The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any emergency vehicle traveling in response to an emergency call closer than five hundred (500) feet or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a Fire Department when laid down on any street, private driveway or streetcar track, to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the Fire Department official in command.
A. 
Definitions. As used in this Section, the following terms shall mean:
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
A person licensed as a funeral director pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 333, RSMo.
FUNERAL LEAD VEHICLE OR LEAD VEHICLE
Any motor vehicle equipped with at least one (1) lighted circulating lamp exhibiting an amber or purple light or lens or alternating flashing headlamps visible under normal atmospheric conditions for a distance of five hundred (500) feet from the front of the vehicle. A hearse or coach properly equipped may be a lead vehicle.
ORGANIZED FUNERAL PROCESSION
Two (2) or more vehicles accompanying the remains of a deceased person from a funeral establishment, church, synagogue or other place where a funeral service has taken place to a cemetery, crematory or other place of final disposition or a funeral establishment, church, synagogue or other place where additional funeral services will be performed if directed by a licensed funeral director from a licensed establishment.
B. 
Driving Rules.
1. 
Except as otherwise provided for in this Section, pedestrians and operators of all other vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which is a part of an organized funeral procession.
2. 
Notwithstanding any traffic control device or right-of-way provision prescribed by State or local law, when the funeral lead vehicle in an organized funeral procession lawfully enters an intersection, all vehicles in the procession shall follow the lead vehicle through the intersection. The operator of each vehicle in the procession shall exercise the highest degree of care toward any other vehicle or pedestrian on the roadway.
3. 
An organized funeral procession shall have the right-of-way at all intersections regardless of any traffic control device at such intersections, except that operators of vehicles in an organized funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way to any approaching emergency vehicle pursuant to the provisions of law or when directed to do so by a Law Enforcement Officer.
4. 
All vehicles in an organized funeral procession shall follow the preceding vehicle in the procession as closely as is practical and safe under the conditions.
5. 
No person shall operate any vehicle as part of an organized funeral procession without the flashing emergency lights of such vehicle being lighted.
6. 
Any person who is not an operator of a vehicle in an organized funeral procession shall not:
a. 
Drive between the vehicles comprising an organized funeral procession while such vehicles are in motion and have the flashing emergency lights lighted pursuant to Subsection (B)(5) above, except when required to do so by a Law Enforcement Officer or when such person is operating an emergency vehicle giving an audible or visual signal;
b. 
Join a funeral procession for the purpose of securing the right-of-way; or
c. 
Attempt to pass any vehicle in an organized funeral procession, except where a passing lane has been specifically provided.
7. 
When an organized funeral procession is proceeding through a red signal light as permitted herein, a vehicle not in the organized funeral procession shall not enter the intersection unless such vehicle may do so without crossing the path of the funeral procession.
8. 
No ordinance, regulation or any other provision of law shall prohibit the use of a motorcycle utilizing flashing amber lights to escort an organized funeral procession on the highway.
C. 
Any person convicted of violating any provision of this Section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Each driver in a procession shall drive as near to the right-hand edge of the roadway as practicable and shall follow the vehicle ahead as close as is practicable and safe.
[CC 1970 §18-36; Ord. No. 621 §90, 11-5-1962]
No procession or parade containing twenty-five (25) or more persons or twenty-five (25) or more vehicles except the forces of the United States Army or Navy, the military forces of this State and the forces of the Police and Fire Departments, shall occupy, march or proceed along any street except in accordance with a permit issued by the Chief of Police and such other regulations as are set forth herein which may apply.
The driver of a vehicle shall not drive within any sidewalk area except on a permanent or temporary driveway.
The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic.
No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a motor vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
A. 
A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one (1) person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two (2) persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the operator.
B. 
The operator of a motorized bicycle shall ride only astride the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and shall not permit more than one (1) person to ride thereon at the same time, unless the motorized bicycle is designed to carry more than one (1) person. Any motorized bicycle designed to carry more than one (1) person must be equipped with a passenger seat and footrests for the use of a passenger.
A. 
No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district.
B. 
Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
C. 
No person shall ride a motorized bicycle upon a sidewalk.
A. 
No person shall operate an all-terrain vehicle, as defined in Section 300.010, upon the streets and highways of this City, except as follows:
1. 
All-terrain vehicles owned and operated by a Governmental entity for official use; or
2. 
All-terrain vehicles operated for agricultural purposes or industrial on-premise purposes between the official sunrise and sunset on the day of operation.
B. 
No person shall operate an off-road vehicle, as defined in Section 304.001, RSMo., within any stream or river in this City, except that off-road vehicles may be operated within waterways which flow within the boundaries of land which an off-road vehicle operator owns, or for agricultural purposes within the boundaries of land which an off-road vehicle operator owns or has permission to be upon, or for the purpose of fording such stream or river of this State at such road crossings as are customary or part of the highway system. All Law Enforcement Officials or Peace Officers of this State and its political subdivisions shall enforce the provisions of this Subsection within the geographic area of their jurisdiction.
C. 
A person operating an all-terrain vehicle on a street or highway pursuant to an exception covered in this Section shall have a valid operator's or chauffeur's license, but shall not be required to have passed an examination for the operation of a motorcycle, and the vehicle shall be operated at speeds of less than thirty (30) miles per hour. When operated on a street or highway, an all-terrain vehicle shall have a bicycle safety flag, which extends not less than seven (7) feet above the ground, attached to the rear of the vehicle. The bicycle safety flag shall be triangular in shape with an area of not less than thirty (30) square inches and shall be dayglow in color.
D. 
No person shall operate an all-terrain vehicle:
1. 
In any careless way so as to endanger the person or property of another;
2. 
While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance; or
3. 
Without a securely fastened safety helmet on the head of an individual who operates an all-terrain vehicle or who is being towed or otherwise propelled by an all-terrain vehicle, unless the individual is at least eighteen (18) years of age.
E. 
No operator of an all-terrain vehicle shall carry a passenger, except for agricultural purposes.
F. 
A violation of this Section shall be a misdemeanor.
[Ord. No. 2042, 7-18-2023]
A. 
Definitions. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
GOLF CARTS
A small, battery-powered or motorized, three (3) or four (4) wheel motor vehicle meeting the requirements of Section 304.034, RSMo., that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and is not capable of exceeding speeds of twenty (20) mph.
LOW-SPEED VEHICLES
A small three (3) or four (4) wheel motor vehicle, with gross vehicle weight rating of less than three thousand (3,000) pounds with minimum speeds of twenty (20) mph and maximum speeds of twenty-five (25) mph, and otherwise meeting the requirements of Section 304.029, RSMo., and the requirements of 49 CFR 571.500 and 571.3.
B. 
Golf Cart Regulations.
1. 
No golf cart shall be operated upon any State highway, and no golf cart shall be operated upon a City street with a posted speed limit greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour; provided, however, that this shall not prohibit a golf cart operator otherwise meeting all applicable requirements from crossing the golf cart at an intersection of any State highway or a City street with a posted speed limit greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour so long as the posted speed limit of the State highway or City street at the point of crossing is not greater than forty-five (45) miles per hour.
2. 
Golf carts operated on City streets shall be equipped with adequate brakes, two (2) headlights and two (2) tail/brake lights.
3. 
Each person operating a golf cart on City streets shall possess a valid driver's license.
4. 
The golf cart shall be insured for liability coverage for operation of the golf cart upon a City street, alley or highway. Proof of such financial responsibility and insurance coverage shall be carried at all times in the insured golf cart or by the operator of the golf cart, and shall be produced upon demand by any Police Officer who lawfully stops such golf cart operator. However, no person shall be found guilty of failing to produce proof of financial responsibility if the operator demonstrates to the court that he or she met the financial responsibility requirements of this Section at the time the Police Officer wrote the citation.
5. 
No person shall ride on or operate a golf cart upon any sidewalk within the City, with the exception of paved sidewalks accessing City parks, or within the boundaries of a City park except in designated parking areas.
6. 
The golf cart shall be operated primarily for non-commercial purposes.
7. 
The golf cart operator and any passengers in the golf cart shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt, provided the golf cart is equipped with such a safety belt for the operator and/or said passengers, unless any such person has a medical reason for failing to have a safety belt fastened about his or her body.
8. 
Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the golf cart operator shall observe all State traffic law and City ordinance provisions regarding the rules of the road while operating the golf cart upon a City street, State highway or alley.
9. 
No person shall operate a golf cart on a City street, State highway or alley in the following manner(s):
a. 
In a careless manner, which may endanger the property or safety of themselves or any other; or
b. 
While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.
C. 
Low-Speed Vehicle Regulations.
1. 
The operator of a low-speed vehicle shall observe all traffic laws and local ordinances regarding the rules of the road.
2. 
Each person operating a low-speed vehicle on City streets shall possess a valid driver's license.
3. 
The low-speed vehicle shall be insured for liability coverage for operation of the low-speed vehicle upon a City street, alley or highway. Proof of such financial responsibility and insurance coverage shall be carried at all times in the insured low-speed vehicle or by the operator of the low-speed vehicle, and shall be produced upon demand by any Police Officer who lawfully stops such low-speed vehicle operator. However, no person shall be found guilty of failing to produce proof of financial responsibility if the operator demonstrates to the court that he or she met the financial responsibility requirements of this Section at the time the Police Officer wrote the citation.
4. 
A low-speed vehicle shall not be operated on a City street with a posted speed limit greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour. The provisions of this Subsection shall not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour so long as the posted speed limit of the street or highway at the point of crossing is not greater than forty-five (45) miles per hour.
5. 
A low-speed vehicle shall be exempt from the requirements of Sections 307.350 to 307.402, RSMo., for purposes of titling and registration. Low-speed vehicles shall comply with the standards in 49 CFR 571.3 and 571.500.
6. 
All low-speed vehicles shall be manufactured in compliance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards for low-speed vehicles in 49 CFR 571.3 and 571.500.
7. 
No person shall ride on or operate a low-speed vehicle upon any sidewalk within the City or within the boundaries of any City park, except in designated parking areas.
8. 
No person shall operate a low-speed vehicle on a City street, State highway or alley in the following manner(s):
a. 
In a careless manner which may endanger the property or safety of themselves or any other; or
b. 
While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.
No person riding upon any bicycle, motorized bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself/herself to any vehicle upon a roadway. Neither shall the driver of a vehicle knowingly pull a rider behind a vehicle.
No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any controlled access roadway except at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.
It shall be unlawful for the directing Officer or the operator of any railroad train to direct the operation of or to operate the same in such a manner as to prevent the use of any street for purposes of travel for a period of time longer than five (5) minutes; provided that this Section shall not apply to a moving train or to one stopped because of an emergency or for repairs necessary before it can proceed safely.
No vehicle shall at any time be driven through or within a safety zone.
[CC 1970 §18-20; Ord. No. 621 §96, 11-5-1962]
A highway, road or street within the City may be closed and withdrawn from public use temporarily and during such period as public work thereon or other public emergency or expediency shall make such action necessary. No person shall use or attempt to use such highway, road or street so withdrawn from public use or drive or attempt to drive any vehicle or animal thereon, during the period the highway, road or street is withdrawn from public use. A sign shall be placed at each end of the portion of such highway, road or street, withdrawn from public use which sign shall have the following words painted thereon, in letters at least six (6) inches high: "ROAD CLOSED".
[CC 1970 §18-47; Ord. No. 621 §29, 11-5-1962]
No person shall operate or drive a motor vehicle used primarily for advertising purposes or display posters or placards or any article for the inspection of the public on such vehicles or as a part thereof, at a rate of speed less than twenty (20) miles per hour. The operator of such vehicle shall move the same continuously and shall not stop the same except when ordered by any Police Officer or in obedience to traffic signals or signs.
A. 
Upon all public roads or highways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right-half of the roadway, except as follows:
1. 
When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction pursuant to the rules governing such movement;
2. 
When placing a vehicle in position for and when such vehicle is lawfully making a left turn in compliance with the provisions of this Title;
3. 
When the right-half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair; or
4. 
Upon a roadway designated by local ordinance as a one-way street and marked or signed for one-way traffic.
B. 
It is unlawful to drive any vehicle upon any highway or road which has been divided into two (2) or more roadways by means of a physical barrier or by means of a dividing section or delineated by curbs, lines or other markings on the roadway except to the right of such barrier or dividing section or to make any left turn or semi-circular or U-turn on any such divided highway, except at an intersection or interchange or at any signed location designated by the State Highways and Transportation Commission or the Department of Transportation. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to emergency vehicles, law enforcement vehicles or to vehicles owned by the Commission or the Department.
C. 
Whenever any roadway has been divided into three (3) or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules in addition to all other consistent herewith shall apply:
1. 
A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.
2. 
Upon a roadway which is divided into three (3) lanes, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway ahead is clearly visible and such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn, or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of such allocation.
3. 
Upon all highways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic thereon shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except as otherwise provided in Sections 304.014 to 304.026, RSMo.
4. 
Official signs may be erected by the State Highways and Transportation Commission or the Highway Patrol may place temporary signs directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes to traffic moving in the same direction and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such sign.
5. 
Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right and, except when a roadway has been divided into traffic lanes, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half (½) of the main traveled portion of the roadway whenever possible.
D. 
All vehicles in motion upon a highway having two (2) or more lanes of traffic proceeding in the same direction shall be driven in the right-hand lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or when preparing to make a proper left turn or when otherwise directed by traffic markings, signs or signals.
A. 
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.
1. 
An operator or driver when stopping, or when checking the speed of the operator's vehicle, if the movement of other vehicles may reasonably be affected by such checking of speed, shall extend such operator's arm at an angle below horizontal so that the same may be seen in the rear of the operator's vehicle.
2. 
An operator or driver intending to turn the operator's vehicle to the right shall extend such operator's arm at an angle above horizontal so that the same may be seen in front of and in the rear of the operator's vehicle, and shall slow down and approach the intersecting highway as near as practicable to the right side of the highway along which such operator is proceeding before turning.
3. 
An operator or driver intending to turn the operator's vehicle to the left shall extend such operator's arm in a horizontal position so that the same may be seen in the rear of the vehicle, and shall slow down and approach the intersecting highway so that the left side of the vehicle shall be as near as practicable to the centerline of the highway along which the operator is proceeding before turning.
4. 
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. A vehicle shall be considered as so constructed or loaded that a hand and arm signal would not be visible both to the front and rear when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load exceeds twenty-four (24) inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereon exceeds fourteen (14) feet, which limit of fourteen (14) feet shall apply to single vehicles or combinations of vehicles. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to any trailer which does not interfere with a clear view of the hand signals of the operator or of the signaling device upon the vehicle pulling such trailer; provided further, that the provisions of this Section as far as mechanical devices on vehicles so constructed that a hand and arm signal would not be visible both to the front and rear of such vehicle as above provided shall only be applicable to new vehicles registered within this State after the first (1st) day of January, 1954.
[CC 1970 §18-42; Ord. No. 621 §101, 11-5-1962]
It is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle which has more than three (3) persons over the age of sixteen (16) years in the front seat, nor shall any person extend any part of his/her body outside the vehicle except the hand and arm for required traffic signaling purposes only.
A. 
The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to the limitations and exceptions hereinafter stated:
1. 
The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle; and
2. 
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and shall not increase the speed of such driver's vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
B. 
The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
1. 
When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;
2. 
Upon a City street with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of vehicles in each direction; or
3. 
Upon a one-way street.
The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under the foregoing conditions when such movement may be made in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the paved or main traveled portion of the roadway. The provisions of this Subsection shall not relieve the driver of a slow-moving vehicle from the duty to drive as closely as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway.
C. 
Except when a roadway has been divided into three (3) traffic lanes, no vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the centerline of a highway or public road 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 or any vehicle overtaken.
D. 
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; or
2. 
When the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred (100) feet of any bridge, viaduct, tunnel or when approaching within one hundred (100) feet of or at any intersection or railroad grade crossing.
[Ord. No. 1824 §1, 6-16-2015]
A. 
Every person operating a motor vehicle in the City of Rock Hill, whether on any public or private street, parking lot, or driveway, shall do so at a rate of speed reasonable under the existing driving conditions and in a careful and prudent manner. Said operator shall give full attention to the task of driving and shall keep a proper lookout for other motor vehicles, motorcycles, motor scooters, bicycles, or pedestrians so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care.
B. 
It shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this Section if a motor vehicle operator engages in any conduct that causes the operator's vision or attention to be diverted, obscured, diminished, or directed away from the path of travel or the operation of the vehicle, including but not limited to using a mirror or other device to engage in personal grooming, reading anything located in the vehicle other than operational information displayed on vehicle gauges and equipment, eating, drinking, writing, drawing, or inputting information into or otherwise operating a GPS system, mapping device, sound system, or telephone.
C. 
Any person convicted of violating this Section 340.220 of the Rock Hill Municipal Code shall be subject to punishment as provided in Section 100.080 of the Code.