§ 21-18. Display of warning devices when vehicles disabled.

(a)

Whenever any motor truck, passenger bus, truck tractor, trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer is disabled upon the traveled portion of any highway at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, the driver of such vehicle shall display the following warning devices upon the highway during the time the vehicle is so disabled on the highway except as provided in subsection (b) of this section:

(1)

A lighted fuse shall be immediately placed on the roadway at traffic side of the motor vehicle unless electric lanterns are displayed.

(2)

Within the burning period of the fuses and as promptly as possible three (3) lighted flares, pot torches, or three (3) electric lanterns shall be placed on the roadway as follows: One (1) at a distance of approximately one hundred (100) feet in advance of the vehicle, one (1) at a distance of approximately one hundred (100) feet to the rear of the vehicle, each in the center of the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle, and one (1) at the traffic side of the vehicle approximately ten (10) feet rearward or forward thereof.

(b)

Whenever any vehicle used in the transportation of inflammable liquid in bulk, or transporting compressed inflammable gases is disabled upon a highway at any time or place mentioned in subsection (a) of this section, the driver of such vehicle shall display upon the roadway the following lighted warning devices: One (1) red electric lantern shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of the vehicle and the two (2) other red electric lanterns shall be placed to the front and rear of the vehicle in the same manner prescribed in the preceding subsection. The use of flares, fuses or any signal produced by flames as warning signals is prohibited.

(c)

Whenever any vehicle of a type referred to in this section is disabled upon the traveled portion of a highway at any time when the display of fuses, flares or electric lanterns is not required, the driver of such vehicle shall display two (2) red flags upon the roadway in the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle, one (1) at a distance of approximately one hundred (100) feet in advance of the vehicle, and one (1) at a distance of approximately one hundred (100) feet to the rear of the vehicle.

(d)

In the alternative it shall be deemed a compliance with this section in the event three (3) portable reflector units on standards of a type approved by the state department of public safety are displayed at the time and under the conditions specified in this section either during the daytime or at nighttime. Such portable reflector units shall be placed on the roadway in the locations as described with reference to the placing of electric lanterns. Flags to be displayed as required in this section either during the daytime or at nighttime and such portable reflector units shall be placed on the roadways in the locations as described with reference to the placing of electric lanterns and lighted flares.

(e)

The flares, fuses, lantern and flags to be displayed as required in this section shall conform with the requirements of the following section.

(f)

It shall be unlawful for any person except any police officer while acting in his official capacity, or the owner of the vehicle or his duly authorized agent or employee, to remove, damage, destroy, misplace or extinguish any lamp, flare, fuse or other signaling device required under this section while the same are being displayed or being used as required by this chapter.

(Ord. No. 203, § 120)

State law reference

Similar provisions, V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 547.504.