Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard
for the safety of persons or property is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-91)
It is a misdemeanor for any person to drive or move or for the
owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway
any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such an unsafe
condition as to endanger any person, or which does not contain those
parts or is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment
in proper condition and adjustment as required by state law or regulation
or which is equipped in any manner in violation of state law or regulation.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-92)
(a)
Upon all roadways 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 under the rules governing such movement;
(2)
When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left
of the center of the highway; provided, any person so doing shall
yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction
upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance
as to constitute an immediate hazard;
(3)
Upon a roadway divided into three (3) marked lanes for traffic under
the rules applicable thereon; or
(4)
Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.
(b)
Upon all roadways, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal
speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then
existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for
traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge
of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle
proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn
at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(c)
Upon any roadway having four (4) or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the centerline of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under subsection (a)(2) of this section. However, this subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the centerline in making a left turn into or out of an alley, private road or driveway.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-93)
Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall
pass each other to the right and, upon streets having width for not
more than one (1) line of traffic in each direction, each driver shall
give to the other at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of
the street, as nearly as possible.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-94)
The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing
of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations,
exceptions and special rules 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.
(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 on audible signal and shall not increase
the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking
vehicle.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-95)
(a)
A driver may operate a vehicle on an improved shoulder to the right
of the main-traveled portion of the roadway as long as necessary and
when the operation may be done in safety only under the following
circumstances:
(1)
To stop, stand or park;
(2)
To accelerate prior to entering the main-traveled lane of traffic;
(3)
To decelerate prior to making a right turn;
(4)
To overtake and pass another vehicle that is slowing or stopped on
the main-traveled portion of the highway, disabled, or preparing to
make a left turn;
(5)
To allow other vehicles to pass that are traveling at a greater speed;
(6)
When permitted or required by an official traffic-control device;
or
(7)
At any time to avoid a collision.
(b)
A driver may operate a vehicle on the improved shoulder to the left
of the main-traveled portion of a divided or controlled-access highway
when the operation may be done in safety only under the following
conditions:
(c)
The provisions of this section limiting the operation of vehicles
upon improved shoulders shall not apply to:
(1987 Code, sec. 26-96)
(a)
The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon 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 street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied
by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of
moving vehicles in each direction;
(3)
Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted
to one (1) direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions
and of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving vehicles.
(b)
The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway, except as provided by section 12.05.006 of this code.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-97)
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of
the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in
the same direction unless authorized by the provisions of this chapter
and 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 operation
of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction on any vehicle
overtaken. In every event, the overtaking vehicle must return to an
authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and, in the event
the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles
approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two
hundred (200) feet of any approaching vehicle.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-98)
(a)
No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway
under the following conditions:
(1)
Where sight restriction is such that the section of highway being
traversed lies within a no-passing zone as determined and marked in
accordance with law;
(2)
When approaching within one hundred (100) feet of or traversing any
intersection or railroad grade crossing;
(3)
When approaching within one hundred (100) feet of any bridge, viaduct
or tunnel.
(b)
The foregoing limitations shall not apply upon a one-way roadway,
or to any driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley,
private road or driveway.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-99)
Where signs or markings are in place to define a no-passing
zone as required by law, no driver shall at any time drive on the
left side of the roadway within such no-passing zone or on the left
side of any pavement striping designed to mark such no-passing zone
throughout its length. However, this section shall not be construed
as prohibiting the crossing of such pavement striping, or the centerline
within a no-passing zone marked by signs only, in making a left turn
into or out of an alley, private road or driveway.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-100)
Upon a roadway or alley designated and signposted for one-way
traffic, the driver of a vehicle shall drive only in the direction
designated. The driver of a vehicle passing around a rotary traffic
island shall drive only to the right of such island.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-101)
Whenever any roadway has been divided into two (2) or more clearly
marked lanes for traffic, the following rules, in addition to all
others consistent herewith, shall apply:
(1)
The driver of a vehicle shall drive as nearly as practical 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 and provides
for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in
the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle
traveling in the same direction when such center lane is clear of
traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for making a left
turn or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively
to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is proceeding
and such allocation is designated by official traffic-control devices.
(3)
If official signs are erected directing slow-moving traffic to use
a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic
moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway,
drivers of vehicles shall obey the direction of every such sign.
(4)
If official traffic-control devices are installed prohibiting the
changing of lanes on sections of roadway, drivers of vehicles shall
obey the directions of every such device.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-102)
(a)
The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when following another vehicle,
maintain an assured clear distance between the two (2) vehicles, exercising
due regard for the speed of such vehicles, and traffic upon and conditions
of the street or highway, so that such motor vehicle can be safely
brought to a stop without colliding with the preceding vehicle, or
veering into other vehicles, objects or persons on or near the street
or highway.
(b)
The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle,
when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residential
district, and which is following another motor truck or motor vehicle
drawing another vehicle, shall, whenever conditions permit, leave
sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy
such space without danger, except that this shall not prevent a motor
truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and
passing any like vehicle or other vehicle.
(c)
The drivers of motor vehicles driven upon any roadway outside of
a business or residential district in a caravan or motorcade, whether
or not towing other vehicles, shall drive so as to allow sufficient
space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to
enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger.
This provision shall not apply to funeral processions.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-103)
Whenever any street or highway in the city has been divided
into two (2) roadways by leaving an intervening space or by a physical
barrier or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to
impede vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon
the right-hand roadway unless directed or permitted to use another
roadway by official traffic-control devices or police officers. No
vehicle shall be driven over, across or within any such dividing space,
barrier or section, except through an opening in such physical barrier
or dividing section or space or at a crossover or intersection as
established by public authority.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-104)
No driver of any vehicle shall, at any time, drive through or
within a safety zone.
(1987 Code, sec. 26-105)
