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HomeMy WebLinkAbout17- (r ORDINANCE NO. 17 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS REGULATING TRAFFIC UPON THE PUBLIC STREETS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: ARTICLE ONE Definitions SECTION 9-101. Definitions of Words and Phrases. (a) The following words and phrases when used in this ordinance shall for the purpose of this ordinance have the meanings respectively to them ascribed in this article. (b) Whenever any words or phrases used in this ordinance are not defined herein, but are now defined in the Vehicle Code of this State, such definitions are incorporated herein and shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used herein as though set forth herein full. SECTION 9-102. 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 this city. SECTION 9-103. Official Traffic Control Devices. All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this ordi- nance placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic. SECTION 9-10 . Official Traffic Signals. Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and proceed and which is erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction. SECTION 9-105. Park. To stand or leave standing any vehicle, vhether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of aid while actually engaged in loading or unloading of passengers or materials. SECTION 9-106. Parkway. That portion of a street other than a roadway. SECTION 9-107. Pedestrian. Any person afoot. SECTION 9-108. Person. Every natural person, firm, co- partnership, association or corporation. SECTION 9=109. Police Officer. Every officer of the police department of this city, or any officer of the Sheriff's Department of Santa Clara County. SECTION 9-110. Stop. When required means complete cessation of movement. SECTION 9-111. Traffic. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, street cars and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes of travel. SECTION9-112. Fire Department. Fire Department means Los Altos Fire Protection District Department. Lr Q 4 J ARTICLE TWO Enforcement and Obedience to Traffic Regulations SECTION 9-111. Authority of Police and Fire Department Officials. a _-T--shall be the duty of the Chief of Police and Officers of the Sheriff's Department of Santa Clara County to en- force all street traffic laws of this city and all of the State vehicle laws applicable to street traffic in this city. (b) Such officers are hereby authorized to directell traffic by voice, hand or signal in conformance with traffic laws, provided that in the event of a fire or other emergency or to ex- pedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, officers 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 there- at or in the immediate vicinity. SECTION 9-1111. Required Obedience to Traffic Ordinance, It is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden,or fail to perform any act required in this ordinance. SECTION 9-115. Obedience to Police and Fire Department Officials. No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order of apolice officer or fire department official when directing traffic. SECTION -116. Persons Other than Officials shall not Direct Traffic. Except in an emergency, no person other than an officer of the police department or a person deputized by the Chief of Police or person authorized by law shall direct or attempt to direct traffic by voice, hand or other signal, provided that persons may operate when end as herein provided any mechanical pushbutton signal erected by order of the City Council. SECTION - 11 Public Employees to Obey Traffic Regula- tions. The—Prov sions of this ordinance shall tp ply to the driver of any vehicle owned by or used in the service of the United States Government, this State, any county or city and it shall be unlawful for any said driver to violate any of the provisions of this ordi- nance except as otherwise permitted in this ordinance or by State statute. SECTION 9-118. Exemptions to Certain Vehicles. (a) The Provisions of this ordinance regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of the police or fire department, any public ambulance or any public utility vehicle or any private ambulance, which public utility vehicle or private ambulance has qualified as an authorized emergency vehicle, when any vehicle menticme d in this section is operated in the manner specified in the Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call. (b)- The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of his willful disregard of the safety of others. (c) The provisions of this ordinance regulating the parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of a city de- partment or public utility while necessarily in use for construction or repair work or any vehicle owned by the United States while in use for the collection, transportation or delivery of United States Mail. SECTION 9-119. Persons propelling push carts or riding - 2 - animals to obey traffic regulations. Every person propelling any push cart or riding an animal -drawn vehicle, shall be subject to the provisions of this ordinance applicable to the driver of any vehicle, except those provisions of this ordinance which by their very nature can have no application. SECTIS7N 9-120. Use of coasters, roller skates, and similar devices restricted. No person upon roller skates or riding in or by means of 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 applicable to pedestrians. This &action shall not apply upon any street while set aside as a play street as authorized by ordinance of this city. ARTICLE THREE Accident Reporting SECTION 9-121. Report of Damage to Certain Property. (a) The driver of a vehicle or the person in charge of any animal involved in any accident resulting in damage to any property publicly owned or owned by a public utility, including but not limited to any fire hydrant, ornamental lighting post, telephone pole, electric light or power pole, or resulting in damage to any ornamental shade tree, traffic control device or other property of a like nature lo- cated in or along any street, shall within twenty-four (24) hours after such accident make a written report of such accident to the police department of this city. (b) Every such report shall state the time when and the place where the accident took place, the name and address of the person owning and of the person driving or in charge of such vehicle or animal, the license number of every such vehicle,and shall briefly describe the property damaged in such sceident. (c) A driver involved in an accident shall not be subject to the requirements or penalties of this section if and during the time such driver is physically incapable of making a report, but in such event said driver shall make a report as required in subdivision (a) within 24 hours after regaining ability to make such report. ARTICLE FOUR Traffic Study and Administration SECTION 9-122. The Chief of Police of the Town of Los Altos Hills shall have responsibility for the enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance under direction of the City Council. He shall confer with and have the cooperation of the Road Commis- sioner of the Town of Los Altos Hills and the City Engineer; he shall recommend to the City Council suggested regulations or ordinance pro- visions; he shall conduct the investigation of all accidents and the file thereof and embody in recommendation to the City Council any suggestions for remedial conditions as well as the establishment at sections of any highway of speed limit regulations, the proper signs thereof and of "Step" or "Yield Right of Way" at intersecting or merging streets and sig gest cross walks or other markers as designated. ARTICLE FIVE Miscellaneous Driving Rule s SECTION 9-123. Emerging from Alley or Roadway. The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley or roadway shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or into the sidewalk area extending across any alley way. - 3 - 400 Q 44 SECTION 9-124.. Driving Through Funeral Processions. No. driver of a vehicle shall drive between vehicles comprising a funeral procession while they are in motion and when the vehicles in such processions are conspicuously so designated. This provision shall not apply at intersections where traffic is controlled by traffic - control signals or police officers, SECTION .9-125. Drivers in a Procession. Each driver in a funeral or other procession shall drive as near to the right-hand edge of the roadway as practical and shall follow the vehicle ahead as close as is practical and safe. SECTION 9-126. Funeral processions 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 other method as may be determined and designated by the traffic division. SECTION 9-127. Clinging to Moving Vehicles. Any person riding upon any bicycle, motorcycle, coaster, roller skates or any toy vehicle shall not attach the same or himself to any street car or moving vehicle upon any roadway. SECTION 9-128. New Pavement. No person shall ride or driveany animal or any vehicle over or across any newly made pavement or freshly painted marking in any street when a barrier or sign is in place warning persons not to drive over or across such pavement or marking, or when a sign is in place stating that the street or any portion thereof is closed. SECTION9-129, 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 500 feet or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm. SECTION 9-140. Crossing Fire Hose. No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a fire department when laid down on any street, private driveway, to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the ,fire department official in command. SECTInet 9-131. Limitations on Backing. The driver of a vehicle shall back the same unless the movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic. SECTION 1.Riding on Motorcycles. A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat at- tached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motor- cycle is designated to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the operator. SECTION 9-133. Controlled Access. No person shall drive a vechle onto or from any controlled -access roadway except at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority. SECTION 9-13. Standing in Roadways. No person shall stand in any roadway other than in a safety zone or in a crosswalk if such action interferes with the lawful movement of traffic. This section shall not apply to any public officer or employee, or employee of a public utility when necessarily upon a street in line of duty. - 4 - 460 Q 44 ARTICLE SIX Stopping, Standing and Parking SECTION 9-135. Application of Regulations. (a) The pro- visions of this ordinance prohibiting the stopping, standing or park- ing of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device. SECTION 9-136. Parking for Certain Purposes Prohibited. No person shall park a vehicle upon any roadway for the principal purpose of displaying Such vehicle for sale. SECTION_9-137. No person shall park or stead any vehicle on any street of the Town of Los Altos Hills for the purpose of sale of any merchandise or articles therefrom. ARTICLE SEVEN Cross Walks and Safety Lanes SECTION 9-138. The Chief of Police is hereby authorized to designate and maintain, by appropriate devices, marks, or lines upon the surface of the roadway, cross walks at intersections wbere in his opinion there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing the roadway, and at such other places as he may deem necessary; also, to establish safety zones of such kind and character and at such places as he may deem necessary for the protection of pedestrians. SECTION 9-139. Traffic Lanes. The Chief of Police is here- by authorized to mark traffic lanes upon the roadway of any street or highway where a regular alignment 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 law- fully passing another vehicle or preparatory to making a lawful turn- ing movement. ARTICLE EIGHT Speed Regulations SECTION 9-140. The City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills hereby declares that it has made study and engineering analysis and concludes that 35 miles per hour is a proper maximum speed limit on all the roads and streets within the Town of Los Altos Hills be- cause of the narrow width of such roads and streets. Thirty-five (35) miles per hour is here established as a maximum speed limit on any road or street within the Town of Los Altos Hills& Any Regulation of a less speed in any area may be imposed by Resolution by the City Council and shall be indicated by signs at the start and at the end of such lesser speed limit zone. ARTICLE NINE Traffic Control Devices SECTION -lb.l. Display of unauthorized signs, signals, or marking. a) No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of the highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking, or device which purports to be or is in 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 inter- feres with the- effectiveness of any official traffic -control device or any railroad sign or signal. - 5 - Q 44 V (b) No person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising. (c) Every such prohibited sign, signal, or marking is here- by declared to be a public nuisance and the authority having juris- diction over the highway is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice. SEC'"ION -1 Interference with Official Traffic -Control Devices. o person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down, or remove any official traffic - control device or any inscription, shield, or insignia thereon, or any other part thereof. ARTICLE TEN. Turning Movements. SECTION 9-143. Authority to Place and Obedience to Turning Markers. The Chief of Police is auth*ized 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 pre- scribed by law or ordinance. SECTION 9 -hilt. 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. ARTICLE ELEVEN Regulation of Trucks SECTION 9-1L5. In accordance with the Vehicle Code of the State of California End in addition to the provisions thereof, all truck traffic in the Town of Los Altos Hills over the public streets and highways thereof, shall be subject to the following regulations; (a) Speed of trucks shall not exceed 25 miles per hour and in addition thereto shall not exceed 10 miles per hour on curves; (b) No truck shall be operated upon, nor parked except for an emergency and during the reasonable period necessitated thereby on the parking strip or shoulders of any street in the City; (c) No truck shall be operated on any street or public way in the Taw n of Los Altos Hills, which vehicle with load and including any tractor has a maximum gross weight of over 12 tons (24,000 lbs.). (d) There shall be excepted from the provisions of this subdivision of Ordinance No. 17 any vehicle subject to the provisions of Section 50-1/4 of the Public Utilities Act; also any vehicle owned by a public utility 1,hile necessarily in use in construction, instal- lation, or repair of any public utility; also any commercial vehicle coming from an unrestricted street having ingress and egress by direct route to and from a restricted street when necessary for the purpose of making pickups or deliveries of goods, wares and merchandise from any building; or structure located on any restricted street, or for the purpose of delivering materials to be used in the actual and bona fide repair, alteration, remodeling or construction of any buildi=g or structure upon such restricted street and for which a building permit has been previously obtained. - 6 - After the lengthy consideration of factors in the adoption of Ordinance No. 17, on motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, Ordinance No. 17 was amended by the addition of Bub -Section (e) of Section 9-145, to read as follows: (e) There shall be exempted, as hereinafter providad, from the weight limitation of this Ordinance trucks owned by or operated by contractors, which trucks are necessarily a material pant of contracts entered into prior to this date. Such exemption shall be obtained by filing with the City Clerk of the Town of Los Altos Hills within ten (10) days after the enactment of this Ordinance of any such existing contracts, with estimated termination date. The exemption shall continue until the completion of any such contract, with the proviso, however, that such exemption shall not in any case extend more than one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of the enactment of this Ordinance. ------ Dated June 13, 1956 City Clerk ttittrtiHHtiau�it-:rit CERTIFIED 4q f' ARTICLE TWELVE Effective SECTION 9-146. Severability. If any section, sub -section, clause, sentence or phrass of this Ordinance is for any reason held by a Court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this Ordi- nance. The City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section, sub -section, clause, sentence or phrase of this Ordinance irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, sub -sections, clauses, sentences or phrases thereof be declared invalid or Anconstitutional. ARTICLE THIRTEEN Penalty SECTION 9-147. Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the terms of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of Three Hundred Dollars ( 300.00) or imprison- ment in the jail facility as used by the Town of Los Altos Hills for thirty (30) days or by each such fine and imprisonment, each violation by any vehicle be a separate offense under this Ordinance and shall be punishable as such. ARTICLE FOURTEEN Procedure SECTION 9-11148. This Ordinance shall be posted in three (3) public places in the Town of Los Altos Hills and shall become effective thirty (30) days after its adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills this 20th day of June , 1956, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmen Bledsoe, Dungan, Fowls, Bothwell, Mayor Treat NOES: None ABSENT: None Tor ATTEST: City Clerk CERTIFI�4ED ( a a4 d - 7 -