It shall be the duty of officers designated by the Chief of
Police to enforce the provisions of these rules and orders. Such officers
are hereby authorized to direct all traffic either in person or by
means of visible or audible signals 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 Chief of Police is hereby authorized to 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 Chief of Police is hereby authorized to 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 apply to the
operator of any vehicle owned by or used in the service of the United
States government, this state, county or Town, and it shall be unlawful
for any said operator to violate any of the provisions of these rules
and orders, except as otherwise provided by law.
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.
