The City Traffic Engineer shall place and maintain traffic control signs, signals and devices when and as required under the traffic ordinances of the City to make effective the provisions of said ordinances and may place and maintain such additional traffic control devices as he/she may deem necessary to regulate traffic under the traffic ordinances of the City or under State law or to guide or warn traffic.
All traffic control signs, signals and devices shall conform to the manual and specifications approved by the State Highways and Transportation Commission or resolution adopted by the Board of Aldermen of the City. All signs or signals required hereunder for a particular purpose shall so far as practicable be uniform as to type and location throughout the City. All traffic control devices so erected and not inconsistent with the provisions of this Title shall be official traffic control devices.
The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with the provisions of this Title, unless otherwise directed by a traffic or Police Officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in this Title.
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.
A. 
Whenever official traffic control devices are placed in position approximately conforming to the requirements of this Title, such devices shall be presumed to have been so placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.
B. 
Any official traffic control device placed pursuant to the provisions of this Title and purporting to conform to the lawful requirements pertaining to such devices shall be presumed to comply with the requirements of this Title, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.
A. 
Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights or colored lighted arrows, successively one (1) at a time or in combination, only the colors green, red and yellow shall be used except for special pedestrian signals carrying a word legend, and said lights shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
1. 
Green indication.
a. 
Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.
b. 
Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by such arrow or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
c. 
Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in Section 315.070, pedestrians facing any green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
2. 
Steady yellow indication.
a. 
Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is thereby warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection.
b. 
Pedestrians facing a steady yellow signal, unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in Section 315.070, are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway.
3. 
Steady red indication.
a. 
Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown except as provided in paragraph (b) of this Subsection.
b. 
The driver of a vehicle which is stopped as close as practicable at the entrance to the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then at the entrance to the intersection in obedience to a red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that the State Highways and Transportation Commission with reference to an intersection involving a State highway, and local authorities with reference to an intersection involving other highways under their jurisdiction, may prohibit any such right turn against a red signal at any intersection where safety conditions so require, said prohibition shall be effective when a sign is erected at such intersection giving notice thereof.
c. 
Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in Section 315.070, pedestrians facing a steady red signal alone shall not enter the roadway.
4. 
In the event an official traffic control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this Section shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.
[Ord. No. 2011-07 §1, 2-14-2011; Ord. No. 2012-027 §1, 9-12-2012; Ord. No. 2014-005 §1, 1-13-2014]
A. 
Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following terms and phrases shall be defined as follows:
AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM
A system that consists of camera(s) and vehicle sensor(s) capable of calculating the speed of a moving motor vehicle and producing high-resolution, color, digital recorded images that show at least the license plate and number of the motor vehicle.
MUNICIPAL COURT
The Municipal Court of the City.
OPERATOR
Any person who operates or drives a motor vehicle and has the same meaning as "driver."
OWNER
The owner(s) of a motor vehicle as shown on the motor vehicle registration records of the Missouri Department of Revenue or the analogous department or agency of another state or country.
PERSON
Every natural person, firm, partnership, association or corporation.
RECORDED IMAGE
An image digitally recorded by an automated traffic enforcement system.
SYSTEM LOCATION
The location at which an automated traffic enforcement system has been located.
B. 
Violation Of Public Safety On Roadways.
1. 
Every motor vehicle owner has a duty to ensure that his or her motor vehicle at all times complies with the prescribed speed limits. It shall be deemed a violation of public safety on roadways for the owner to permit his or her motor vehicle to be operated at a rate of speed more than the posted speed limit. It shall be a rebuttable presumption that when a vehicle is recorded by an automated traffic enforcement system, it was being operated with the consent or the permission of the owner. Any such infraction may be excused upon submission of a sworn statement that:
a. 
The posting of the speed limit was not in accordance with State or local law;
b. 
The operator of the motor vehicle was acting in compliance with the lawful order or direction of a police officer;
c. 
The operator of the motor vehicle violated the speed limit in order to yield the right-of-way to an immediately approaching authorized emergency vehicle;
d. 
The motor vehicle was being operated as an authorized emergency vehicle as defined and in compliance with Section 304.022, RSMo.;
e. 
The motor vehicle was a stolen vehicle and being operated by a person other than the owner without the effective consent of the owner (but this shall not be a justification for such an operator), and the theft was timely reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency;
f. 
The license plate and/or tags depicted in the recorded image(s) were stolen and being displayed on a motor vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which they were issued (but this shall not be a justification for the operator of the motor vehicle), and the theft was timely reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency;
g. 
Ownership of the motor vehicle had in fact been transferred prior to the violation (provided State records substantiate this statement);
h. 
Any other issues or evidence that the Court deems pertinent.
2. 
A violation hereunder is based on ownership, without regard to whether the owner was operating the motor vehicle at the time of the infraction, except that, no liability shall be imposed on the owner of a motor vehicle when the vehicle is being permissively used by a lessee if the owner furnishes the name, address, and operator's license number of the person renting or leasing the motor vehicle at the time the violation occurred to the City within twenty-one (21) days from the time of receipt of written request for such information.
C. 
Automated Traffic Enforcement System Authorized. An automated traffic enforcement system is hereby authorized to be installed and operated on streets within the City for the purpose of detecting violations of public safety on roadways. Specific system locations shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Aldermen upon recommendation of the Chief of Police. Recorded images from a single camera unit shall constitute sufficient basis for a notice of violation if alone or in combination they clearly show the speed at which a motor vehicle is moving and the license plate and license number of the motor vehicle. Recorded images may also be used as evidence of other violations to the extent permitted by applicable law.
D. 
Enforcement Procedures.
1. 
Except as otherwise provided herein, upon review of recorded image(s) showing an infraction under this Section, a Police Officer of the City Police Department shall complete a notice in a form approved by the Chief of Police (which form may be completed electronically), and the City shall cause the completed notice to be mailed to the owner at the owner's last known address by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, within thirty (30) days after the date the recorded image(s) were taken.
2. 
Based upon the information obtained from the recorded image, the Police Officer may obtain any additional information about the owner, which is necessary to complete or mail the notice, from the records of the Missouri Department of Revenue or any other legal means; or, if the motor vehicle is registered in another state or country, from the motor vehicle registration records of the department or agency of the other state or country analogous to the Missouri Department of Revenue or any other legal means.
3. 
If there is more than one owner of the motor vehicle, a notice may be completed and addressed to any or all of them, and each such owner shall be jointly and severally liable hereunder.
4. 
The notice shall direct the owner to respond within the time prescribed in the notice either by paying the fine specified in this Section at the appropriate time and place in the City or by providing a sworn statement of applicability of one of the justifications for exceeding the speed limit set forth in this Section.
5. 
A copy of the recorded image(s) upon which the notice is based shall be sent to the owner with the notice.
6. 
The notice shall include a request that the name, address and operator's license number of any person renting or leasing the motor vehicle at the time the violation occurred be furnished to the City within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of the request.
7. 
Any sworn statement provided by an owner shall be examined by the City Prosecuting Attorney. If the City Prosecuting Attorney determines that a statement is insufficient, including but not limited to a determination based upon a comparison of the statement to the recorded image(s), then a letter shall be sent to the owner (any or all of them) at its last known address by first class United States mail, postage prepaid by the City, indicating that the statement was insufficient and the fine specified in this Section must be paid at the appropriate time and place in the City within twenty-one (21) days of the date of the letter. If the statement timely provides the name, address and operator's license number of any person renting or leasing the motor vehicle at the time the infraction occurred, then the notice of violation shall be withdrawn, a letter to that effect shall be sent to the owner by the City, and new notice of violation shall be issued to the identified person together with a copy of the identifying statement, which person shall be liable hereunder as if any owner.
8. 
In lieu of completing a notice of violation, the Police Department may send a warning notice to the owner if the system location was established within seven (7) days of the violation, or if the reviewing officer determines that the recorded images are inconclusive or that it is more likely than not that a justification applies to the infraction.
9. 
The provisions of this Chapter are complementary to, and not instead of, Chapter 315 or any other provision of the City's Municipal Code, as well as corresponding State Statutes pertaining to the offense of speeding.
It is the intent of this Chapter to address the conduct and behavior of owners only, and to ensure that all those who own a vehicle allow only responsible individuals to operate their vehicle.
E. 
Fine.
1. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of the City Code of Ordinances, the civil fine for the infraction of violation of public safety on roadways shall be:
a. 
Regular Speed Zone 1: one hundred fifteen dollars ($115.00) for exceeding the limit from ten (10) to fifteen (15) miles per hour, one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135.00) from sixteen (16) to nineteen (19) miles per hour, two hundred fifteen dollars ($215.00) more than twenty (20);
b. 
School Speed Zone 1: fifty dollars ($50.00) for exceeding the limit from five (5) to nine and nine-tenths (9.9) miles per hour, one hundred fifteen dollars ($115.00) for exceeding the limit from ten (10) to fifteen (15) miles per hour, one hundred thirty-five dollars ($135.00) from sixteen (16) to nineteen (19) miles per hour, two hundred fifteen dollars ($215.00) more than twenty (20);
c. 
Travel Safe Speed Zone 1: one hundred eighty-five dollars ($185.00) for exceeding the limit from ten (10) to fifteen (15) miles per hour, two hundred five dollars ($205.00) from sixteen (16) to nineteen (19) miles per hour, two hundred eighty-five dollars ($285.00) more than twenty (20) miles per hour.
2. 
Under no circumstances may a person be imprisoned for an infraction. This is a civil violation, not a criminal offense.
F. 
Warning Signs. An automated traffic enforcement system may be identified by advance warning signs posted at entrances to the City and/or at specific system locations, if the Board determines that such signs will enhance the efficacy of the system. Absence of such signs shall not provide justification for an infraction.
G. 
Failure To Respond To Notice Of Violation. Any person who does not respond to the first notice or letter issued under this Section by payment of fine or by timely and sufficient statement as described herein, shall be deemed to have requested a court date, and shall be sent a notice of hearing with a court date in compliance with Rule 37.33 VAMR Form 37A. If the person fails to appear as ordered, the person shall be sent a summons to appear in court. If the person fails to appear the person may be subject to prosecution for the offense of failure to appear in the Municipal Court for violation of this Section subject to the general penalty provisions of Section 100.220 set forth in the Municipal Code in addition to any other applicable liabilities or sanction.
H. 
The presumption of operation in Section 315.066 of the Municipal Code shall apply to all charges, prosecutions and trials under this Section.
A. 
Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't Walk" or appropriate symbols are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:
1. 
"WALK": Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.
2. 
"WAIT" or "DON'T WALK": No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his/her crossing on the walk signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone while the wait signal is showing.
A. 
Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal, it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
1. 
Flashing red (stop signal). When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
2. 
Flashing yellow (caution signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution.
When lane direction control signals are placed over the individual lanes of a street or highway, vehicular traffic may travel in any lane over which a green signal is shown but shall not enter or travel in any lane over which a red signal is shown.
No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway an unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic control device, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device.
No person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down or remove any official traffic control device or any inscription, shield or insignia thereon or any other part thereof.
The City Traffic Engineer shall have authority to declare any street or part thereof a play street and to place appropriate signs or devices in the roadway indicating and helping to protect the same.
Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating any street or part thereof as a play street, no person shall drive a vehicle upon any such street or portion thereof except drivers of vehicles having business or whose residences are within such closed area, and then any said driver shall exercise the greatest care in driving upon any such street or portion thereof.
A. 
The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized:
1. 
To designate and maintain, by appropriate devices, marks or lines upon the surface of the roadway, crosswalks at intersections where in his/her opinion there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing the roadway and at such other places as he/she may deem necessary.
2. 
To establish safety zones of such kind and character and at such places as he/she may deem necessary for the protection of pedestrians.
A. 
The City Traffic Engineer is hereby authorized to mark traffic lanes upon the roadway of any street or highway where a regular alignment of traffic is necessary.
B. 
Where such traffic lanes have been marked, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to fail or refuse to keep such vehicle within the boundaries of any such lane except when lawfully passing another vehicle or preparatory to making a lawful turning movement.
[CC 1991 §315.160; Ord. No. 652 §1, 11-15-1988]
Wherever two (2) or more lanes exist for traffic movement in the same direction at any intersection, the City by ordinance may require official traffic control devices be placed to designate the individual lanes as exclusively for traffic movement in a particular direction; and all such official traffic control devices shall be obeyed as required by Section 315.030. A master schedule of lane direction control devices shall be maintained by the City Traffic Engineer on file in the City Clerk's office.