37 Tex. Admin. Code § 3.41 - Legal Authority for Police Officers To Direct Traffic

(a) Activities of officers in traffic direction.

(1) Indicate to drivers and pedestrians what to do or not to do, especially when and how to move at a congested point whenever and wherever hazards and congestion make the use of streets and highways dangerous or difficult.

(2) Make emergency rules for the flow of traffic when the usual regulations prove inadequate or when special regulations have not been made to meet unusual or unexpected traffic conditions.

(b) Directing traffic with hand signals.

(1) Stopping traffic. Look and point to the driver who is to stop. Raise pointing hand (but not arm) so the palm is to the driver. Same procedure for traffic from other direction when applicable. Look and point at car and driver to be started until officer gets driver's attention.

(2) Starting traffic. Swing hand, palm up, up and over to officer's chin. Bend arm only at elbow. Use same procedure for traffic from other direction when applicable.

(3) Right turn. Point at driver signaling a right turn, then point where he is to go if turn is to be allowed.

(4) Left turn. Stop opposing traffic and point to driver and where he is to go if turn is to be allowed.

(c) Directing traffic with special equipment.

(1) Whistle. Stop signal, one long blast; start signal, two short blasts; to get attention, several short blasts.

(2) Baton. Stop signal, officer face traffic holding baton in front and slowly swing or wig-wag from left to right in arc of about 45 degrees. Start signal, same as hand signal. Turning traffic, same as hand signal.

(3) Flashlight only. Stop signal, officer hold flashlight at arms length, swinging slowly left and right with beam on pavement between officer and vehicle; when driver gets near enough and slow enough to see hand signal, stop by proper hand signal. Directions for other movements are the same as with baton.

(d) Pedestrian and other nonvehicular traffic. These rules apply to the direction of pedestrians and other nonvehicular traffic except in those instances which by their very nature have no application.

Notes

37 Tex. Admin. Code § 3.41

The provisions of this §3.41 adopted to be effective January 1, 1976