Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 65-C1 AN ORDINANCE: Entitled and Ordinance regulating the passage in, along and upon the Streets and wags of the City of Beaumont, and regu- lating the uselof such streets and ways by persons riding or walking, and regulating transportation of persons by street ears and all other vehicles, and providing penalties for the violation thereof, repealing 31 laws and ordinances in conflict herewith; and declaring anremergeney. BE IT ORDAINED BY'THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BEAUM017T: SECTION ONE. ThAt it shall be unlawful for any person who shall cross any street at its 'intersection with another street, in the -city of Beaumont, Texas to walk or .move.across said street, except in a direction at right angles to the curbing of the street being crossed SECTION TWO. That any person violating the provisions in Section One of this ,ordine,ncej shall be deemed dM?ilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof in the corpo atioh court of the City of Beaumont; shall be fined in any sum not exceeding Two Hundred -(200.00) Dollars. SECTION THREE. That all laws and parts of laws hereby repealed. SECTION FOUR. �L in conflict herewith are It shall be unlawful for any driver or owner Of ally carriage or'other vehicle to haul or take as a -passenger any common . prostitute, bawd, or woman or notoriously lewd character about and through the streets of Beaumont, provided nothing in this article shall prohibit the carrying of such persons as passengers, to and from the depots and to courts, where they have been summoned to appear, or where they go to make complaint or to any -other place where they may have lawful business. SECTION FIVE. It shall be unlawful for any owner_ or driver of any carriage, hack, wagon .or other vehicle to wash or clean the mud or dirt or filth of any character off their said vehicles on any street where the street is paved, and'anyone violating the provisions hereof shall be'fined not exceeding ten dollars ($10.00). And it shall be unlawful for any owner or agent of any carriage,- hack, wagon or other vehicle`bf any description whatsoever to store it upon any public street or alley in the City of Beaumont, or to use as a staring place for extra equipment, either as agent or owner, or to use any of the said public streets or alleys as stands for public or private business of any kind whatsoever. SECTION SIX. All vehicles shall keep to the right 'of the center line of' the streetand as near the right hand curb as pr4ctieable. i All vehicles shall keep close to the curb on the right provided that a vehicle overtaking another shall go to the left of the overtaken vehicle in passing, but\it shall not turn out to the left unless there -is a clear way of at least one hundred (100) feet ahead on the left, free. SECTION SEVEN. All vehicles turning -to the right into another street shall turn the corners as near as practicable to the curb. SECTION EIGHT. All vehicles turning to: the left into another street shall pass to the right of and beyond the center of the street inter- section before turning and shall upon approaching make signal by holding out the left hand, which will indicate to those vehicles immediately in the rear that the driver is about to turn. SECTION NINE. A.- No vehicle shall stop with its left side'to the curb and all vehicles when stopped shall stand parallel to the curb at a distance not greater than twelve inches from the right front-' wheel and twelve .inches from the, right rear wheel to the curb, except in those places and on those streets where this ordinance specific&lly provides that vehicles may be parked at an angle of 45 degrees. B.- Vehicles shall park at an angle of -45 degrees on the Norhh side of the following streets;- On Crockett from the intersection of'Jefferson, thence East to the intersection of Dain. On Bowie from its intersection with Neches, thence East to its intersec- tion with Main Street, On Fannin from its intersection with Neches Street, thence East -to its intersection with Main Street. On Forsythe from its intersection with Neches, thence East to its intersection with Main Street. On Nall from its intersec- tion with Neches Street, thence East to its intersection with Main Street, On Cellege from its intersection with Neches Street; thence East to its intersection with Main Street. And vehicles shall park at an angle of 45 degrees on both sides of Calder Ave- nue from its intersection.with Pearl Street to its intersection with lain Street. C." On all other streets,and parts of streets, in the City of Beaumont, public or paivate,which shall include, and does hereby include all alleys except as.herein otherwise provided, automo- biles and all other vehicles xktt shall park,only on a parallel line with the front right and rear wheels of the vehicle not more at any time than 12 inches from the curb or curb line D.- Provided further that all vehicles drawn by horses or other animals shall stop with the right side of the vehicle next to the curbing or curb line and parallej With the same and not more than 12 inches therefrom. E.- And provided further that it shall be unlawful and a violation of the traffic ordinances of the City of Beaumont for any vehicle to be parked at any place nearer than 18 feet from the street corner or corner of the block where said vehicle is, parked, whether parallel with the curb or at angle of 45 degrees. F.- It is further provided that on all streets in the" business district which are or may be affected by the parking ordinances that the city engineer shall mark same with white.paint or other white substance in a suitable manner for the guidance and assistance o� the citizens, namely, that where parallel parking is required said white marker shall be extended at right angles with the curb, and that where angle parking is permitted the white marker shall be extended at an angle of 45 degrees from the curb. Said white markers shall be placed not more than 30 feet apart, or closer, if the City Commission shall so direct. G.- It is also further provided that the City Engineer shall place in the middle of all streets within the buainess district a white stone or other white object of suitable composition which shall be not less than 12 inches in diameter and not more than 18 inches; high, which object shall be placed and shall there- by fix and determine the center of each intersection for the benefit of-the public, which shall at all times make it mandatory that persons.driving automobiles or other vehicles of any de- scription whatsoever shall in making-a left hand turn drive com- pletely to the right of the said white stone or other suitable material object. H.- It is also specifically provided herein that the City Commission may, if it deems it proper and expedient, install or cause to be installed and operated by the traffic officers of the Police Department, such semaphores or other signal signs of auxiff other Aevices which may be approved by the City Commis- sion and whicri would be of value to the despatch of traffic congestion where said congestion warrants. I.- That it shall be unlawful for any vehicle-, motor,or otherwise-, t-o- park directly-in-front of the entrance to any office building, hotel, or theatre, patronized by the public, when the space in front of the entrance to such building, hotel, or theatre shall be marked by official signs on which shall be written -'"This space reserved by order of the Police Department;" provided that the City Commission may from time to time designa#e, by order or resolution, such building, theatre, etc., before which such space shall be reserved and by like method regulate the width of the space to be reserved. J.- It shall be unlawful for any person owning or driving or in charge of any motor vehicle, or other vehicle, or domestic animal, to.park'or permit the parking or standing thereof on Crockett Stfseet, b6tween the East line of Vearl Street to Orleans Street, and on Laurel Avenue from Orleans Street to .Alamo Street, except on the North side of said Crockett Street and,Laurel Avenuet provided that'all vehicles may park on the North side of said Streets at an angle of 45 degrees. SECTION TEN. No vehicle shall stand backed up to the curb, except when actually loading or unloading, and when a horse-drawn vehicle is backed up to the curb the horse or horses shall be turned so as to stand parallel with the curb and headed in the general direction of travel for the side of the street on which the vehicle is btanding. SECTION ELEVEN. Unless in an emergency, or to allow another vehicle or a Pedestrian to cross its path, no vehicle shall stop or stand in any public street or highway in the.City of Beaumont, except close to the curb line, and not over twelve (12) inches therefrom. SECTION T VT EVE No vehicle shall stop f or the purpose of taking up of setting down a passenger or passengers, or unloading or loading, or for any other purpose in such a way as to obstruct any crossing, nor shall a vehicle stop on -any part of the street for any purpose whatsoever, except it be next to the curb and not more than 12 inches from the curb to the right front or right rear Wheel, subject th the parking provisions herein. SECTION 'THIRTEEN. No vehicle shall stop and stand within the intersection of any two streets for any purpose whatsoever, except it be an ambulance, a police ear, or fire -fighting apparatus. SECTION FOURTEEN. Street cars shall stop on the near side of the street at the crossing to discharge or receive passengers, provided that on Liberty Street at.its intersection' with Pearl Street as to all cars going North and on streets where street car tracks cross z railroad tracks, or where unusual traffic -conditions prevail, and where the City Commission may by order at any time require, street cars shall stop on the far side of the street, provided that all street cess operated by,,the Eastern Texas Electric Company shall establish a skip -stop system through the business portions of the city and submit same to the City Commission for its approval or rejection. And it is further provided that the said Companys shall provide a skip -stop system for its interurban - cars operated through the City; it being also specifically pro- vided'that the said interurban. skip -stop system shall be pre- sented to the City Commission for its approval or rejection; provided further that the City Commission may from time to time at any time, at its discretion, Vorder or resolution, change the stopping places of such cars at street intersections and elsewhere. SECTION FIFTEEN. Mh.en an automobile, other motor vehicle or any other character of vehicle approaches a street car which has stopped for the purpose of permitting passengers to alight therefrom, or to get on said street car, the said automobile, motor vehicle, ar other vehicle, shall immediately slow down and come to a full stop and remain stationary until the said street car has completed receiv- ing and discharging its passengerso It shall be unlawful for any automobile, motor vehicle, or other vehicle to approach nearer than five (5) feet to a standing street car which is receiving or dischargingi passengers.. - SECTION S]EgTEEN. On all public streets and highways of the City of Beaumont, all vehicles going in a Northerly or Southerly direction shall have the right-of-way over those going in an Easterly or Westerly direction, provided that officers and members of the fire depart- ment with their fire apparatus when going to, or on duty at, or returning from, a fire, and all officers or men and vehicles of the police department, and all ambulances when answering emergency Calls, shell have the right-of-way in any street and through any procession. Street cars shall have the right-of-way on their Tracks between street intersections, and persons driving vehicles J on the stre.et car tracks shall immediately turn out on a signal given by the motorman. SECTION SEVENTEEN. It -shall be unlawful for any person to operate or drive any vehicle on the streets or ways of the City of Beaumont, or in any cemetery, or place of burial in said city, or in any public park of said city at a rate'of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to traffic and the use of the way and the safety of the public. It shall be prima facie evidence of a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper as aforesaid, if any vehicle is operated on any street or way of the City of Beaumont at a rate of'speed exceeding eighteen (18)miles per hour. It shall be prima facie evidence of a greater speed - than is reasonable and proper as aforesaid, if any vehicle is operated in any cemetery or place of burial, or in any public park in said city at a. rate of speed exceeding eight (8) miles per hour; or if any vehicle is Operated on any street or way at a speed greater than eight t8) miles per hour where the operator's or chauffeur's view of the road traffic is obstructed, either upon approaching a way or street,or in traversing a crossing or intersection of streets or ways, or in going around a curve or a corner in any street or way either public or private, in the city of Beaumont. Provided further, that no person in charge of any vehicle, upon any public or private street or way, or in any cemetery, place of burial, or public park in the City of Beaumont, shall drive at any speed without due regard to the traffic and use of the streets, ways, so as to endanger the life, limb or properjay of persons thereon.- And provided further,. that this article shall not apply to any drivers of any vehicles of the fire department and police department'of the City of Beaumont, nor to any driver of an ambulance answering any emergency call. SECTION EIGHTEEN. Every automobile and motor vehicle while in motion, shall, between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise carry two lights, one on each side, of at least four (4) candle power, to be set in front of a reflector, and one light on the rear of the vehicle. The front lights may be white, but the rear hall be red. Other vehicles operating between these hours shallearry at least one light, which shall be plainly visible to the travel- ing public from the front or the rear. SECTION NINETEEN. Every bicycle or motorcycle when moving, shall carry a white light in front, of at least two (2) candle power, and one light in the rear of all motorcycles, of not less than two (2c candle power, which light shall throw a white light on the number of such vehicle, and every other vehicle shall carry one or more lights in front or on sides so as to be plainly visible at not less than fifty feet. SECTION T iVENTY.- It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or propel any vehicle upon any sidewal 4, or to allow any vehicle driven or propelled by 4im or her, to stand upon any sidewalk. SECTION T'41ENTY-ONE It shall be unlawful for any person in charge of any horse or other domestic animal to tie or hitch such horse or other animal to any fire plug, United States mail box, post, awning post, or shade tree. SECTION 'T7,VENTY-T`NO. A.- It shall be unlawful for any person in charge of any vehicle, motor or otherwise, or any domestic animal, toaallow said vehicle, or Animal to remain standing between the hours of 7 A.M. and 7 2* M. for a longer period than below specified on any of the streets or portions of streets to -wit: Beginning at a point one -hundred (100) feet Southwest of the center of the intersection of Orleans and Liberty and thence East on Liberty to the East boundary of the Federal Building property on Liberty Street- It shall be unlawful for any vehicle, motor, or otherwise to stop for any purpose other than receiving and discharging passengers or contents. The Police Department is hereby directed and instructed to arrest any driver of any vehicle who shall leave or abandon any vehicle on this street as above described, for any purpose whatsoever. And beginning at the intersection of Orleans Street with Washington Street, thence East on Washington Street to its intersection with.Main Street, - it shall be unlawful for any vehicle, motor or otherwise to stop for any purpose other than receiving and discharging passengers or contents. The Police Department is hereby directed and in- structed to arrest any driver of any vehicle who shall leave or abandon any vehicle- on this street as above described, for any purpose whatsoever. B.- It shall be unlawful for any person in charge of any motor vehicle or otherwise, or domestic animal, to allow said vehicle or animal to remain standing between the hours of 7 A. M. and 7 P. M. for a longer period than 60 minutes on the following streets or portions of streets, to -wit: From the intersection of Pearl and Crockett Streets thence East on Crockett Street j4�tghe intersection of Crockett and Main Street and from the intersection of Broadway and Pearl Street; thence South on Pearl to the intersection of Washington and Pearl. C.- It shall be unlawful for any vehicle, motor or otherwise, or domestic animal, to allow said vehicle or animal to remain standing between the hours of 7 A. M. and 7 P. M. for a longer period than sixty (60) minutes on the following described streets, to -wit: Beginning at the intersection at Orleans and Liberty, thence South on Orleans to its 'intersection with Forsythe Street, D.- It is specifically provided that nothing herein controll- 2mg the period of time during which automobiles, vehicles, or domestic animals, may remain standing on any of the streets specified, shall be construed to apply to drivers of vehicles b, of the Fire Department or Police Department in actual discharge of their duties, nor to the drivers of ambulances. E.- It shall be unlawful for any persan to stop or leave standing an automobile or vehicle within less than seven and one-half ( 72 ) feet on ei, cher side of any fire hydrant in the City and no such automobile or other vehicle shall be stopped of left standing in front of any such fire hydrants. SECTION 'MENTY-THREE. EVERY DRIVER OF A vehicle shall, before slowing up or stopping, give a visible signal to those behind, by the raising of the left hand. SECTION 'TWENTY-FOUR. Before backing a vehicle to unload or load, ample warning shall be given by the voice or by the raising of the hand, so as to prevent injury to those behind. SECTION TWENTY-FIVE. No vehicle shall be driven through a funeral procession, nor shall any vehicle remain on any street in such a manner as to interfere with the passage of such procession. SECTION TWENTY-SIX. No vehicle shall stop or remain standing on any street at any of its crossings in such manner as to obstruct passage over such crossings, nor shall any vehicle be permitted to make a complete turn, or turn around on Pearl Street between its inter- sections with Franklin Street and Calder Avenue, nor shall any vehicle make a complete turn or turnaround on Orleans Street between its intersection with Wall and Liberty Streets, nor shall any vehicle be permitted to make a complete turn or turn around on any improved or paved street or way of -the City of Beaumont, except at the established intersections thereof. SECTION TWENTY-SEVEN. Any person driving or operating an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle shall, at .the request or in response to a signal by any person riding or driving a horse or horses or other domestic animals which show signs'of fright, cause such vehicle or machine to come to a standstill as quickly as possible, and to remain stationary long enough to allow such animal or animals to pass. SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT. No operator of any motor vehicle shall at any time permit any unreasonable amount of smoke to escape from such motor vehicle nor shall said operator at any time open the muffler cut-out within the City of Beaumont, nor shall he permit such motor ve- hicle to make any unnecessary noise byk cutting out the muffler or otherwise. SECTION TWENTY-NINE. No person who is not the owner, or the one who is in charge, except with the permission of such owner or person in charge, shall enter or meddle with or in any way handle any automobile, motor vehicle or other vehicle left on the streets or alleys of the City of Beaumont. No person shall catch or hang on any vehicle, except with the permission of the owner or person in charge of such vehicle. SECTION THIRTY. No person shall drive or conduct any motor or other vehicle on the streets in the City of Beaumont, when such person iii under sixteen (16) years of age. SECTION THIRTY-ONE It shall be the duty of every person driving, using or having the control of any vehicle or animal upon the public streets of this City to obey the order of any police officer regarding,the speed of any such vehicle or animal upon any of the public streets of this Oity. SECTION THIRTY-TWO. Any police officer may conduct the movement or order the stopplge of any vehicle or ankmal in the streets and alleys of this City to the end that pedestriahs may cross same in safety. Slow-moving vehicles shall keep as close to the curb line as possible, so as to allow the faster moving -vehicles free passage on the left. SECTION THIRTY-THREE. No person having charge of a vehicle shall allow the same to come within ten feet of any vehicle in front of him when approach- ing or passing a crossing, nor shall any person having charge of a vehicle pass another vehicle going the same direction at any street intersection, nor shall any person pass any street car when same is stopped for the purpose of taking on or discharging passengers. For shall any person drive around and to the left of any street car going in the same direction that he is operat- ing his car. SECTION THIRTY-FOUR. Drivers of automobiles or motor vehieles,shall, in approaching a crossing or in rounding a corner or curge of a public street, sound a signal in such a way as to give warning to other vehicles and pedestrians of their approach. In making a right hand turn no signn ith the hand shall be required, but in maTti.ng a left hand to any person failing to give visible signal with left hand o� intention to make such a turn.sha.11 be considered guilty of violating this section of the traffic ordinance. SECTION THIRTY-FMVE. Vehicles must .stop -not less than ten feet from street inter- section when traffic conditions or a police signal makes a stop crossing imperative, so as not to interfere with or prevent the passage of pedestrians over rggularly established crossings from one. street corner to another, and al all times the drivers of all vehicles of whatsever description mast stop the same on a signal from any police officer and must conform with the regulation pres- cribed as to distance which must be left for pedestrians. SECTION THIRTY-SIX. The police, fire department, emergency repair wagon, United States mail wagon and ambulances have the right -o4 -way in any stream nd through any procession. SHOTION THIRTY-SEVEN. Unless th an'bxtreme zu emergency or to allow a vehicle or pedestrian to pass, no vehicle shall stop in any public street except close to the curb, as provided For hereinabove. il SECTION THIRTY-EIGHT. A person having charge of a vehicle shall not stop the same abreastof another vehicle lengthwise of the street in any public stret'r alley, except in case of accident.. SECTION THIRTY-NINE. No person having charge of a vehicle in a public street shall refuse or neglect to stop same or place same as directed by po- lice officer, any of these rules or regulatlans to the c ontaary notwithstanding. SECTION FORTY. No horse or vehicle shall be backed, led or left standing on any side -walk within the City of Beaumont. SE'CTIvTT FORTY-ONE. A. ---No person shall conduct or diave any vehicle in such a condition or ao construct/& loaded as to be likely to cause de- lay in traffic or injury or addident to man, beast or property. B. ---It is hereby specifically provided that nay vehicle, motor or otherwise, which is loaded with any mateiial which pmo jects more than two feet from the established bed of the said vehicle, the driver or owner thereof shall cause to be placed at the extreme projected end of the material so loaded a signal, which by day shall be of red cloth and by might a red lantern, to warn traffic of its unusual load. C. ---It is also specifically provided herein that no truck or other vehicle laving a carrying capacity of more than two tons shall be permitted, without special permission of the City Commis- sion to traverse Pearl Street, between its intersection with Broad- way ant College on Pearl Street,, except for the purpose of making a direct crossing. D. ---It is furt'ier provided herein that any vehicle, motor or otherwise, having irregular dimensions, or a width more than six eight (8) feet begardless of its carrying capacity, shall not at any time be permitted the use of Pearl Street bet7reen the inter- section of Broadway.and the intersection of College Street. SECTION FORTY- TO. No person shall drive or convey through any public strait any vehicle of whatsoever description, Zhe width of which withits load exceeds 10 feet except in accordance with a permit which mar be granted by the City C o�pmissi on. SECTION FORTY-LHRE3. NO person shall curry or cause to be carried on or in any ve- hicle on any improved stredi-of the City of Beaumont, a load the weight of zrhich exceeds six (6) tens, uOless such load consist of an article VAaich cannot be divided and then only when the City Commission grants a special permit and prescribes a course over which the vehicle may move. It is also specially provided that no tractor or motor vehicle having lugs or,other special tra.ction attachment to its wheels, shall have the use of any of -the improved- streets mprovedstreets of the City of Beaumont, except when the City Commission grants a special permit and prescribes a course over which the tractor or othek motor vehicle may move. SECTION FORTY-FOUR. It shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to cross upon any street in such manner as to interfere with the traffic of the street. 4 SECTION FORTY-FIVE. No person shall engage in any conduct upon any street, way or highway in the City of Beaumont, which shall be likely to frighten horses, injur$-passengers or impair the passage of vehicles, motors or otherwise thereon. _ SECTION FORTY-SIX. All orlinances or laws or all parts of ordinances or laws relating to the use of the public streets or ways in the City of Beaumont, by motor or other vehicle=flee shall be upon the passage of this ordinance and its signature by the Mayor hereby repeal Lk SECTION FORTY-SEVEN. No person shall leave a vehicle hitched or standing in the front of any person's residence, place of butiness or property, for more than thirty (30) minutes, if the owner or occupant of such property offers objection thereto. SECTION FORTY-EIGHT. No person shall, in a state of intoxication, drive or operate an automobile, motor vehicle, or other vehicle upon the streets of the City of Beaumont. SECTION FORTY-NINE. It shall be unlawful for any person driving or operating any motor vehicle or vehicle drawn by horses or other animals, to make a complete turn of the same in the middle of a block, on any street within ,the city limits of the City of Beaumont. SECTION FIFTY. It shall be unlawful for the driver or any one in charge of an automobile to leave same standing on any street or public way in the City of Beaumont, with the motor or engine therin running, but shall upon leaving such car or abandoning the steering wheel thereof, stop the motor or engine thereof from running. SECTION FIFTY-ONE. .Any person violating any of the provisions of the sections or sub -sections of this ordinance, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof in the corporation court of the City of Beaumont, shall be fined in'any sum not to exceed Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars. SECTION FIFTY-TWO. The City Commission shall have the power, at their discretion, and as in.,,, -their judgment the public interest and convenience require�z,,ore-designate, by order or resolution, the streets and ways affected by this Ordinance, and may from time to time alter aE modj�g the provisions hereof in such way and to such extent in it Ju gment the public interest and convenience require, and may from time to time promulgate and enforce other and additional rules and regulations affecting traffic in the City of Beaumont. SEC'TIOR PIPTY-THREE. In the event any part of this Ordinance is or is held to be, invalid for any reason, the balance of said ordinance, sly, shall not for that reason be held invalid but shall remain in full force and effect; or if any provision herein should be held --to invalidate .the entire ordinance the ordinance fog that reason shall not'be invalidated but.the obnoxious pro- vision shall be, and shall be held to be nugatory and of no force and-_effect.--- SEC.TION FIFTY-FOUR. the fact that the traffic conditions in the City of Beaumont are serious, causing great public inconvenience and danger, and the fact that there are no adequate lavas of rules or regulations affecting such.conditions, creates an impera- tine public emergency, necessitating the suspension'of the rule requiring all ordinances .to be read on -three separate days, wherefore, said rule is hereby suspended and this ordi- -nance shall take effect and be and remain in effect on and after the 4th. day of September, A. D. 1920.