[Ord. No. 02-154 §1, 10-16-2002]
The provisions and prohibitions hereinafter contained and enacted
are in pursuance of and for the purpose of securing and promoting
the public health and general welfare of persons in the County of
St. Charles in their use of motorized scooters.
[Ord. No. 02-154 §2, 10-16-2002]
For purposes of this Chapter, the following term shall be defined
as follows:
Any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, is designed to
be stood upon by the operator, and is powered by a motor that is capable
of propelling the device with or without human propulsion at a speed
of not more than twenty-five (25) miles per hour.
[Ord. No. 02-154 §3, 10-16-2002]
A.
Every
motorized scooter operated upon any street or alley during darkness
shall be equipped with the following:
1.
A lamp
emitting a white light which while the motorized scooter is in motion
illuminates the street or alley in front of the operator and is visible
from a distance of three hundred (300) feet in front and from the
sides of the motorized scooter.
2.
A red
reflector on the rear that is visible from a distance of five hundred
(500) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams
of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
3.
A white
or yellow reflector on each side visible from the front and rear of
the motorized scooter from a distance of two hundred (200) feet.
[Ord. No. 02-154 §4, 10-16-2002]
A person operating a motorized scooter is not subject to the
provisions of this Code relating to vehicle registration and license
plate requirements, and for those purposes a motorized scooter is
not a motor vehicle.
[Ord. No. 02-154 §5, 10-16-2002]
A.
A motorized
scooter shall comply with one (1) of the following:
[Ord. No. 02-154 §6, 10-16-2002]
A.
Any person
operating a motorized scooter upon a street or alley shall ride as
close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the pavement
except under the following situations:
1.
When
preparing for a left turn, the operator shall stop and dismount as
close as practicable to the right-hand curb or right edge of the pavement
and complete the turn by crossing the street on foot; and
2.
When
reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including, but not limited
to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals,
surface hazards or substandard width lanes, which make it unsafe to
continue along the right-hand curb or right edge of the pavement.
[Ord. No. 02-154 §7, 10-16-2002]
A.
The operator
of a motorized scooter shall not do any of the following:
1.
Operate
a motorized scooter unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable
the operator to make a braked-wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement;
2.
Operate
a motorized scooter on a roadway with a speed limit in excess of twenty-five
(25) miles per hour unless it is operated in a designated bike lane;
3.
Operate
a motorized scooter on a sidewalk;
4.
Operate
a motorized scooter without wearing properly fitted and fastened helmet
or other headgear that meets the standards of the Missouri Director
of Revenue as provided for in Section 302.020.2, RSMo.;
5.
Operate
a motorized scooter with any passengers in addition to the operator;
6.
Operate
a motorized scooter carrying any package, bundle or article that prevents
the operator from keeping at least one (1) hand upon the handlebars;
7.
Operate
a motorized scooter with the handlebars raised so that the operator
must elevate his or her hands above the level of his or her shoulders
in order to grasp the normal steering grip area;
8.
Leave
a motorized scooter lying on its side on any sidewalk or park a motorized
scooter on a sidewalk in any other position so that there is not an
adequate path for pedestrian traffic;
9.
Attach
the motorized scooter or himself or herself while on the street or
alley, by any means, to any other vehicle on the street or alley;
10.
Operate
a motorized scooter at a speed in excess of fifteen (15) miles per
hour.
[Ord. No. 02-154 §8, 10-16-2002]
A.
Violation is a Moving Violation.
1.
Any
adult person violating any provision of this Chapter is guilty of
a moving violation. Any adult person violating a provision of this
Chapter shall be convicted of a moving violation and fined fifty dollars
($50.00) per incident.
2.
For
persons under the age of sixteen (16) years, a summons shall be served
upon the parent, guardian or adult person having custody or control
of said minor, setting forth the manner in which said minor violated
this Chapter and the liabilities for said parent, guardian or adult
person upon subsequent violations of this Chapter by the minor.
a.
Any
parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody
of a minor who violates this Section, after having been previously
warned of said violation as set out above, shall be fined twenty-five
dollars ($25.00) per incident engaged in by the minor.
b.
Any
parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody
of a minor who violates this Section after having been previously
charged and found guilty of violating this Section shall be fined
fifty dollars ($50.00) per incident engaged in by the minor. A separate
offense shall be deemed committed on each day a violation occurs or
continues.
[Ord. No. 02-154 §9, 10-16-2002]
A.
Criminal Prosecution. Violations of this Chapter may be
cited by issuance of a summons which shall be payable by return mail
to the County Department of Finance. Any summons not so paid shall
be the responsibility of the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney
for criminal prosecution.
B.
Civil Remedies. The office of the St. Charles County Counselor
shall be responsible for pursuing any and all available civil remedies
to ensure compliance with or enforce the provisions of this Chapter.
