In San Antonio, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, and horseback riders are considered vulnerable road users. So those who aren’t vulnerable road users are motor vehicle operators. Roads can be scary for vulnerable road users, but ordinances lay out the rules. Because safety is a priority, extra precautions are made. Ordinances consist of rules, and guidelines to keep everyone safe. The controlling city ordinance in San Antonio is §19-9. The city ordinance protects these road users from the motorist, so read on to learn more. The text of the ordinance is as follows:
19-9. – Vulnerable road users
(a) In this section, a vulnerable road user means:
(1) A pedestrian, including a runner, physically disabled person, child, skater, highway construction and maintenance worker, tow truck operator, utility worker, other worker with legitimate business in or near the road or right-of-way, or stranded motorist or passenger;
(2) A person on horseback;
(3) A person operating equipment other than a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a bicycle, handcycle, horse-driven conveyance, or unprotected farm equipment; or
(4) A person operating a motorcycle, moped, motor-driven cycle, or motor-assisted scooter.
Motor Vehicle Operator:
(b) An operator of a motor vehicle passing a vulnerable road user operating on a highway or street shall:
(1) Vacate the lane in which the vulnerable road user is located if the highway has two (2) or more marked lanes running in the same direction; or
(2) Pass the vulnerable road user at a safe distance.
(c) For the purpose of subsection (b)(2), when road conditions allow, safe distance is at least:
(1) Three (3) feet if the operator’s vehicle is a passenger car or light truck; or
(2) Six (6) feet if the operator’s vehicle is a truck, other than a light truck, or a commercial motor vehicle as defined by V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 522.003.
Motor Vehicle Operator Continued
(d) An operator of a motor vehicle that is making a left turn at an intersection, including an intersection with an alley or private road or driveway, shall yield the right-of-way to a vulnerable road user who is approaching from the opposite direction and is in the intersection, or is in such proximity to the intersection as to be an immediate hazard.
(e) An operator of a motor vehicle may not overtake a vulnerable road user traveling in the same direction and subsequently make a right-hand turn in front of the vulnerable road user unless the operator is safely clear of the vulnerable road user, taking into account the speed at which the vulnerable road user is traveling and the braking requirements of the motor vehicle making the right-hand turn.
(f) An operator of a motor vehicle may not maneuver the vehicle in a manner that:
(1) Is intended to cause intimidation or harassment to a vulnerable road user, or
(2) Threatens a vulnerable road user.
(g) An operator of a motor vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any vulnerable road user on a roadway or in an intersection of roadways.
(h) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that at the time of the offense the vulnerable road user was acting in violation of the law.
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We serve all of South Texas, with offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, McAllen, and Brownsville. With over 100 years of combined experience, our attorneys have successfully worked and resolved over 20,000 cases. These cases involve car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. Other cases handled often involve injuries caused by faulty products, slip and falls, and workplace accidents. So, if you or a loved one is ever injured by someone’s negligence be sure to contact us at 361-882-4357. An experienced San Antonio attorney can help you. You can also contact us via our website at htps://www.herrmanandherrman.com/contact-us/ for your free consultation.
