CHAPTER 723. TEXAS TRAFFIC SAFETY ACT - Texas Statutes

TRANSPORTATION CODE

TITLE 7. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC

SUBTITLE J. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 723. TEXAS TRAFFIC SAFETY ACT

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 723.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the

Texas Traffic Safety Act.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 723.002. GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSE. The establishment,

development, and maintenance of a traffic safety program is a

vital governmental purpose and function of the state and its

legal and political subdivisions.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 723.003. TRAFFIC SAFETY FUND ACCOUNT. (a) The traffic

safety fund account is an account in the general revenue fund.

Money received from any source to implement this chapter shall

be:

(1) deposited to the credit of the traffic safety fund account;

and

(2) spent with other state money spent to implement this chapter

in the manner in which the other state money is spent.

(b) A payment from the traffic safety fund account shall be made

in compliance with this chapter and rules adopted by the

governor.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.162, eff. Sept.

1, 1997.

SUBCHAPTER B. PREPARATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF TRAFFIC SAFETY

PROGRAM

Sec. 723.011. GOVERNOR'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROGRAM. (a) The

governor shall:

(1) prepare and administer a statewide traffic safety program

designed to reduce traffic accidents and the death, injury, and

property damage that result from traffic accidents;

(2) adopt rules for the administration of this chapter,

including rules, procedures, and policy statements governing

grants-in-aid and contractual relations;

(3) receive on the state's behalf for the implementation of this

chapter money made available by the United States under federal

law; and

(4) allocate money appropriated by the legislature in the

General Appropriations Act to implement this chapter.

(b) In preparing and administering the traffic safety program,

the governor may:

(1) cooperate with the United States or a legal or political

subdivision of the state in research designed to aid in traffic

safety;

(2) accept federal money available for research relating to

traffic safety; and

(3) employ personnel necessary to administer this chapter.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 723.012. TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM. The statewide traffic

safety program must include:

(1) a driver education and training program administered by the

governor through appropriate agencies that complies with Section

723.013;

(2) plans for improving:

(A) driver licensing;

(B) accident records;

(C) vehicle inspection, registration, and titling;

(D) traffic engineering;

(E) personnel;

(F) police traffic supervision;

(G) traffic courts;

(H) highway design; and

(I) uniform traffic laws; and

(3) plans for local traffic safety programs by legal and

political subdivisions of this state that may be implemented if

the programs:

(A) are approved by the governor; and

(B) conform with uniform standards adopted under the Highway

Safety Act of 1966 (23 U.S.C. Sec. 401 et seq.).

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 723.013. DRIVER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) The

statewide driver education and training program required by

Section 723.012 shall provide for:

(1) rules that permit controlled innovation and experimentation

and that set minimum standards for:

(A) classroom instruction;

(B) driving skills training;

(C) instructor qualifications;

(D) program content; and

(E) supplementary materials and equipment;

(2) a method for continuing evaluation of approved driver

education and training programs to identify the practices most

effective in preventing traffic accidents; and

(3) contracts between the governing bodies of centrally located

independent school districts or other appropriate public or

private agencies and the state to provide approved driver

education and training programs.

(b) Instruction offered under a contract authorized by this

section must be offered to any applicant who is over 15 years of

age.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 723.014. COOPERATION OF STATE AGENCIES, OFFICERS, AND

EMPLOYEES. On the governor's request, a state agency or

institution, state officer, or state employee shall cooperate in

an activity of the state that is consistent with:

(1) this chapter; and

(2) the agency's, institution's, officer's, or employee's

official functions.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 723.015. PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAM BY LEGAL OR POLITICAL

SUBDIVISION. A legal or political subdivision of this state may:

(1) cooperate and contract with the state, another legal or

political subdivision of this state, or a private person in

establishing, developing, and maintaining a statewide traffic

safety program;

(2) spend money from any source for an activity related to

performing a part of the traffic safety program; and

(3) contract and pay for a personal service or property to be

used in the traffic safety program or for an activity related to

the program.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

SUBCHAPTER C. GIFTS, GRANTS, DONATIONS, GRANTS-IN-AID, AND

PAYMENTS

Sec. 723.031. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. To implement this

chapter, the state may accept and spend a gift, grant, or

donation of money or other property from a private source.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 723.032. GRANTS-IN-AID AND CONTRACTUAL PAYMENTS. (a) A

grant-in-aid for a governmental purpose or a contractual payment

may be made to a legal or political subdivision of this state to

carry out a duty or activity that is part of the statewide

traffic safety program.

(b) To implement this chapter, a contractual payment may be made

from money in the traffic safety fund account for a service

rendered or property furnished by a private person or an agency

that is not a legal or political subdivision of this state.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.162, eff. Sept.

1, 1997.