[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.010]
This Title may be known and cited as the "Jefferson County Traffic
Code" and may be referred to as such when being amended and is also
referred to herein as the "code".
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.020]
The provisions of this code should apply to the part of Jefferson
County outside the incorporated Cities. Whenever the words "Jefferson County" or "County" are used
in this code with reference to applicability of its provisions, they
shall mean the areas described in this Section.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.025]
All regulations contained in this Traffic Code regarding traffic
control devices on State highways shall be with the concurrence of
the State Highway and Transportation Commission. The State Highway
and Transportation Commission is hereby authorized to post and install
all regulatory signs on State highways.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.030]
A.
It
is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to
perform any act required in this code.
B.
Every
person who is convicted of any misdemeanor under the provisions of
the Traffic Code shall, where no different punishment is prescribed,
be punished by imprisonment in the County Jail not exceeding one (1)
year or by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000.00),
or by both such fine and imprisonment.
[Ord. No. 18-0158, 2-28-2018]
C.
A judgment
establishing that a person has violated the code's provisions shall
not be deemed a conviction for a misdemeanor within the meaning of
Section 556.016, RSMo., as amended.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.040]
A.
The
Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and its deputies and the State
Highway Patrol shall enforce all traffic ordinances of this County
and shall have authority to make arrests for any violations of this
code.
B.
Deputies
of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department or such officers as are
duly and lawfully assigned by the Sheriff of Jefferson County are
hereby authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand or signal in
conformance with the traffic laws; provided that in the event of a
fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians,
such officers of the Sheriff's Department may direct traffic as conditions
may require notwithstanding the provisions of the traffic laws.
C.
Officers
of any City, Town or Village Fire Department or Fire Protection District
having the status of a political subdivision pursuant to the Statutes
of the State of Missouri, when at the scene of a incident, may direct
or assist the Law Enforcement Officers in directing traffic at such
scene or in the immediate vicinity.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.050]
No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any
lawful order or direction of any Law Enforcement Officer or Fire Department
official.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.060]
A.
The
provisions of this code shall apply to the driver of any vehicle owned
by or used in the service of the United States Government, this State,
County or municipalities and it shall be unlawful for any said driver
to violate any of the provisions of this code, except as otherwise
permitted in this code or State law.
B.
All
operators of Fire Department vehicles returning from fires or false
alarms or when on other non-emergency runs shall obey all provisions
of this code.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.070]
Every person propelling any pushcart or riding an animal upon
a highway, roadway, alleyway or driveway and every person driving
any animal-drawn vehicle shall be subject to the provisions of this
code applicable to the driver of any vehicle, except those provisions
of this code which by their very nature can have no application.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.080]
A.
The
provisions of this code regulating the operation, parking and standing
of vehicles shall apply to authorized emergency vehicles as defined
in this code, except that the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle,
when responding to an emergency call or when in pursuit of an actual
or suspected violator of the law or when responding to, but not upon
returning from, a fire alarm, but subject to the conditions herein
stated, may:
1.
Park and stand irrespective of the provisions of this code;
2.
Proceed past a red signal indication or stop sign but only after
slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
3.
Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger
life or property;
4.
Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning
in specified directions.
B.
The
exemption herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall
apply only when the driver of any such vehicle while in motion sounds
an audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably
necessary and when the vehicle displays at least one (1) lighted red
or blue beacon visible in normal atmospheric conditions for a distance
of five hundred (500) feet to the front of such vehicle.
C.
The
foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized
emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard to the safety
of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from
the consequences of the driver's reckless disregard for the safety
of others, nor shall such provision relieve the driver from the duty
of obeying the directions of a Law Enforcement Officer at the scene
of the emergency.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.090]
A.
The
County Highway Administrator's (hereinafter "Highway Administrator")
authority as it pertains to traffic control shall include, but not
be limited to, the following:
1.
Install regulatory traffic control devices in the case of emergency
or special conditions which the public peace, safety, convenience
and expedition of traffic may demand.
2.
Close any roadway, alleyway or driveway within Jefferson County and
withdraw the same from public use temporarily and during such period
as public work thereon or other public emergency or expediency shall
make such acts necessary. In conjunction with this authority, the
Highway Administrator shall place a sign at each end of the portion
of such roadway, alleyway or driveway withdrawn from public use. This
shall bear the legend "Road Closed".
3.
When it has been determined by the Highway Administrator that any
barrier, obstacle or plant material within the County right-of-way
adjacent to the roadway pavement is hazardous, the Highway Administrator
is authorized to remove said barrier or plant material from the right-of-way.
4.
The Highway Administrator is authorized to mount and install lamps
upon any part of any or all of the vehicles owned or operated by the
Jefferson County Department of Public Works, Highway Division, which
lamps, when lighted, display a flashing yellow or amber light visible
in any and all directions from such vehicle and to use such lamps
when such vehicle is being used in the performance of emergency services.
5.
The Highway Administrator has the sole authority to petition the
County Council with any recommended amendments to Sections and Schedules
within the Traffic Code that are based on performed traffic studies
or engineering determination.
[Ord. No. 18-0158, 2-28-2018]
6.
The Highway Administrator has the sole authority to petition the
County Council with any recommended additions to the County Road system
of publicly maintained roads and streets within unincorporated Jefferson
County, Missouri. Said petitions shall be evaluated on a performance-based
selection process that is defined by the Highway Administrator. Any
recommended additions to the existing system shall include a cost-benefit
analysis and become subject to budgetary limitations. Added facilities
to the County Road System must be included in Schedule III for traffic
control enforcements.
[Ord. No. 18-0158, 2-28-2018]
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.100]
A.
The
driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official
traffic control device applicable to the driver placed in accordance
with the provisions of this code, unless otherwise directed by a Law
Enforcement Officer. This Section is subject to the exceptions granted
the driver of any authorized emergency vehicle by this code.
B.
When
a traffic control signal is not operating due to mechanical failure
or other reasons, all traffic shall come to a complete stop before
proceeding through the intersection at which the non-operating signal
is stationed.
No provision of this Title for which official traffic control
devices are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator
if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official device
is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an
ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular Section does not
state that official traffic control devices are required, such Section
shall be effective even though no devices are erected or in place.
[Ord. No. 10-0269 §1, 7-7-2010]
A.
Except
when authorized or directed under State law to immediately take a
person before the Municipal Judge for the violation of any traffic
laws, a Police Officer who halts a person for such violation, other
than for the purpose of giving him/her a warning or warning notice
and does not take such person into custody under arrest, shall issue
to him/her a uniform traffic ticket which shall be proceeded upon
in accordance with Supreme Court Rule No. 37.
B.
Whenever
any motor vehicle without driver is found parked or stopped in violation
of any of the restrictions imposed by ordinance of the City or by
State law, the officer finding such vehicle shall take its registration
number and may take any other information displayed on the vehicle
which may identify its user, and shall conspicuously affix to such
vehicle a uniform traffic ticket or other citation for the driver
to answer to the charge against him/her within seven (7) days during
the hours and at a place specified in the traffic ticket.
C.
The
Jefferson County Sheriff's office shall provide, in quadruplicate,
suitable serially numbered forms for notifying violators to appear
and answer to charges of violating traffic laws and ordinances.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.130]
In the event any person fails to comply with a notice given
to the person or attached to a vehicle or fails to make appearance
pursuant to a summons directing an appearance in the Municipal Court
or Violations Bureau or if any person fails or refuses to deposit
bail as required and within the time permitted by ordinance, the Clerk
of the Associate Circuit Court or Violations Bureau shall forthwith
have a complaint entered against such person and secure and issue
a warrant for his/her arrest.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §101.140]
All traffic control devices on highways, roadways, alleyways
and driveways within Jefferson County shall conform to the "Manual
on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" published by the Federal Highway
Administration and its latest revisions. Copies of the manual are
on file in the office of the Jefferson County Department of Public
Works.
[Order of 5-2-2009 §103.010; Ord. No. 10-0269 §1,
7-7-2010]
The following words and phrases, as used in this code, shall
for the purpose of this code have the meaning respectively ascribed
to them:
The entire width and length of the public right-of-way and/or
easement of an alley.
That portion of an alley intended for use by the general
traveling public.
The standing or parking of any vehicle upon a highway, roadway
or alleyway in a manner where the longitudinal axis of the vehicle
forms an angle with the alignment of the curb.
Any road designated by the Jefferson County Council as part
of the County arterial road system authorized by Section 137.558,
RSMo.
Vehicles operated as ambulances or operated by the State Highway
Patrol, Police or Fire Department in Jefferson County, Missouri, Sheriff,
Deputy Sheriff, Jefferson County Emergency Services or Medical Examiner.
Publicly or privately owned vehicles operated in the performance
of emergency service by the Prosecuting Attorney, the Prosecuting
Attorney's full-time investigators or the two (2) deputy medical examiners
whom the Coroner has designated in writing to the Jefferson County
Sheriff's Department as being so authorized.
Any privately owned vehicle operated as an ambulance when responding
to emergency calls.
Any privately owned wrecker or tow truck or vehicles owned and
operated by a public utility or public service corporation while performing
emergency service.
Every device propelled by human power upon which any person
or persons may ride, having two (2) or more tandem wheels either of
which is twenty (20) or more inches in diameter.
A yellow line or lines delineating the separation between
travel lanes in opposite directions. It need not be at the geometrical
center of the pavement.
A motor vehicle designed or regularly used for carrying freight,
merchandise, supplies, tools or equipment.
Every highway or roadway or right-of-way thereof in respect
to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons having
no legal rights of access to, from, on or across the same except at
such points and in such manner as may be determined or designated
by the public authority having jurisdiction over such highway or roadway.
Chief officer of the County in all matters pertaining to
highways, roads, bridges and is responsible for all operations of
the County Highway Department.
Highway Division of the Department of Public Works.
Any roadway owned and maintained by the County Highway Department.
Said roads are open to use by the traveling general public.
Any pedestrian crossing indicated by lines or other markings
on the pavement or, when not marked at intersection, that portion
of a highway or roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation
or connection of curb and property lines.
Any person who drives, operates or is in any manner in actual
physical control of a vehicle.
A travel way privately used for access to and distribution
within a site, not including sidewalks.
A solid white line used to delineate the right edge of a
highway or roadway.
The total weight of a vehicle including the weight of any
carried cargo.
The traveling portion of a public right-of-way of a highway
intended for use by the general traveling public and maintained by
the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department.
The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the
lateral boundary lines or, if present, the lateral curb lines of two
(2) or more highways, roadways or alleyways, whether or not one (1)
such highway, roadway or alleyway crosses the other.
Where a highway or roadway includes two (2) roadways thirty
(30) or more feet apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such
divided highway or roadway by an intersecting highway or roadway shall
be regarded as a separate intersection.
A motor vehicle without current valid registration plates
and motor vehicle safety inspection certificates lawfully attached
to it or a motor vehicle which is wrecked, dismantled, inoperative,
abandoned or discarded.
Every officer of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department or any officer lawfully and duly authorized, deputized, assigned or called upon to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violation of traffic regulations or any Fire Department official acting pursuant to Section 300.040 of the Jefferson County Traffic Code.
Any self-propelled vehicle not operated exclusively on tracks.
A motor vehicle operated on two (2) or three (3) wheels whether
or not with a sidecar and excluding motorized bicycles.
Any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having an automatic
transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than
fifty (50) cubic centimeters, which produces less than three (3) gross
brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum
speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground.
That character of traffic violation where at the time of
violation the motor vehicle involved is in motion, except that the
term does not include the driving of a motor vehicle without a valid
motor vehicle registration license.
Any person actually in physical control of a vehicle.
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise
than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in
loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.
Any road open to use of the traveling general public, even
though not maintained or owned by the County.
Every roadway or driveway not open to the use of the general
traveling public.
The right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful
manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching
under such circumstances of direction, speed and proximity as to give
rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other;
A strip of land over which a highway, roadway or alleyway passes.
The entire width and length of the right-of-way or the easement
of a road, avenue or boulevard or similar item.
That portion of a road intended for use by the general traveling
public, typically delineated by curbs, edge lines or the edge of pavement.
A section of any highway or roadway where signs warn of the
presence of persons going to and returning from public or private
schools.
The portion of a road outside the roadway excluding sidewalks
at the same or near same grade as the adjoining roadway.
A paved area separate from the highway or roadway intended
for use by pedestrians.
The halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise
than for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or
discharging passengers.
When prohibited, any halting even momentarily of a vehicle,
whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with
other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a Police Officer
or traffic control sign or signal.
All highways and every roadway or portion thereof on which
vehicular traffic is given preferential right-of-way.
All official signs, signals, markings, intersection lighting
and devices not inconsistent with this code, placed by a public body
having authority to regulate, warn or guide traffic.
Any mechanical device on wheels in, upon or by which persons
or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, roadway
or alleyway or driveway, except devices moved by human power or used
exclusively upon rails or tracks.
