It shall be the duty of the police officers
to enforce the provisions of these rules and orders. Police officers
are hereby authorized to direct all traffic, either in person or by
means of a visible or audible signal, in conformance with the provisions
of these rules and orders, provided that, in the event of a fire or
other emergency, to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers
of the Police or Fire Department may direct traffic as conditions
may require, notwithstanding the provisions of these rules and orders.
The police may close temporarily any street
or highway in an impending or existing emergency or for any lawful
assemblage, demonstration or procession, provided that there is reasonable
justification for the closing of such street.
The police may prohibit, temporarily, parking
on any street or highway, or part thereof, in an impending or existing
emergency or for a lawful assemblage, demonstration or procession,
provided that there is reasonable justification for such prohibition.
Vehicles parked in places where parking is prohibited temporarily
may be moved by or under the direction of an officer.
The provisions of these rules and orders shall
not apply to operators actually engaged in work upon a street or highway
closed to travel or under construction or repair, to officers when
engaged in the performance of public duties nor to drivers of emergency
vehicles while operating in an emergency and in performance of public
duties, when the nature of the work of any of these necessitates a
departure from any part of these rules and orders. These exemptions
shall not, however, protect the driver of any vehicle from the consequences
of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.