[Code 1975 §15.14(1); CC 1989 §13-311]
No person shall operate a motor vehicle, trailer, pole trailer, or semi-trailer in this City which is in such defective mechanical condition as to be reasonably likely, because of such defective mechanical conditions, to cause damage to persons or property while being so operated.
[Code 1975 §15.14(2); CC 1989 §13-312]
No person shall operate a motor vehicle in this City unless the vehicle is equipped with safety glass as required by Sections 307.130 through 307.150, inclusive, RSMo.
[Code 1975 §15.14(4); CC 1989 §13-314]
Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a horn, directed forward or whistle in good working order, capable of emitting a sound adequate in quantity and volume to give warning of the approach of such vehicle to other users of the highway and pedestrians. Such signaling device shall be used for warning purposes only and shall not be used for making any unnecessary noise, and no other sound-producing device shall be used at any time.
Muffler cutouts shall not be used and no vehicle shall be driven in such manner or condition that excessive and unnecessary noises shall be made by its machinery, motor, signaling device, or other parts, or by any improperly loaded cargo. The motors of all motor vehicles shall be fitted with properly attached mufflers of such capacity or construction as to quiet the maximum possible exhaust noise as completely as is done in modern gas engine passenger motor vehicles. Any cutout or opening in the exhaust pipe between the motor and the muffler on any motor vehicle shall be completely closed and disconnected from its operating lever, and shall be so arranged that it cannot automatically open, or be opened or operated while such vehicle is in motion.
[Code 1975 §15.14(6); CC 1989 §13-316; 3384 §1, 2-23-2015]
A. 
All motor vehicles, except motorcycles, shall be provided at all times with two (2) sets of adequate brakes, kept in good working order, and motorcycles shall be provided with one (1) set of adequate brakes kept in good working order.
B. 
No operator of a motor vehicle shall cause his or her vehicle to slow or brake by any method which produces an excessive and unnecessary noise, including, but not limited to un-muffled engine braking. As used in this section, "engine braking" shall refer to compression release braking systems or "Jake brakes," as a means of slowing or braking the speed of the vehicle in lieu of applying the clutch or brakes.
All motor vehicles which are so constructed or loaded that the operator cannot see the road behind such vehicle by looking back or around the side of such vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so adjusted as to reveal the road behind and be visible from the operator's seat.
[Code 1975 §15.03(38); CC 1989 §13-318; Ord. No. 994 §1, 4-28-1986; Ord. No. 1814 §3, 1-9-1995; Ord. No. 2221 §1, 7-13-1998; Ord. No. 3190 §1, 11-28-2006; Ord. No. 4174, 2-26-2018]
A. 
As used in this Section, the following terms shall mean:
CHILD BOOSTER SEAT
A seating system which meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set forth in 49 C.F.R. § 571.213, as amended, that is designed to elevate a child to properly sit in a Federally approved safety belt system.
CHILD PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM
A seating system which meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set forth in 49 C.F.R. § 571.213, as amended, and which is either permanently affixed to a motor vehicle or is affixed to such vehicle by a safety belt or a universal attachment system.
DRIVER
A person who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle.
PASSENGER CAR
Every motor vehicle designed for carrying ten (10) persons or less and used for the transportation of persons; except that, the term "passenger car" shall not include motorcycles, motorized bicycles, motortricycles and trucks with a licensed gross weight of twelve thousand (12,000) pounds or more.
B. 
Each driver, except persons employed by the United States Postal Service while performing duties for that Federal agency which require the operator to service postal boxes from their vehicles or which require frequent entry into and exit from their vehicles and front seat passenger of a passenger car manufactured after January 1, 1968, operated on a street or highway in this State and persons less than eighteen (18) years of age operating or riding in a truck, as defined in Section 301.010, RSMo., on a street or highway of this State, shall wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt that meets Federal National Highway, Transportation and Safety Act requirements. The provisions of this Section shall not be applicable to persons who have a medical reason for failing to have a seat belt fastened about their body, nor shall the provisions of this Subsection be applicable to persons while operating or riding in a motor vehicle being used in agricultural work-related activities. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to the transporting of children under sixteen (16) years of age as provided in Subsection (E).
C. 
Each driver of a motor vehicle transporting a child less than sixteen (16) years of age shall secure the child in a properly adjusted and fastened restraint under Subsection (E).
D. 
Except as otherwise provided for in Subsection (F), each person who violates the provisions of Subsection (B) upon conviction may be punished by a fine not to exceed ten dollars ($10.00). All other provisions of law and court rules to the contrary notwithstanding, no court costs shall be imposed on any person due to a violation of Subsection (B).
E. 
Every driver transporting a child under the age of sixteen (16) years shall be responsible, when transporting such child in a motor vehicle operated by that driver on the streets or highways of this State, for providing for the protection of such child as follows:
1. 
Children less than four (4) years of age, regardless of weight, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for that child.
2. 
Children weighing less than forty (40) pounds, regardless of age, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for that child.
3. 
Children at least four (4) years of age but less than eight (8) years of age, who also weigh at least forty (40) pounds but less than eighty (80) pounds and who are also less than four (4) feet, nine (9) inches tall, shall be secured in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat appropriate for that child.
4. 
Children at least eighty (80) pounds or children more than four (4) feet, nine (9) inches in height shall be secured by a vehicle safety belt or booster seat appropriate for that child.
5. 
A child who otherwise would be required to be secured in a booster seat may be transported in the back seat of a motor vehicle while wearing only a lap belt if the back seat of the motor vehicle is not equipped with a combination lap and shoulder belt for booster seat installation.
6. 
When transporting children in the immediate family when there are more children than there are seating positions in the enclosed area of a motor vehicle, the children who are not able to be restrained by a child safety restraint device appropriate for the child shall sit in the area behind the front seat area. The driver transporting children referred to in this Subsection is not in violation of this Section.
This Subsection shall only apply to the use of a child passenger restraint system or vehicle safety belt for children less than sixteen (16) years of age being transported in a motor vehicle. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any public carrier for hire. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to students four (4) years of age or older who are passengers on a school bus as defined in Section 301.010, RSMo.
F. 
Any driver who violates Subdivisions (1), (2) or (3) of Subsection (E) of this Section is guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction, may be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) and court costs. Any driver who violates Subdivision (4) of Subsection (E) of this Section shall be subject to the penalty in Subsection (D) of this Section. If a driver receives a citation for violating Subdivisions (1), (2) or (3) of Subsection (E) of this Section, the charges shall be dismissed or withdrawn if the driver prior to or at his or her hearing provides evidence of acquisition of a child passenger restraint system or child booster seat which is satisfactory to the court or the party responsible for prosecuting the driver's citation.
[Ord. No. 3190 §2, 11-28-2006]
A. 
No person shall operate any truck, as defined in Section 301.010, RSMo., with a licensed gross weight of less than twelve thousand (12,000) pounds on any highway which is part of the State or Federal highway system or when such truck is operated within the corporate limits of this City when any person under eighteen (18) years of age is riding in the unenclosed bed of such truck. No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall ride in the unenclosed bed of such truck when the truck is in operation.
B. 
The provisions of Subsection (A) shall apply when a truck is operated within the corporate limits of this City. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to:
1. 
An employee engaged in the necessary discharge of the employee's duties where it is necessary to ride in the unenclosed bed of the truck;
2. 
Any person while engaged in agricultural activities where it is necessary to ride in the unenclosed bed of the truck;
3. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck while such truck is being operated in a parade, caravan or exhibition which is authorized by law;
4. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck has installed a means of preventing such person from being discharged or such person is secured to the truck in a manner which will prevent the person from being thrown, falling or jumping from the truck;
5. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck is being operated solely for the purposes of participating in a special event and it is necessary that the person ride in such unenclosed bed due to a lack of available seating. "Special event", for the purposes of this Section, is a specific social activity of a definable duration which is participated in by the person riding in the unenclosed bed;
6. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck is being operated solely for the purposes of providing assistance to, or ensuring the safety of, other persons engaged in a recreational activity; or
7. 
Any person riding in the unenclosed bed of a truck if such truck is the only legally titled, licensed and insured vehicle owned by the family of the person riding in the unenclosed bed and there is insufficient room in the passenger cab of the truck to accommodate all passengers in such truck. For the purposes of this Subsection, the term "family" shall mean any persons related within the first degree of consanguinity.
[Code 1975 §15.14(8); CC 1989 §13-319]
A. 
No person shall operate a motor vehicle in this City in such manner as to cause or permit the emission of visible air contaminants from any internal combustion engine for more than ten (10) consecutive seconds at any one time.
B. 
No person shall cause or permit the engine of a motor vehicle to idle longer than three (3) consecutive minutes while parking, standing or stopped, unless the engine is being used to operate a loading, unloading or processing device.
[Code 1975 §15.14(9); CC 1989 §13-320]
All vehicles carrying poles or other objects which project more than five (5) feet from the rear of such vehicle, shall, during the period when lights are required by this Title, carry a red light at or near the rear end of the pole or other of the objects so projecting. At other times, a red flag or cloth, not less than sixteen (16) inches square, shall be displayed at the end of such projection.
A. 
When one (1) vehicle is towing another, the connecting device shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet. During the time that lights are required by Sections 307.020 to 307.120, RSMo., the required lights shall be displayed by both vehicles. Every towed vehicle shall be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, cable, or equivalent device in addition to the primary coupling device, except that such secondary coupling device shall not be necessary if the connecting device is connected to the towing vehicle by a center-locking ball located over or nearly over the rear axle and not supported by the rear bumper of the towing vehicle. Such secondary safety connecting devices shall be of sufficient strength to control the towed vehicle in the event of failure of the primary coupling device. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to wreckers towing vehicles or to vehicles secured to the towing vehicle by a fifth-wheel type connection.
B. 
The provisions of Subsection (B) of this Section shall not apply to farm implements, or to any vehicle which is not required to be registered.
[Code 1975 §15.14(11); CC 1989 §13-322]
A. 
No person shall operate or drive any motor vehicle in this City with any object suspended or mounted in any manner between the driver and the front windshield or with any sign, poster, snow, ice or other non-transparent material upon the front windshield, side or rear windows of such vehicle, which obstructs or interferes with the driver's clear view of the street or which might divert his/her attention from the street.
B. 
Wipers are required; no person shall operate or drive any motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, which is not equipped with a windshield wiper for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which wiper shall be constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle, and such windshield wiper shall be in good working order.
[Code 1975 §15.14(12); CC 1989 §13-323]
No person shall operate a motor vehicle in this City so constructed, equipped or loaded that hand and arm signals cannot be seen from the rear, unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a mechanical or electrical signalling device which shall display a signal plainly visible from the rear and indicating an intention to turn or stop, or that the speed of the motor vehicle is being slowed.
[Code 1975 §15.14(13); CC 1989 §13-324]
No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any street or highway of this City between the first (1st) day of April and the first (1st) day of November while the motor vehicle is equipped with tires containing metal or carbide studs.
A. 
Trucks, semitrailers, and trailers, except utility trailers, without rear fenders, attached to a commercial motor vehicle registered for over twenty-four thousand (24,000) pounds shall be equipped with mud flaps for the rear wheels when operated on the public highways of this State. If mud flaps are used, they shall be wide enough to cover the full tread width of the tire or tires being protected; shall be so installed that they extend from the underside of the vehicle body in a vertical plane behind the rear wheels to within eight (8) inches of the ground; and shall be constructed of a rigid material or a flexible material which is of a sufficiently rigid character to provide adequate protection when the vehicle is in motion. No provisions of this Section shall apply to a motor vehicle in transit and in process of delivery equipped with temporary mud flaps, to farm implements, or to any vehicle which is not required to be registered.
B. 
Any person who violates this Section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided by law.
A. 
All motor vehicles, and every trailer and semitrailer operating upon the public highways of this City and carrying goods or material or farm products which may reasonably be expected to become dislodged and fall from the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer as a result of wind pressure or air pressure and/or by the movement of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer shall have a protective cover or be sufficiently secured so that no portion of such goods or material can become dislodged and fall from the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer while being transported or carried.
B. 
Operation of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer in violation of this section shall be a class C misdemeanor, and any person convicted thereof shall be punished as provided by law.
[Code 1975 §15.14(15); CC 1989 §13-326]
Every vehicle upon a street or highway within this City at any time from one-half (½) hour after sunset to one-half (½) hour before sunrise, or when the street lights are lighted, and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of five hundred (500) feet ahead, shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as hereinafter respectively required for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles, and further that stop lights, turn signals and other signalling devices shall be lighted as prescribed for use of such devices.
[Code 1975 §15.14(16); CC 1989 §13-327]
Except as otherwise provided in this Title, every motor vehicle other than a motor-drawn vehicle and other than a motorcycle shall be equipped with at least two (2) approved headlamps mounted at the same level with at least one (1) on each side of the front of the vehicle. Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one (1) and not more than two (2) approved headlamps. Every motorcycle equipped with a sidecar or other attachment shall be equipped with a lamp on the outside limit of such attachment capable of displaying a white light to the front.
[Code 1975 §15.14(17); CC 1989 §13-328]
A. 
Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one (1) spotlamp but every lighted spotlamp shall be so aimed and used so as not to be dazzling or glaring to any person.
B. 
Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed three (3) auxiliary lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twelve (12) inches nor more than forty-two (42) inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.
[Code 1975 §15.14(18); CC 1989 §13-329]
A. 
Every motor vehicle and every motor-drawn vehicle shall be equipped with at least two (2) rear lamps, not less than fifteen (15) inches nor more than seventy-two (72) inches above the ground upon which the vehicle stands, which, when lighted, will exhibit a red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear. Either such lamps or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration number plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty (50) feet to the rear. When the rear registration number plate is illuminated by an electric lamp other than required rear lamps, all such lamps shall be turned on or off only by the same control switch at all times.
B. 
Every motorcycle registered in this State when operated on a street or highway shall also carry at the rear, either as part of the rear lamp or separately, at least one (1) approved red reflector, which shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be visible during the times when lighted lamps are required from all distances within three hundred (300) feet to fifty (50) feet from such vehicle when directly in front of a motor vehicle displaying lawfully undimmed headlamps.
C. 
Every new passenger car, new commercial motor vehicle, motor-drawn vehicle and bus registered in this State when operated on a street or highway shall also carry at the rear at least two (2) approved red reflectors, at least one (1) at each side, so designed, mounted on the vehicle and maintained as to be visible during the times when lighted lamps are required from all distances within five hundred (500) feet to fifty (50) feet from such vehicle when directly in front of a motor vehicle displaying lawfully undimmed headlamps. Every such reflector shall meet the requirements of this Chapter and shall be mounted upon the vehicle at a height not to exceed sixty (60) inches nor less than fifteen (15) inches above the surface upon which the vehicle stands.
[Code 1975 §15.14(19); CC 1989 §13-330]
At all times when lighted lamps are required, at least two (2) lighted lamps shall be displayed, one (1) on each side of the front of every motor vehicle, except a motorcycle and a motor-drawn vehicle except when such vehicle is parked subject to the provisions governing lights on parked vehicles. Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlamps as in this Chapter required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spotlamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred (300) candle power, not more than a total of four (4) of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time upon a street or highway.
[Code 1975 §15.14(20); CC 1989 §13-331]
A. 
Headlamps, when lighted, shall exhibit lights substantially white in color; auxiliary lamps, cowl lamps, and spotlamps, when lighted, shall exhibit lights substantially white, yellow or amber in color. No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment, except a school bus when used for school purposes or an emergency vehicle upon any street or highway with any lamp or device thereon displaying a red light visible directly in front thereof.
B. 
Alternately flashing warning signals may be used on school buses when used for school purposes and on motor vehicles when used to transport United States mail from post office to boxes of addressees thereof, and on emergency vehicles, but are prohibited on other motor vehicles, motorcycles and motor-drawn vehicles, except as a means for indicating a right turn or left turn.
[Code 1975 §15.14(21); CC 1989 §13-332]
All vehicles, including agricultural machinery or implements, road machinery, road rollers, traction engines and farm tractors not in this Chapter specifically required to be equipped with lamps shall be equipped during the time when lighted lamps are required with at least one (1) lighted lamp or lantern exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of such vehicle and with a lamp or lantern exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear, and such lamps and lanterns shall exhibit lights to the sides of such vehicles.
[Code 1975 §15.14(22); CC 1989 §13-333]
Every person driving a motor vehicle equipped with multiple-beam road lighting equipment, during the times when lighted lamps are required, shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations: Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred (500) feet, or is within three hundred (300) feet to the rear of another vehicle traveling in the same direction, the driver shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the other driver, and in no case shall the high-intensity portion which is projected to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle be aimed higher than the center of the lamp from which it comes at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead, and in no case higher than a level of forty-two (42) inches above the level upon which the vehicle stands at a distance of seventy-five (75) feet ahead.
[Code 1975 §15.13(7); CC 1989 §13-334]
A. 
Whenever a vehicle is lawfully parked upon a street or highway during the hours between one-half (½) hour after sunset and one-half (½) hour before sunrise, and in the event there is sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of five hundred (500) feet upon such street or highway, no lights need be displayed upon such parked vehicle.
B. 
Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto, whether attended or unattended, during the hours between one-half (½) hour after sunset and one-half (½) hour before sunrise, and there is not sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of five hundred (500) feet upon such highway, such vehicle so parked or stopped shall be equipped with one (1) or more lamps meeting the following requirements:
1. 
At least one (1) lamp shall display a white or amber light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle;
2. 
The same lamp or at least one (1) other lamp shall display a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear of the vehicle;
3. 
The location of such lamp or lamps shall always be such that at least one (1) lamp or a combination of lamps meeting the requirements of this Section is installed as near as practicable to the side of the vehicle which is closest to passing traffic.
C. 
The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a motor-driven cycle.
D. 
Any lighted headlamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.