Subchapter H. Speed Restrictions
SUBCHAPTER H. SPEED RESTRICTIONS
§ 545.351. MAXIMUM SPEED REQUIREMENT.
(a) An operator may not drive at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing.
(b) An operator:
(1) may not drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard for actual and potential hazards then existing; and
(2) shall control the speed of the vehicle as
necessary to avoid colliding with another person or vehicle that is on or entering the highway in compliance with law and the duty of each person to use due care.
(c) An operator shall, consistent with Subsections (a) and
(b), drive at an appropriate reduced speed if:
(1) the operator is approaching and crossing an
intersection or railroad grade crossing;
(2) the operator is approaching and going around a
curve;
(3) the operator is approaching a hill crest;
(4) the operator is traveling on a narrow or winding
roadway; and
(5) a special hazard exists with regard to traffic,
including pedestrians, or weather or highway conditions.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.109, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 545.352. PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS.
(a) A speed in excess of the limits established by Subsection (b) or under another provision of this subchapter is prima facie evidence that the speed
is not reasonable and prudent and that the speed is unlawful.
Text of subsec. (b) as amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 663, § 2 and Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 739, § 1
(b) Unless a special hazard exists that requires a slower speed for compliance with Section 545.351(b), the following speeds are lawful:
(1) 30 miles per hour in an urban district on a street
other than an alley and 15 miles per hour in an alley;
(2) 70 miles per hour in daytime and 65 miles per hour in nighttime if the vehicle is a passenger car, motorcycle, passenger car or light truck towing a trailer bearing a vessel, as defined by Section 31.003, Parks and Wildlife Code, that is less than 26 feet in length, passenger car or light truck towing a
trailer or semitrailer used primarily to transport a motorcycle, or passenger car or light truck towing a trailer or semitrailer designed and used primarily to transport dogs or livestock, on a highway numbered by this state or the United States outside an urban
district, including a farm-to-market or ranch-to-market road;
(3) 60 miles per hour in daytime and 55 miles per hour in nighttime if the vehicle is a passenger car or motorcycle on a highway that is outside an urban district and not a highway numbered by this state or the United States;
(4) 60 miles per hour outside an urban district if a
speed limit for the vehicle is not otherwise specified by this section; or
(5) outside an urban district:
(A) 60 miles per hour if the vehicle is a school
bus that has passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection under Section 548.201 and is on a highway numbered by the United States or this state, including a farm-to-market road;
(B) 50 miles per hour if the vehicle is a school
bus that:
(i) has not passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection under Section 548.201; or
(ii) is traveling on a highway not numbered
by the United States or this state; or
(C) 60 miles per hour in daytime and 55 miles per
hour in nighttime if the vehicle is a truck, other than a light truck, or if the vehicle is a truck tractor, trailer, or semitrailer, or a vehicle towing a trailer other than a trailer described by Subdivision (2), semitrailer, another motor vehicle or towable recreational vehicle.
Text of subsec. (b) as amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 663, § 2 and Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1346, § 1
(b) Unless a special hazard exists that requires a slower speed for compliance with Section 545.351(b), the following speeds are lawful:
(1) 30 miles per hour in an urban district on a street
other than an alley and 15 miles per hour in an alley;
(2) 70 miles per hour in daytime and 65 miles per hour in nighttime if the vehicle is on a highway numbered by this state or the United States outside an urban district, including a farm-to-market or ranch-to-market road, except as provided by
Subdivision (4);
(3) 60 miles per hour in daytime and 55 miles per hour in nighttime if the vehicle is on a highway that is outside an urban district and not a highway numbered by this state or the United States;
(4) outside an urban district:
(A) 60 miles per hour if the vehicle is a school
bus that has passed a commercial motor vehicle inspection under Section 548.201 and is on a highway numbered by the United States or this state, including a farm-to-market road;
(B) 50 miles per hour if the vehicle is a school
bus that:
(i) has not passed a commercial motor
vehicle inspection under Section 548.201; or
(ii) is traveling on a highway not numbered
by the United States or this state; or
(C) 60 miles per hour in daytime and 55 miles per
hour in nighttime if:
(i) the vehicle is a truck, other than a
light truck, or if the vehicle is a truck tractor, trailer, or
semitrailer; and
(ii) the vehicle is on a farm-to-market or
ranch-to-market road;
(5) on a beach, 15 miles per hour; or
(6) on a county road adjacent to a public beach, 15
miles per hour, if declared by the commissioners court of the county.
(c) The speed limits for a bus or other vehicle engaged in the business of transporting passengers for compensation or hire, for a commercial vehicle used as a highway post office vehicle for
highway post office service in the transportation of United States mail, for a light truck, and for a school activity bus are the same as required for a passenger car at the same time and location.
(d) In this section:
(1) "Interstate highway" means a segment of the
national system of interstate and defense highways that is:
(A) located in this state;
(B) officially designated by the Texas
Transportation Commission; and
(C) approved under Title 23, United States Code.
(2) "Light truck" means a truck with a manufacturer's
rated carrying capacity of not more than 2,000 pounds, including a pick-up truck, panel delivery truck, and carry-all truck.
(3) "Urban district" means the territory adjacent to
and including a highway, if the territory is improved with structures that are used for business, industry, or dwelling houses and are located at intervals of less than 100 feet for a distance of at least one-quarter mile on either side of the highway.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.110(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1020, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 663, § 2, eff. June 18, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 739, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999,
76th Leg., ch. 1346, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 545.353. AUTHORITY OF TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO ALTER SPEED LIMITS.
(a) If the Texas Transportation
Commission determines from the results of an engineering and traffic investigation that a prima facie speed limit in this subchapter is unreasonable or unsafe on a part of the highway system, the commission, by order recorded in its minutes, and
except as provided in Subsection (d), may determine and declare:
(1) a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit; and
(2) another reasonable and safe speed because of wet or inclement weather.
(b) In determining whether a prima facie speed limit on a part of the highway system is reasonable and safe, the commission shall consider the width and condition of the pavement, the usual traffic at the affected area, and other circumstances.
(c) A prima facie speed limit that is declared by the
commission under this section is effective when the commission erects signs giving notice of the new limit. A new limit that is enacted for a highway under this section is effective at all times or at other times as determined.
(d) Except as provided by Subsection (h), the commission may not:
(1) modify the rules established by Section
545.351(b);
(2) establish a speed limit of more than 70 miles per
hour; or
(3) increase the speed limit for a vehicle described
by Section 545.352(b)(5).
(e) The commission, in conducting the engineering and traffic investigation specified by Subsection (a), shall follow the "Procedure for Establishing Speed Zones" as adopted by the commission. The commission may revise the procedure to accommodate technological advancement in traffic operation, the design and construction of highways and motor vehicles, and the safety of the motoring public.
(f) The commission's authority to alter speed limits
applies:
(1) to any part of a highway officially designated or
marked by the commission as part of the state highway system; and
(2) both inside and outside the limits of a
municipality, including a home-rule municipality, for a
limited-access or controlled-access highway.
(g) For purposes of this section, "wet or inclement weather" means a condition of the roadway that makes driving on the roadway unsafe and hazardous and that is caused by precipitation, including water, ice, and snow.
(h) Notwithstanding Section 545.352(b), the commission may establish a speed limit of 75 miles per hour in daytime on a part of the highway system if:
(1) the commission determines that 75 miles per hour in daytime is a reasonable and safe speed for that part of the highway system; and
(2) that part of the highway is located in a county
with a population density of less than 10 persons per square mile.
(i) The speed limit authorized by Subsection (h) does not apply to:
(1) trucks, other than light trucks and light trucks
pulling a trailer; and
(2) truck tractors, trailers, and semitrailers.
(j) The commission may not determine or declare, or agree to determine or declare, a prima facie speed limit for environmental purposes on a part of the highway system.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.111, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1518, § 1, eff. June 15, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1331, § 25, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 545.3531. AUTHORITY OF TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH SPEED LIMITS ON TRANS-TEXAS CORRIDOR.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 545.352, the Texas
Transportation Commission, by order recorded in its minutes and except as provided by Subsection (d), may determine and declare on a highway segment of the Trans-Texas Corridor designated under
Chapter 227 a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit in excess of a prima facie speed limit established by Section 545.352.
(b) In determining whether a prima facie speed limit is reasonable and safe, the commission shall conduct an engineering and traffic investigation and shall consider the width and condition of the pavement, the usual traffic on the highway segment, the suitability of existing safety features, and other
circumstances.
(c) A prima facie speed limit that is declared by the
commission under this section is effective when the department erects signs giving notice of the new limit. A new limit that is enacted under this section is effective at all times or at other times as determined.
(d) The commission may not:
(1) modify the rules established by Section
545.351(b); or
(2) establish a speed limit of more than 85 miles per
hour.
(e) The commission, in conducting the engineering and traffic investigation specified by Subsection (b), shall follow the "Procedures for Establishing Speed Zones" as adopted by the commission.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1325, § 1.02, eff. June 21, 2003.
§ 545.3535. AUTHORITY OF TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO ALTER SPEED LIMITS ON CERTAIN ROADS.
(a) The commissioners court of a county by resolution may request the Texas Transportation Commission to determine and declare a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit that is lower than a speed limit established by Section 545.352 on any part of a farm-to-market or a ranch-to-market road of the highway system that is located in that
county and is without improved shoulders.
(b) The commission shall give consideration to local public opinion and may determine and declare a lower speed limit on any part of the road without an engineering and traffic investigation, but the commission must use sound and generally accepted traffic engineering practices in determining and declaring the lower speed limit.
(c) The commission by rule shall establish standards for determining lower speed limits within a set range.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, § 1.45, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1346, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
§ 545.354. AUTHORITY OF REGIONAL TOLLWAY AUTHORITIES TO ALTER SPEED LIMITS ON TURNPIKE PROJECTS.
(a)(1) In this section, "authority" means a regional tollway authority governed by Chapter 366.
(2) If an authority determines from the results of an
engineering and traffic investigation that a prima facie speed limit described in this subchapter is unreasonable or unsafe on a part of a turnpike constructed and maintained by the authority, the
authority by order recorded in its minutes shall determine and declare a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit for vehicles or classes of vehicles on the turnpike.
(b) In determining whether a prima facie speed limit on a part of a turnpike constructed and maintained by the authority is reasonable or safe, the authority shall consider the width and condition of the pavement, the usual traffic on the turnpike, and other circumstances.
(c) A prima facie speed limit that is declared by the
authority in accordance with this section is effective when the authority erects signs giving notice of the new limit. A new limit that is adopted for a turnpike project constructed and maintained by the authority in accordance with this section is effective at all
times or at other times as determined.
(d) The authority's power to alter prima facie speed limits is effective and exclusive on any part of a turnpike project constructed and maintained by the authority inside and outside the limits of a municipality, including a home-rule municipality.
(e) The authority may not:
(1) alter the general rule established by Section
545.351(a); or
(2) establish a speed limit of more than 70 miles per
hour.
(f) The authority, in conducting the engineering and
traffic investigation specified by Subsection (a), shall follow the procedure for establishing speed zones adopted by the Texas Department of Transportation.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 576, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 920, § 18, eff. June 14, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 312, § 74, 75, eff. June 18, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1325, § 15.71, 15.72, eff. June 21, 2003.
§ 545.355. AUTHORITY OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ALTER SPEED LIMITS.
(a) The commissioners court of a county, for
a county road or highway outside the limits of the right-of-way of an officially designated or marked highway or road of the state highway system and outside a municipality, has the same authority
to increase prima facie speed limits from the results of an engineering and traffic investigation as the Texas Transportation Commission on an officially designated or marked highway of the state highway system.
(b) The commissioners court of a county may declare a lower speed limit of not less than:
(1) 30 miles per hour on a county road or highway to which this section applies, if the commissioners court determines that the prima facie speed limit on the road or highway is unreasonable or unsafe; or
(2) 20 miles per hour in a residence district, unless
the roadway has been designated as a major thoroughfare by a city planning commission.
(c) The commissioners court may not modify the rule established by Section 545.351(a) or establish a speed limit of more than 60 miles per hour.
(d) The commissioners court may modify a prima facie speed limit in accordance with this section only by an order entered on its records.
(e) The commissioners court of a county with a population of more than 2.8 million may establish from the results of an engineering and traffic investigation a speed limit of not more than 70 miles per hour on any part of a highway of that county that is a limited-access or controlled-access highway, regardless of the location of the part of the highway.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 58, § 1, eff. May 9, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 833, § 1, eff. June 18, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 852, § 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
§ 545.356. AUTHORITY OF MUNICIPALITY TO ALTER SPEED LIMITS.
(a) The governing body of a municipality, for a highway or part of a highway in the municipality, including a highway of the state highway system, has the same authority to alter by ordinance prima facie speed limits from the results of an engineering and
traffic investigation as the Texas Transportation Commission on an officially designated or marked highway of the state highway system. The governing body of a municipality may not modify the rule established by Section 545.351(a) or establish a speed limit of more than 60 miles per hour.
(b) The governing body of a municipality, for a highway or part of a highway in the municipality, including a highway of the state highway system, has the same authority to alter prima facie speed limits from the results of an engineering and traffic
investigation as the commission for an officially designated or marked highway of the state highway system, when the highway or part of the highway is under repair, construction, or maintenance. A
municipality may not modify the rule established by Section 545.351(a) or establish a speed limit of more than 60 miles per hour.
(c) A prima facie speed limit that is altered by the
governing body of a municipality under Subsection (b) is effective when the governing body erects signs giving notice of the new limit and at all times or at other times as determined.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 545.357. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER SPEED LIMITS WHERE CERTAIN SCHOOLS ARE LOCATED.
(a) The governing body of a municipality in which a public or private elementary or secondary school or an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003(8) or (15), Education Code, is located shall on request hold a public hearing at least once each calendar year to consider prima facie speed limits on a highway in the municipality, including a
highway of the state highway system, near the school or institution of higher education.
(b) If a county road outside the state highway system is located within 500 feet of a public or private elementary or secondary school or an institution of higher education that is not in a municipality, the commissioners court of the county on request shall hold a public hearing at least once each calendar year to consider the prima facie speed limit on the road near the school or institution of higher education.
(c) A municipal governing body or commissioners court on request may hold one public hearing for all public and private elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education in its jurisdiction.
(d) The Texas Transportation Commission, on request, shall hold a public hearing at least once each calendar year to consider prima facie speed limits on highways in the state highway system that are near public or private elementary or secondary schools or
institutions of higher education.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 350, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 545.358. AUTHORITY OF COMMANDING OFFICER OF UNITED STATES MILITARY RESERVATION TO ALTER SPEED LIMITS.
The commanding officer of a United States military reservation, for a highway or part of a highway in the military reservation, including a highway of the state highway system, has the same authority by order to
alter prima facie speed limits from the results of an engineering and traffic investigation as the Texas Transportation Commission for an officially designated or marked highway of the state highway
system. A commanding officer may not modify the rule established by Section 545.351(a) or establish a speed limit of more than 60 miles per hour.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 545.359. CONFLICTING DESIGNATED SPEED LIMITS.
An order of the Texas Transportation Commission declaring a speed limit on a part of a designated or marked route of the state highway system made under Section 545.353 or 545.362 supersedes any
conflicting designated speed established under Sections 545.356 and 545.358.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 545.360. DUTY OF TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.
The chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission and the chairman of the State Board of Education shall provide assistance and information relevant to consideration of speed limits to commissioners courts, municipal governing bodies, and other interested persons.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 545.361. SPECIAL SPEED LIMITATIONS.
(a) An operator of a motor-driven cycle may not drive at a speed of more than 35 miles per hour during the time specified by Section 547.302(a)
unless the cycle is equipped with a headlamp or lamps that reveal a person or vehicle 300 feet ahead.
(b) An operator of a vehicle equipped with solid rubber or cushion tires may not drive at a speed of more than 10 miles per hour.
(c) An operator driving over a bridge or other elevated structure that is a part of a highway may not drive at a speed of more than the maximum speed that can be maintained with safety to
the bridge or structure, when signs are posted as provided by this section.
(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.
(e) The Texas Transportation Commission, for a state
highway, the Texas Turnpike Authority, for any part of a turnpike constructed and maintained by the authority, and a local authority for a highway under the jurisdiction of the local authority, may
investigate a bridge or other elevated structure that is a part of a highway. If after conducting the investigation the commission, turnpike authority, or local authority finds that the structure cannot safely withstand vehicles traveling at a speed otherwise
permissible under this subtitle, the commission, turnpike authority, or local authority shall:
(1) determine and declare the maximum speed of
vehicles that the structure can safely withstand; and
(2) post and maintain signs before each end of the
structure stating the maximum speed.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 545.362. TEMPORARY SPEED LIMITS.
(a) Subject to Subsection (c), the Texas Transportation Commission may enter an order establishing prima facie speed limits of not more than 70 miles per hour applicable to all highways, including a turnpike under the authority of the Texas Turnpike Authority or a highway under the control of a municipality or county. An order entered under this section does not have the effect of increasing a speed limit on any highway.
(b) The limits established under this section:
(1) are prima facie prudent and reasonable speed
limits enforceable in the same manner as prima facie limits established under other provisions of this subchapter; and
(2) supersede any other established speed limit that
would permit a person to operate a motor vehicle at a higher rate of speed.
(c) An order may be issued under Subsection (a) only if the commission finds and states in the order that:
(1) a severe shortage of motor fuel or other petroleum product exists, the shortage was caused by war, national emergency, or other circumstances, and a reduction of speed limits will foster conservation and safety; or
(2) the failure to alter state speed limits will
prevent the state from receiving money from the United States for highway purposes.
(d) Unless a specific speed limit is required by federal law or directive under threat of loss of highway money of the United States, the commission may not set prima facie speed limits under this section of all vehicles at less than 60 miles per hour, except
on a divided highway of at least four lanes, for which the commission may not set prima facie speed limits of all vehicles at less than 65 miles per hour.
(e) Before the commission may enter an order establishing a prima facie speed limit, it must hold a public hearing preceded by the publication in at least three newspapers of general circulation in the state of a notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing
and of the action proposed to be taken. The notice must be published at least 12 days before the date of the hearing. At the hearing, all interested persons may present oral or written testimony regarding the proposed order.
(f) If the commission enters an order under this section, it shall file the order in the office of the governor. The governor shall then make an independent finding of fact and determine the
existence of the facts in Subsection (c). Before the 13th day after the date the order is filed in the governor's office, the governor shall conclude the finding of fact, issue a proclamation stating
whether the necessary facts exist to support the issuance of the commission's order, and file copies of the order and the proclamation in the office of the secretary of state.
(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). Otherwise, the
order has no effect.
(h) In an order issued under this section, the commission may specify the date the order takes effect, but that date may not be sooner than the eighth day after the date the order is filed with
the governor. If the order does not have an effective date, it takes effect on the 21st day after the date it is filed with the governor. Unless the order by its own terms expires earlier, it remains in effect until a subsequent order adopted by the procedure
prescribed by this section amends or repeals it, except that an order adopted under this section expires when this section expires. The procedure for repealing an order is the same as for adopting an
order, except that the commission and the governor must find that the facts required to support the issuance of an order under Subsection (c) no longer exist.
(i) If an order is adopted in accordance with this section, the commission and all governmental authorities responsible for the maintenance of highway speed limit signs shall take appropriate
action to conceal or remove all signs that give notice of a speed limit of more than the one contained in the order and to erect appropriate signs. All governmental entities responsible for administering traffic safety programs and enforcing traffic laws
shall use all available resources to notify the public of the effect of the order. To accomplish this purpose, the governmental entities shall request the cooperation of all news media in the state.
(j) A change in speed limits under this section is effective until the commission makes a finding that the conditions in Subsection (c) require or authorize an additional change in those speed limits or in the highway or sections of highway to which those
speed limits apply.
(k) This section expires when the national maximum speed limits are repealed.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 545.3625. CONFIDENTIALITY OF VIOLATION INFORMATION: FUEL CONSERVATION SPEED LIMIT.
(a) If a person violates a maximum prima facie speed limit imposed under Section 545.362, as that law existed immediately before December 8, 1995, and the person was not traveling at a speed, as alleged in the citation, if not contested by the person, or, if contested by the person, as alleged in the
complaint and found by the court, that is greater than the maximum prima facie speed limit for the location that has been established under this chapter, other than under Section 545.362, information
in the custody of the department concerning the violation is confidential.
(b) The department may not release the information to any person or to another state governmental entity.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, § 30.112(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997.
§ 545.363. MINIMUM SPEED REGULATIONS.
(a) An operator may not drive so slowly as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
(b) When the Texas Transportation Commission, the Texas Turnpike Authority, the commissioners court of a county, or the governing body of a municipality, within the jurisdiction of each, as applicable, as specified in Sections 545.353 to 545.357, determines from the results of an engineering and traffic
investigation that slow speeds on a part of a highway consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the commission, authority, county commissioners court, or governing body may determine and declare a minimum speed limit on the highway.
(c) If appropriate signs are erected giving notice of a minimum speed limit adopted under this section, an operator may not drive a vehicle more slowly than that limit except as necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 545.365. SPEED LIMIT EXCEPTION FOR EMERGENCIES; MUNICIPAL REGULATION.
(a) The regulation of the speed of a vehicle under this subchapter does not apply to:
(1) an authorized emergency vehicle responding to a call;
(2) a police patrol; or
(3) a physician or ambulance responding to an
emergency call.
(b) A municipality by ordinance may regulate the speed of:
(1) an ambulance;
(2) an emergency medical services vehicle; or
(3) an authorized vehicle operated by a blood or
tissue bank.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.