It shall be the duty of the Police Department to enforce the
provisions of this chapter. Officers of the Police Department are
hereby authorized to direct all traffic either in person or by means
of visible or audible signal in conformance with the provisions of
this chapter, 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 this chapter or any other ordinance
of the City.
The Chief of Police may close temporarily any street or highway
in an impending or existing emergency, or for any lawful assemblage,
demonstration or procession, provided there is reasonable justification
for the closing of such street.
The Chief of Police may temporarily prohibit parking on any
street or highway or part thereof in an impending or existing emergency,
or for a lawful assemblage, demonstration or procession, provided
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.
Drivers of vehicles shall comply with any lawful or reasonable
order, signal or direction of any police officer.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to drivers operating
in conformity with the direction of a police officer; to drivers actually
engaged in work upon a street or highway closed to travel or under
construction or repair when the nature of their work necessitates
a departure from any part of this chapter; to officers when engaged
in the performance of public duties which necessitate a departure
from any part of this chapter; nor to drivers of emergency vehicles
while operating in an emergency and in performance of public duties
which necessitate a departure from any part of this chapter. These
exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any vehicle from
the consequence of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.
The police shall submit a traffic safety report annually in
the month of January to the Mayor and City Council covering:
A. The number of traffic accidents, the number of persons killed and
injured and other pertinent traffic accident data.
B. The number of traffic accidents investigated, the number of hazardous
locations studied, the number of drivers with bad records interrogated
and other pertinent data on the safety activities of the police.
C. The plans and recommendations for future traffic safety activities.
[Amended 9-5-1989 by Ord. No. 333]
For purposes of trial, the City Council and/or the Chief of
Police may make temporary rules regulating traffic, or test under
actual conditions, traffic signs, signals, markings or other devices.
No such emergency or experimental rule regulating traffic shall remain
in effect for a period of time longer than 30 days.