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TITLE III.  TRAFFIC CODE


CHAPTER 300:  GENERAL PROVISIONS


SECTION 300.010: MODEL TRAFFIC CODE─ADOPTION AND EXCEPTIONS

Chapter 300, RSMo., consisting of Sections 300.010 through 300.600, as amended, commonly known as the "Model Traffic Ordinance" is hereby adopted as and for the traffic ordinance of this City with the exception of the following Sections:  300.010(40), 300.015, 300.020, 300.035, 300.070, 300.105.1(2) and 300.550.  All references to Traffic Division in the Model Traffic Ordinance are changed to read Police Department. All references to street cars have been deleted.


SECTION 300.020: DEFINITIONS

The following words and phrases when used in this Title mean:

ALLEY OR ALLEYWAY:  Any street with a roadway of less than twenty (20) feet in width.

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE:  Any motorized vehicle manufactured and used exclusively for off-highway use which is fifty (50) inches or less in width, with an unladen dry weight of six hundred (600) pounds or less, traveling on three (3), four (4) or more low pressure tires, with a seat designed to be straddled by the operator, and handlebars for steering control.

AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE:  A vehicle publicly owned and operated as an ambulance, or a vehi¬cle publicly owned and operated by the State Highway Patrol, Police, or Fire Department, Sheriff, Constable or Deputy Sheriff, Traffic Officer, or any privately owned vehicle operated as an ambulance when responding to emergency calls.

BUSINESS DISTRICT:  The territory contiguous to and including a high¬way when within any six hundred (600) feet along the highway there are build¬ings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks, or office buildings, railroad stations and public buildings which occupy at least three hundred (300) feet of frontage on one (1) side or three hundred (300) feet collectively on both sides of the highway.

CENTRAL BUSINESS (OR TRAFFIC) DISTRICT:  All streets and portions of streets within the area described by City ordinance as such.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE:  Every vehicle designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of property.

CONTROLLED ACCESS HIGHWAY:  Every highway, street or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other per¬sons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over the highway, street or roadway.

CROSSWALK:

1. That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connec¬tions of the lateral lines of 


§ 300.020 La Plata City Code § 300.020

the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs from the edges of the traversable roadway.

2. Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

CURB LOADING ZONE:  A space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.

DRIVER:  Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

FREIGHT CURB LOADING ZONE:  A space adjacent to a curb for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of freight (or passengers).

GOLF CART:  Any motorized or electric vehicle designed to be used for transporting persons and equipment while playing golf and designed primarily for off-street/road use.  Golf carts are typically sixty (60) inches or less in width and travel on three (3), four (4) or more low-pressure tires.  As used in this Section, the term "golf cart" shall include utility vehicles of similar construction.

HIGHWAY:  The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

INTERSECTION:

1. The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the road¬ways of two (2) highways which join one another at, or ap¬proximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon differ¬ent highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict; or

2. Where a highway includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided high¬way by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection.  In the event such intersecting highway also includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.

LANED ROADWAY:  A roadway which is divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.

MOTOR VEHICLE:  Any self-propelled vehicle not operated exclusively upon tracks, except farm tractors and motorized bicycles.

MOTORCYCLE:  Every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.

MOTORIZED BICYCLE:  Any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having an auto¬matic transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty (50) cubic centimeters, which produces less than three (3) gross brake horse¬power, and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground.

OFFICIAL TIME STANDARD:  Whenever certain hours are named herein they shall mean standard time or daylight-saving time as may be in current use in the City.


§ 300.020 General Provisions § 300.020

OFFICIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES:  All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this Title placed or erected by authori¬ty of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.

PARK OR PARKING:  The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.

PASSENGER CURB LOADING ZONE:  A place adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of pas¬sengers.

PEDESTRIAN:  Any person afoot.

PERSON:  Every natural person, firm, co-partnership, association or corpo¬ration.

POLICE OFFICER:  Every officer of the Municipal Police Department or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.

PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY:  Every way or place in private owner¬ship and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having ex¬press or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.

RAILROAD:  A carrier of persons or property upon cars operated upon stationary rails.

RAILROAD TRAIN:  A steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails.

RESIDENCE DISTRICT:  The territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district when the property on such highway for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or more is in the main im¬proved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.

RIGHT-OF-WAY:  The right of one (1) vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other.

ROADWAY:  That portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder.  In the event a highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways the term "road¬way" as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.

SAFETY ZONE:  The area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.

SIDEWALK:  That portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for use of pedestrians.

STAND OR STANDING:  The halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.

STOP:  When required, complete cessation from movement.


§ 300.020 La Plata City Code § 300.020

STOP OR STOPPING:  When prohibited, any halting even momentarily of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a Police Officer or traffic control sign or signal.

STREET OR HIGHWAY:  The entire width between the lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the uses of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.  "State Highway", a highway maintained by the State of Missouri as a part of the State Highway system.

THROUGH HIGHWAY:  Every highway or portion thereof on which vehic¬ular traffic is given preferential right-of-way, and at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required by law to yield right-of-way to vehicles on such through highway in obedience to either a stop sign or a yield sign, when such signs are erected as provid¬ed in this Title.

TRAFFIC:  Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for purposes of travel.

TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL:  Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.

VEHICLE:  Any mechanical device on wheels, designed primarily for use, or used, on highways, except motorized bicycles, vehicles propelled or drawn by horses or human power, or vehicles used exclusively on fixed rails or tracks, cotton trailers or motorized wheelchairs operated by handicapped persons.  (Ord. No. 07-961 §1, 8-22-08)





CHAPTER 305:  TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION


SECTION 305.010: RECORDS OF TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

A. The Police Department shall keep a record of all violations of the traffic ordinances of the City or of the State vehicle laws of which any person has been charged, to¬gether with a record of the final disposition of all such alleged offen¬ses.  Such record shall be so maintained as to show all types of violations and the total of each.  Said record shall accumulate during at least a five (5) year period and from that time on the record shall be maintained complete for at least the most recent five (5) year period.

B. All forms for records of violations and notices of violations shall be serially numbered.  For each month and year a written record shall be kept available to the public showing the disposal of all such forms.

C. All such records and reports shall be public records. 


SECTION 305.020: POLICE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE ACCIDENTS

It shall be the duty of the Police Department to investigate traffic accidents, to arrest and to assist in the prosecution of those persons charged with violations of law causing or contributing to such accidents.  


SECTION 305.030: TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORTS

The Police Department shall maintain a suitable system of filing traffic acci¬dent reports.  Accident reports or cards referring to them shall be filed alphabetically by location.  Such reports shall be available for the use and information of the City Traffic Engineer.   


SECTION 305.040: DRIVER FILES TO BE MAINTAINED

The Police Department shall maintain a suitable record of all traffic accidents, warnings, arrests, convictions, and complaints reported for each driver, which shall be filed alphabeti¬cally under the name of the driver concerned.  


SECTION 305.050: POLICE DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT ANNUAL TRAFFIC SAFETY
REPORT

The Police Department shall annually prepare a traffic report which shall be filed with the Mayor.  Such report shall contain information on traffic matters in the City as follows:

1. The number of traffic accidents, the number of persons killed, the number of persons injured, and other pertinent traffic accident data.

2. The number of traffic accidents investigated and other pertinent data on the safety activities of the Police.  

§ 305.050 La Plata City Code § 305.080

3. The plans and recommendations of the Police Department for future traffic safety activities.  


SECTION 305.060: POLICE DEPARTMENT TO DESIGNATE METHOD OF IDENTIFYING
FUNERAL PROCESSIONS
The Police Department shall designate a type of pennant or other identify¬ing insignia to be displayed upon, or other method to be employed to identify, the vehicles in funeral processions.  


SECTION 305.070: CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER

A. The office of City Traffic Engineer is established.  The Chief of Police shall serve as City Traffic Engineer in addition to his/her other functions, and shall exercise the powers and duties with respect to traffic as provided in this Title.  

B. The City Traffic Engineer shall determine the installation and proper timing and maintenance of traffic control devices, conduct engineering analyses of traffic accidents and devise remedial mea¬sures, conduct engineering investigation of traffic conditions, plan the operation of traffic on the streets and highways of the City, and cooperate with other City Officials in the development of ways and means to improve traffic conditions, and carry out the additional powers and duties imposed by ordinances of the City.  (CC 1984 §76.030; Ord. No. 850 §§1─3, 5-13-03)

Editor's Note─In the City election April 8, 2003, the voters elected to have an appointed Chief of Police as set out in Section 200.030 of this Code.


SECTION 305.080: EMERGENCY AND EXPERIMENTAL REGULATIONS

A. The City Traffic Engineer is hereby empowered to make regulations necessary to make effective the provisions of the traffic ordinances of the City and to make and enforce temporary or experimental regulations to cover emergencies or special conditions.  No such temporary or experimental regulation shall remain in effect for more than ninety (90) days.  

B. The City Traffic Engineer may test traffic control devices under actual conditions of traffic.  








CHAPTER 310:  ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE TO 
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS


SECTION 310.010: AUTHORITY OF POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS

A. It shall be the duty of the officers of the Police Department or such officers as are assigned by the Chief of Police to enforce all street traffic laws of the City and all of the State vehicle laws applicable to street traffic in the City.

B. Officers of the Police Department or such officers as are assigned by the Chief of Police are hereby authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand, or signal in conformance with traffic laws; provided that, in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, officers of the Police Depart¬ment may direct traffic as conditions may require notwithstanding the provisions of the traffic laws.

C. Officers of the Fire Department, when at the scene of a fire, may direct or assist the Police in directing traffic thereat or in the imme¬diate vicinity.  


SECTION 310.020: OBEDIENCE TO POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS

No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of a Police Officer or Fire Department Official.   


SECTION 310.030: PERSONS PROPELLING PUSH CARTS OR RIDING ANIMALS OR
DRIVING GOLF CARTS TO OBEY TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

Every person propelling any golf cart, push cart or riding an animal upon a road¬way, and every person driving any animal-drawn vehicle or golf cart, shall be subject to the provisions of this Title applicable to the driver of any vehicle, except those provisions of this Title which by their very nature can have no application.  (Ord. No. 786 §1, 7-17-01)


SECTION 310.040: USE OF COASTERS, ROLLER SKATES AND SIMILAR DEVICES
RESTRICTED

No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device, shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk and when so crossing such person shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties appli-cable to pedestrians.  This Section shall not apply upon any street while set aside as a play street as authorized by ordinance of the City.   


SECTION 310.050: PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO OBEY TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

The provisions of this Title shall apply to the driver of any vehicle owned by or used in the service of the United States Government, this State, County, or City and it shall be unlawful for any said driver to violate any of the provisions of this Title, except as otherwise permitted in this Title.   


§ 310.060 La Plata City Code § 310.080

SECTION 310.060: AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES

A. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this Sec¬tion, but subject to the conditions herein stated.

B. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:

1. Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this Title;

2. Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;

3. Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he/she does not en¬danger life or property; and

4. Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.

C. The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the driver of any said vehicle while in motion sounds audible signal by bell, siren, or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and when the vehicle is equipped with at least one (1) lighted lamp displaying a red light visible under normal atmo¬spheric conditions from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of such vehicle.

D. The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an author¬ized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his/her reckless disregard for the safety of others.  


SECTION 310.070: OPERATION OF VEHICLES ON APPROACH OF AUTHORIZED
EMERGENCY VEHICLES
A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of the laws of this State, or of a Police vehicle properly and lawful¬ly making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a Police Officer.

B. This Section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an author¬ized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.  


SECTION 310.080: SIRENS AND FLASHING LIGHTS EMERGENCY USE, PERSONS
AUTHORIZED─VIOLATION, PENALTY

Motor vehicles and equipment, not otherwise defined in this Title as an authorized emergency vehicle, which are operated by any member of an organized Fire Department, ambulance association, or rescue squad, whether paid or volunteer, may be operated on streets and highways in this City as an emergency vehicle under the provisions of Section 304.022, RSMo., while responding to a fire call or ambulance call or at the scene of a fire call or ambulance call and while using or sounding

§ 310.080 Enforcement And Obedience To Traffic Regulations § 310.120

a warning siren and while using or displaying thereon fixed, flashing or rotating blue lights, but sirens and blue lights shall be used only in bona fide emergencies.  Permits for the operation of such vehicles equipped with sirens or blue lights shall be in writing and shall be issued and may be revoked by the Chief of an organized Fire Department, organized ambulance association, or rescue squad and no person shall use or display a siren or rotating blue lights on a motor vehicle, fire, ambulance, or rescue equipment without a valid permit authorizing the use.  Permit to use a siren or lights as heretofore set out does not relieve the operator of the vehicle so equipped with complying with all other traffic laws and regulations.  Violation of this Section constitutes a misdemeanor.  


SECTION 310.090: IMMEDIATE NOTICE OF ACCIDENT

The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more to one (1) person shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of such accident to the Police Department if such accident occurs within the City.  


SECTION 310.100: WRITTEN REPORT OF ACCIDENT

The driver of a vehicle which is in any manner involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or more to one (1) person shall, within five (5) days after such accident, forward a written report of such accident to the Police Department.  The provisions of this Section shall not be applicable when the accident has been investi¬gated at the scene by a Police Officer while such driver was present thereat.  


SECTION 310.110: WHEN DRIVER UNABLE TO REPORT

A. Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of giving immediate notice of an accident as required in Section 310.090 and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident capa¬ble of doing so, such occupant shall give, or cause to be given, the notice not given by the driver.  

B. Whenever the driver is physically incapable of making a written report of an accident as required in Section 310.100 and such driver is not the owner of the vehicle, then the owner of the vehicle involved in such accident shall within five (5) days after the accident make such report not made by the driver.  


SECTION 310.120: PUBLIC INSPECTION OF REPORTS RELATING TO ACCIDENTS

A. All written reports made by persons involved in accidents or by garages shall be without prejudice to the individual so reporting and shall be for the confidential use of the Police Department or other governmental agencies having use for the records for accident pre¬vention purposes, except that the Police Department or other govern¬mental agency may disclose the identity of a person involved in an accident when such identity is not otherwise known or when such person denies his/her presence at such accident.


§ 310.120 La Plata City Code § 310.130

B. No written reports forwarded under the provisions of this Section shall be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of an accident except that the Police Department shall furnish upon demand of any party to such trial, or upon demand of any court, a certificate showing that a specified accident report has or has not been made to the Department in compliance with law, and if such report has been made, the date, time and location of the accident, the names and addresses of the drivers, the owners of the vehicles involved, and the investigating officers.  


SECTION 310.130: LEAVING THE SCENE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT

A. A person commits the offense of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident when being the operator or driver of a vehicle on the highways, streets or roads of the City or on any publicly or privately owned parking lot or parking facility, within the City, generally open for use by the public and knowing that an injury has been caused to a person or damage has been caused to property, due to his/her culpability or to accident, he/she leaves the place of the injury, damage or accident without stopping and giving his/her name, residence, including City and street number, motor vehicle number and driver's license number, if any, to the injured party or to a Police Officer, or if no Police Officer is in the vicinity, then to the nearest Police Station or judicial officer.
     
B. For the purposes of this Section, all Peace Officers shall have jurisdiction, when invited by an injured person, to enter the premises of any such privately owned parking lot or parking facility for the purpose of investigating an accident and performing all necessary duties regarding such accident.  








CHAPTER 315:  TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES


SECTION 315.010: AUTHORITY TO INSTALL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

The City Traffic Engineer shall place and maintain traffic control signs, signals, and devices when and as required under the traffic ordinances of the City to make effective the provisions of said ordinances, and may place and maintain such additional traffic control devices as he/she may deem neces¬sary to regulate traffic under the traffic ordinances of the City or under State law or to guide or warn traffic.  


SECTION 315.020: MANUAL AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

All traffic control signs, signals and devices shall conform to the manual and specifications approved by the State Highways and Transportation Commission or resolu¬tion adopted by the Board of Aldermen of the City.  All signs or signals re¬quired hereunder for a particular purpose shall so far as practicable be uniform as to type and location throughout the City.  All traffic control devices so erected and not inconsistent with the provisions of this Title shall be official traffic control devices. 


SECTION 315.030: OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with the provisions of this Title, unless otherwise directed by a traffic or Police Officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in this Title.  


SECTION 315.040: WHEN OFFICIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES REQUIRED FOR
ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES

No provision of this Title for which official traffic control devices are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person.  Whenever a particular Section does not state that official traffic control devices are required, such Section shall be effective even though no devices are erected or in place.  


SECTION 315.050: OFFICIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES─PRESUMPTION OF
LEGALITY

A. Whenever official traffic control devices are placed in position approx¬imately conforming to the requirements of this Title, such devices shall be presumed to have been so placed by the official act or direc¬tion of lawful authority, unless the contrary shall be estab¬lished by competent evidence.

B. Any official traffic control device placed pursuant to the provisions of this Title and purporting to conform to the lawful requirements per¬taining to such devices shall be presumed to comply with the require¬ments of this Title, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.  




§ 315.060 La Plata City Code § 315.060

SECTION 315.060: TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL LEGEND─RIGHT TURN ON RED
LIGHT, WHEN

Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting differ¬ent colored lights, or colored lighted arrows, successively one (1) at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red and yellow shall be used except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and said lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:

1. Green indication.

a. Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn.  But vehicular traffic, in¬cluding vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.

b. Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indi¬cations shown at the same time.  Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adja¬cent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersec¬tion.

c. Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in Section 315.070, pedestrians facing any green sig¬nal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

2. Steady yellow indication.

a. Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection.

b. Pedestrians facing a steady yellow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in Section 315.070 are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway.

3. Steady red indication.

a. Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersec¬tion or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown except as provided in Paragraph (b) of this Subsection.

b. The driver of a vehicle which is stopped as close as practicable at the entrance to the crosswalk on the near side of the inter¬section or, if none, then at the entrance to the intersec¬tion in obedience to a red signal, may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn but shall yield the right-of-way to pedes¬trians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that the State Highways and Transportation Commission with reference to an intersection involving a State highway, and local authorities with reference to an intersection involving other highways under their juris¬diction, may prohibit any such right turn against a red signal at any intersection where

§ 315.060 Traffic Control Devices § 315.090

safety condi¬tions so require, said prohibition shall be effective when a sign is erected at such intersection giving notice thereof.

c. Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in Section 315.070, pedestrians facing a steady red signal alone shall not enter the roadway.

4. In the event an official traffic control signal is erected and main¬tained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this Section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.  Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.  


SECTION 315.070: PEDESTRIAN CONTROL SIGNALS

Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't Walk" are in place such signals shall indicate as follows:

1. "WALK":  Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.

2. "WAIT" or "DON'T WALK":  No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his/her crossing on the walk signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone while the wait signal is showing.  


SECTION 315.080: FLASHING SIGNALS

A. Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:

1. Flashing red (stop signal), when a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked, or if none, then before entering the inter¬section, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

2. Flashing yellow (caution signal), when a yellow lens is illumi¬nated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution.

B. This Section shall not apply at railroad grade crossings.  Conduct of drivers of vehicles approaching railroad grade crossings shall be governed by the rules as set forth in Section 335.090 of this Title. 


SECTION 315.090: LANE DIRECTION CONTROL SIGNALS

When lane direction control signals are placed over the individual lanes of a street or highway, vehicular traffic may travel in any lane over which a green signal is shown, but shall not enter or travel in any lane over which a red signal is shown.  




§ 315.100 La Plata City Code § 315.150

SECTION 315.100: DISPLAY OF UNAUTHORIZED SIGNS, SIGNALS OR MARKINGS

No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any high¬way an unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal.  


SECTION 315.110: INTERFERENCE WITH OFFICIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES OR
RAILROAD SIGNS OR SIGNALS

No person shall without lawful authority, attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield or insignia thereon, or any other part thereof.  


SECTION 315.120: AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH PLAY STREETS

The City Traffic Engineer shall have authority to declare any street or part thereof a play street and to place appropriate signs or devices in the roadway indicating and helping to protect the same.  


SECTION 315.130: PLAY STREETS

Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating any street or part there¬of as a play street, no person shall drive a vehicle upon any such street or portion thereof except drivers of vehicles having business or whose residences are within such closed area, and then any said driver shall exercise the greatest care in driving upon any such street or portion thereof.  


SECTION 315.140: CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER TO DESIGNATE CROSSWALKS AND
ESTABLISH SAFETY ZONES

The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized:

1. To designate and maintain, by appropriate devices, marks, or lines upon the surface of the roadway, crosswalks at intersections where in his/her opinion there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing the roadway, and at such other places as he/she may deem necessary.

2. To establish safety zones of such kind and character and at such places as he/she may deem necessary for the protection of pedestrians.   


SECTION 315.150: TRAFFIC LANES

A. The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to mark traffic lanes upon the roadway of any street or highway where a regular align¬ment of traffic is necessary.

B. Where such traffic lanes have been marked, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to fail or refuse to keep such vehicle within the boundaries of any such lane except when lawfully pass¬ing another vehicle or preparatory to making a lawful turning movement.   



CHAPTER 320:  SPEED REGULATIONS


SECTION 320.010: STATE SPEED LAWS APPLICABLE

The State traffic laws regulating the speed of vehicles shall be applicable upon all streets within the City, except that the City may by ordi¬nance declare and determine upon the basis of engineering and traffic investi¬gation that certain speed regulations shall be applicable upon speci-fied streets or in certain areas, in which event it shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle at a speed in excess of any speed so de¬clared when signs are in place giving notice thereof, but no City ordi¬nance shall regulate the speed of vehicles upon controlled access highways of the State.  


SECTION 320.020: REGULATION OF SPEED BY TRAFFIC SIGNALS

The City Traffic Engineer is authorized to regulate the timing of traffic signals so as to permit the movement of traffic in an orderly and safe manner at speeds slightly at variance from the speeds otherwise applicable within the district or at intersections and shall erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof.  


SECTION 320.030: GENERAL SPEED LIMIT

Except where otherwise provided by signs erected pursuant to duly passed and approved ordinances, no person shall operate a vehicle on any street in the City in excess of twenty-five (25) miles per hour.  (CC 1984 §76.110)


SECTION 320.040: SLOW SPEED, REGULATIONS

No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.  Peace Officers may enforce the provisions of this Section by directions to drivers, and in the event of apparent willful disobedience to this provision and refusal to comply with direction of an officer in accordance herewith, the continued slow operation by a driver is a misdemeanor.  

SECTION 320.050: SPECIAL SPEED LIMITS ON ROADWAYS

No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon those portions of the roadways which are set forth and described in Schedule I at a rate of speed in excess of that speed limit set for such portions of the roadways by said Schedule.  








CHAPTER 325:  TURNING MOVEMENTS


SECTION 325.010: REQUIRED POSITION AND METHOD OF TURNING AT
INTERSECTION

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:

1. Right turns.  Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

2. Left turns on two-way roadways.  At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right-half of the roadway nearest the centerline thereof and by passing to the right of such centerline where it enters the inter¬section and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the centerline of the roadway being entered.  Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.

3. Left turns on other than two-way roadways.  At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one (1) direction on one (1) or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direc-tion upon the roadway being entered.  


SECTION 325.020: AUTHORITY TO PLACE AND OBEDIENCE TO TURNING MARKERS

A. The City Traffic Engineer is authorized to place markers, buttons, or signs within or adjacent to intersections indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning at such intersections, and such course to be traveled as so indicated may conform to or be other than as prescribed by law or ordinance.

B. When authorized markers, buttons, or other indications are placed within an intersection indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning thereat, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of such indications.  


SECTION 325.030: AUTHORITY TO PLACE RESTRICTED TURN SIGNS

The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to determine those inter¬sections at which drivers of vehicles shall not make a right, left or U-turn, and shall place proper signs at such intersections.  The making of such turns may be prohibited between certain hours of any day and per¬mitted at other hours, in which event the same shall be plainly indicated on the signs or they may be removed when such turns are permitted.   



§ 325.040 La Plata City Code § 325.050

SECTION 325.040: OBEDIENCE TO NO-TURN SIGNS

Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of any such sign.  


SECTION 325.050: LIMITATIONS ON TURNING AROUND

The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any street in a business district and shall not upon any other street so turn a vehicle unless such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.  




CHAPTER 330:  ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS


SECTION 330.010: AUTHORITY TO SIGN ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS

Whenever any ordinance of the City designates any one-way street or alley the City Traffic Engineer shall place and maintain signs giving notice thereof, and no such regulation shall be effective unless such signs are in place.  Signs indicating the direction of lawful traffic movement shall be placed at every intersection where movement of traffic in the opposite direction is prohibited.   


SECTION 330.020: ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS

Upon those streets and parts of streets and in those alleys described and designated by ordinance, vehicular traffic shall move only in the indicated direction when signs indicating the direction of traffic are erected and maintained at every intersection where movement in the opposite direction is prohibited.  


SECTION 330.030: AUTHORITY TO RESTRICT DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT ON
STREETS DURING CERTAIN PERIODS

A. The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to determine and designate streets, parts of streets or specific lanes thereon upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one (1) direction during one (1) period and the opposite direction during another period of the day and shall place and maintain appropriate markings, signs, barriers or other devices to give notice thereof.  The City Traffic Engineer may erect signs temporarily designating lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the centerline of the roadway.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle in viola¬tion of such markings, signs, barriers or other devices so placed in accordance with this Section.   








CHAPTER 335:  STOP AND YIELD INTERSECTIONS, RAILROAD 
CROSSINGS

SECTION 335.010: THROUGH STREETS DESIGNATED

Those streets and parts of streets described by ordinances of the City are declared to be through streets for the purposes of Sections 335.010 to 335.090.  


SECTION 335.020: SIGNS REQUIRED AT THROUGH STREETS

Whenever any ordinance of the City designates and describes a through street it shall be the duty of the City Traffic Engineer to place and main¬tain a stop sign, or on the basis of an engineering and traffic investi¬ga¬tion at any intersection a yield sign, on each and every street inter¬sect¬ing such through street unless traffic at any such intersection is con¬trolled at all times by traffic control signals; provided however, that at the intersection of two (2) such through streets or at the intersection of a through street and a heavy traffic street not so designated, stop signs shall be erected at the approaches of either of said streets as may be determined by the City Traffic Engineer upon the basis of an engineer¬ing and traffic study.  


SECTION 335.030: OTHER INTERSECTIONS WHERE STOP OR YIELD REQUIRED

The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to determine and desig¬nate intersections where particular hazard exists upon other than through streets and to determine whether vehicles shall stop at one (1) or more en¬trances to any such intersection in which event he/she shall cause to be erected a stop sign at every such place where a stop is required, or whether vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles on a different street at such intersection as prescribed in Subsection (A) of Section 335.040, in which event he/she shall cause to be erected a yield sign at every place where obedience thereto is required.  


SECTION 335.040: STOP AND YIELD SIGNS

A. The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign if required for safety to stop shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.

B. Except when directed to proceed by a Police Officer or traffic control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop inter¬section indicated by a stop sign shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no cross¬walk, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before enter¬ing the intersection. 


SECTION 335.050: VEHICLE ENTERING STOP INTERSECTION

Except when directed to proceed by a Police Officer or traffic control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicat¬ed by a stop sign shall stop as required by Subsection (B) of Section 335.040, and after having stopped shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which

§ 335.050 La Plata City Code § 335.090

has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when such driver is moving across or within the intersection.  


SECTION 335.060: VEHICLE ENTERING YIELD INTERSECTION

The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to such sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection; provided however, that if such a driver is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection, after driving past a yield sign without stopping, such collision shall be deemed prima facie evi¬dence of his/her failure to yield right-of-way.  


SECTION 335.070: EMERGING FROM ALLEY, DRIVEWAY OR BUILDING

The driver of a vehicle within a business or residence district emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, and shall yield the right-of-way to any pedes¬trian as may be necessary to avoid collision, and upon entering the road¬way shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said road¬way.  


SECTION 335.080: STOP WHEN TRAFFIC OBSTRUCTED

No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he/she is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed.  


SECTION 335.090: OBEDIENCE TO SIGNAL INDICATING APPROACH OF TRAIN

A. Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this Section, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within fifty (50) feet, but not less than fifteen (15) feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he/she can do so safely.  The foregoing requirements shall apply when:

1. A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warn¬ing of the immediate approach of a railroad train;

2. A crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train; or

3. An approaching railroad train is plainly visible and is in hazard¬ous proximity to such crossing.

B. No person shall drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.  



CHAPTER 340:  MISCELLANEOUS DRIVING RULES


SECTION 340.010: FOLLOWING FIRE APPARATUS PROHIBITED

The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred (500) feet or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.  


SECTION 340.020: CROSSING FIRE HOSE

No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a Fire Depart¬ment when laid down on any street or private driveway to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the Fire Depart¬ment Official in command.  


SECTION 340.030: DRIVING THROUGH FUNERAL OR OTHER PROCESSION

No driver of a vehicle shall drive between the vehicles comprising a funer¬al or other authorized procession while they are in motion and when such vehicles are conspicuously designated as required in this Title.  This provision shall not apply at intersections where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or Police Officers.  


SECTION 340.040: DRIVING IN PROCESSION

Each driver in a funeral or other procession shall drive as near to the right-hand edge of the roadway as practicable and shall follow the vehicle ahead as close as is practicable and safe.  


SECTION 340.050: FUNERAL PROCESSION TO BE IDENTIFIED

A funeral composed of a procession of vehicles shall be identified as such by the display upon the outside of each vehicle of a pennant or other identifying insignia or by such o