City of Centralia, MO Article II Rules of the Road [1]

[1] Cross Reference — As to bicycle riders, see § 18-61.

Section 18-26 Vehicles in operation to be driven on right half of roadway. [1]

[Ord. No. 437 § 21, 12-4-1950; Ord. No. 1622 § 12, 6-17-1991]

Vehicles on City streets shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except:

1. When passing another vehicle in a lawful manner;

2. Making a left hand turn in a lawful manner;

3. When the right half of the roadway is closed to traffic; or

4. When the street is a one-way street.

[1] State Law Reference — Requiring same, see RSMo., § 304.015(2).

Cross Reference — As to passing regulations, see § 18-29.

Section 18-27 Duty of driver on meeting approaching vehicle. [1]

[Ord. No. 437 § 22, 12-4-1950]

An operator or driver meeting another vehicle coming from the opposite direction on the same highway shall turn to the right of the center of the highway so as to pass without interference.

[1] State Law Reference — See RSMo., § 304.015.5(5).

Section 18-28 Rounding curves.

[Ord. No. 437 § 23, 12-4-1950]

An operator or driver in rounding curves shall reduce speed and shall keep his vehicle as far to the right of the highway as reasonably possible.

Section 18-29 Overtaking and passing another vehicle — driving on right and left hand sides of roadway — when prohibited and allowed. [1]

[Ord. No. 437 § 24, 12-4-1950; Ord. No. 1622 § 13, 6-17-1991; Ord. No. 1791 § 1, 4-18-1994]

A. A driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the overtaken vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

B. No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center line of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction of any vehicle overtaken.

C. No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:

1. When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve of the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction;

2. When the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred (100) feet of any bridge; and

3. When approaching within one hundred (100) feet of or at any intersection or railroad grade crossing.

D. No driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle except when the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn or except upon a one-way street. Passing on the right, when permitted, may be done only when such movement may be done in safety and in no event shall such movement be made by driving off the paved or main traveled portion of the roadway.

[1] State Law Reference — As to passing vehicle moving in same direction, see RSMo., § 304.016.

Cross Reference — As to vehicle in operation using right half of road, see § 18-26. As to passing school bus, see § 18-16.

Section 18-30 Hand signals and signal lights for stopping, slowing and turning. [1]

[Ord. No. 437 §§ 27 — 29, 12-4-1950; Ord. No. 619 § 8, 1-6-1958]

No person shall stop, or suddenly decrease the speed of, or turn a vehicle from a direct course, or move right or left upon a roadway, unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein.

A. An operator or driver when stopping, or when checking the speed of his vehicle, if the movement of other vehicles may reasonably be affected by such checking of speed, shall extend his arm at an angle below horizontal, so that the same may be seen in the rear of his vehicle.

B. An operator or driver intending to turn his vehicle to the right shall extend his arm at an angle above horizontal, so that the same may be seen in front of and in the rear of his vehicle, and shall slow down and approach the intersecting highway as near as practicable to the right side of the highway along which he is proceeding before turning.

C. An operator or driver intending to turn his vehicle to the left shall extend his arm in a horizontal position, so that the same may be seen in the rear of his vehicle, and shall slow down and approach the intersecting highway so that the left side of his vehicle shall be as near as practicable to the center line of the highway along which he is proceeding before turning.

D. The signals herein required shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by a signal light or signal device in good mechanical condition of a type approved by the State Highway Patrol. However, when a vehicle is so constructed or loaded that a hand and arm signal would not be visible both to the front and rear of such vehicle, then such signals shall be given by such light or device.

[1] State Law Reference — See RSMo., § 304.019.

Cross Reference — As to brake equipment, see § 18-39.

Section 18-31 Right-of-way at intersections without traffic control devices. [1]

[Ord. No. 928 § 4, 2-11-1970]

At intersections where there are no traffic control devices:

A. The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different street.

B. When two (2) vehicles enter an intersection from different streets at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of the vehicle on the right. This Subsection shall not apply to vehicles approaching each other from opposite directions when the driver of one (1) of such vehicles is attempting to, or is, making a left turn.

C. The driver of a vehicle within an intersection, intending to turn to the left, shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.

D. The driver of any vehicle about to enter or cross a road or street from an alley or any private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on such road or street.

E. The driver of a vehicle intending to make a left turn into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, when the making of such left turn would create a traffic hazard.

[1] State Law Reference — For similar provisions, see RSMo., § 304.351. As to vehicles entering stop intersection, see RSMo., § 300.275. As to emerging from alley, see RSMo., § 300.285.

Section 18-32 Following too closely. [1]

[Ord. No. 1622 § 14, 6-17-1991]

The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonably safe and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and the conditions of the roadway.

[1] State Law Reference — For similar provisions, see RSMo., § 304.017.