any person other than the mayor or any person designated by him or her, acting pursuant to an ordinance of the city, to install or cause to be installed any signal, sign or device purporting to direct the use of the streets or the activities on those streets or pedestrians, vehicles, motor vehicles, or animals.
