[1]
Note: Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-307, the following offenses are exclusively state offenses and must be tried in a state court or a court having state jurisdiction: driving while intoxicated or drugged, as prohibited by Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-401; failing to stop after a traffic accident, as prohibited by Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-101 et seq.; driving while license is suspended or revoked, as prohibited by Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-7-116; and drag racing, as prohibited by Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-10-501.
[1977 Code, § 9-101]
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motor vehicle within the corporate limits unless such vehicle is equipped with properly operating muffler, lights, brakes, horn, and such other equipment as is prescribed and required by chapter 9, title 59, of the Tennessee Code Annotated.
[1977 Code, § 9-103]
(1) 
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call, or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, subject to the conditions herein stated.
(2) 
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this title; proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down to ascertain that the intersection is clear; exceed the maximum speed limit and disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions so long as he does not endanger life or property.
(3) 
The exemptions herein granted for an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the driver of any such vehicle while in motion sounds an audible signal by bell, siren, or exhaust whistle and when the vehicle is equipped with at least one (1) lighted lamp displaying a red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicle, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red light visible in front of the vehicle.
(4) 
The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.
[1977 Code, § 9-104]
No driver of any vehicle shall follow any authorized emergency vehicle apparently traveling in response to an emergency call closer than five hundred (500) feet or drive or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
[1977 Code, § 9-105]
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive over any hose lines or other equipment of the fire department except in obedience to the direction of a fireman or policeman.
[1977 Code, § 9-107]
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle upon the streets and highways of the City of Collegedale in a careless unattentive manner. For the purpose of this section careless and unattentive driving is defined to mean:
(1) 
Failure to drive in a careful and prudent manner, having due regard for the width, grade, curves, corners, shoulders, traffic and all other attendant circumstances, so as to endanger life, limb, or property of any person, or
(2) 
To operate a motor vehicle which has frost, fog or other foreign matter or debris upon its windshield or windows which obstruct the vision of the driver.
[1977 Code, § 9-108]
No person shall drive or operate any automobile or other motor driven vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, or while under the influence of narcotic drugs, or while under the influence of drugs producing stimulating effects on the central nervous system.
[1977 Code, § 9-109]
On any street for one-way traffic with posted signs indicating the authorized direction of travel at all intersections offering access thereto, no person shall operate any vehicle except in the indicated direction.
[1977 Code, § 9-110]
(1) 
Upon all unlaned streets of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the street except:
(a) 
When lawfully overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
(b) 
When the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair.
(c) 
Upon a roadway designated and signposted by the city for one-way traffic.
(2) 
All vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven 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.
[1977 Code, § 9-111]
On streets marked with traffic lanes, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to fail or refuse to keep his vehicle within the boundaries of the proper lane for his direction of travel except when lawfully passing another vehicle or preparatory to making a lawful turning movement.
On two (2) lane and three (3) lane streets the proper lane for travel shall be the right hand lane unless otherwise clearly marked. On streets with four (4) or more lanes either of the right hand lanes shall be available for use except that traffic moving at less than the normal rate of speed shall use the extreme right hand lane. On one-way streets either lane may be lawfully used in the absence of markings to the contrary.
[1977 Code, § 9-112]
On streets with a yellow line placed to the right of any lane line or center line such yellow line shall designate a no-passing zone, and no operator shall drive his vehicle or any part thereof across or to the left of such yellow line except when necessary to make a lawful left turn from such street.
[1977 Code, § 9-113]
It shall be unlawful for any pedestrian or the operator of any vehicle to violate or fail to comply with any traffic-control sign, signal, marking, or device placed or erected by the state or the city unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
It shall be unlawful for any pedestrian or the operator of any vehicle to willfully violate or fail to comply with the reasonable directions of any police officer.
[1977 Code, § 9-114]
All traffic-control signs, signals, markings, and devices shall conform to the latest revision of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, published by the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, and shall, so far as practicable, be uniform as to type and location throughout the city. This section shall not be construed as being mandatory but is merely directive.
[1977 Code, § 9-115]
No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any street, any unauthorized sign, signal, marking, or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control sign, signal, marking, or device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to control the movement of traffic or parking of vehicles, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic-control sign, signal, marking, or device or any railroad sign or signal.
[1977 Code, § 9-117]
All motorists and pedestrians shall obey the directions or signals of school safety patrols, when such patrols are assigned under the authority of the chief of police, and are acting in accordance with instructions; provided, that such persons giving any order, signal, or direction shall at the time be wearing some insignia and/or using authorized flags for giving signals.
[1977 Code, § 9-118]
Except when otherwise directed by a police officer no driver of a vehicle shall drive between the vehicles comprising a funeral or other authorized procession while they are in motion and when such vehicles are conspicuously designated.
[1977 Code, § 9-119]
No person shall operate upon any street of the city any vehicle, motor propelled or otherwise, which by reason of its weight or the character of its wheels or track is likely to damage the surface or foundation of the street.
[1977 Code, § 9-120]
It shall be unlawful for any person traveling upon any bicycle, motorcycle, coaster, sled, roller skates, or any other vehicle to cling to, or attach himself or his vehicle to any other moving vehicle upon any street, alley, or other public way or place.
[1977 Code, § 9-121]
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride, or for the owner or operator of any motor vehicle being operated on a street, alley, or other public way or place to permit any person to ride on any portion of such vehicle not designed or intended for the use of passengers. This section shall not apply to persons engaged in the necessary discharge of lawful duties nor to persons riding in the load-carrying space of trucks.
[1977 Code, § 9-122]
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.
[1977 Code, § 9-123]
Whenever the load or any projecting portion of any vehicle shall extend beyond the rear of the bed or body thereof the operator shall display at the end of such load or projection, in such position as to be clearly visible from the rear of such vehicle, a red flag being not less than twelve (12) inches square. Between one-half (½) hour after sunset and one-half (½) hour before sunrise there shall be displayed in place of the flag a red light plainly visible under normal atmospheric conditions at least two hundred (200) feet from the rear of such vehicle.
[1977 Code, § 9-124]
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause unnecessary noise by unnecessarily sounding the horn, "racing" the motor, or causing the "screeching" or "squealing" of the tires on any motor vehicle.
[1977 Code, § 9-125]
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in violation of the "Tennessee Motor Vehicle Title and Registration Law" or the "Uniform Motor Vehicle Operators' and Chauffeurs' License Law."
[1977 Code, § 9-126]
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of a vehicle passing 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 street until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. The driver of the 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.
When the street is wide enough, the driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn.
The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction either upon the left or upon the right on a street of sufficient width for four (4) or more lanes of moving traffic when such movement can be made in safety.
No person shall drive off the pavement or upon the shoulder of the street in overtaking or passing on the right.
When any vehicle has stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the street, no operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
No vehicle operator shall attempt to pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless he can see that the way ahead is sufficiently clear and unobstructed to enable him to make the movement in safety.
[1977 Code, § 9-127]
(1) 
Every person riding a bicycle upon roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
(2) 
A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
(3) 
No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
(4) 
No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon the streets or roadways.
(5) 
Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway or street shall ride with the flow of traffic as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(6) 
Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway or street shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(7) 
Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway or street bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
(8) 
Any person operating a bicycle shall keep at least one (1) hand upon the handlebars.
(9) 
After sundown, every bicycle shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear; except that a red reflector meeting the requirements of this section may be used in lieu of the red light. All such lamps and reflectors shall be in place and in operation whenever a bicycle is operated after sundown.
(10) 
No parent of any minor child and no guardian of any minor ward shall authorize or knowingly permit any such minor child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this section.
(11) 
This section shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street, or upon any public path set aside for exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated herein.
[1977 Code, § 9-128; Ord. 242, Oct. 1988; Ord. 272, May 1990; Ord. 289, March 1992]
(1) 
Definitions. For the purpose of this section, unless a different meaning clearly appears in context, the following definitions of terms shall be used in its interpretation:
(a) 
MOTOR VEHICLE
Any device self-propelled by an internal combustion engine in, upon, or by which any person or property is transported or drawn upon the streets or other public ways of the city except the following: those belonging to governmental agencies; those belonging to nonresident tourists or visitors in the city for not more than thirty days; those belonging to and used by individuals who are not residents of Hamilton County, but not used for transportation to, or in the pursuit of, any occupation, vocation, business, trade or profession within the city; farm tractors and special mobile equipment.
(b) 
FARM TRACTOR
A vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement, for drawing plows, mowing machines, and other implements.
(c) 
MOTORCYCLE
A motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground.
(d) 
TRUCK
A motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
(e) 
PERSON
A natural person, firm or copartnership, association, or corporation.
(f) 
SPECIAL MOBILE EQUIPMENT
Any vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and incidentally operated or moved over the streets or other public ways.
(g) 
REGISTRATION TIME
Time of registration shall be June 15th, delinquent August 1st, next or within five days after the purchase of a motor vehicle, or within thirty (30) days after a motor vehicle is brought into the city from another state or county, and shall not be for a period less than one year.
(h) 
NONRESIDENT
A person not a resident of the city.
(i) 
OWNER
A person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, or in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner.
(2) 
Registration required. Every motor vehicle licensed by the State of Tennessee and owned or regularly operated by a resident person, or an association, firm or corporation with a place of business in the city, shall be registered with the city recorder. Each motor vehicle so registered shall be assigned an individual number in this book and the owner or operator issued a certification (decal) bearing the same number in form. Said decal shall be displayed in lower left corner of vehicle tag.
(3) 
Registration fee. At the time of registration each owner or operator shall pay a fee for registering the motor vehicle owned by him or regularly driven by him. The fee to be as follows:
(a) 
Motor scooters and motorbikes: $2.00.
(b) 
Motorcycles, automobiles, pick-up trucks and motor homes: $5.00.
(c) 
Trucks, 1-5 tons, single axle: $25.00.
(d) 
Trucks, over 5 tons, single axle: $50.00.
(e) 
Trucks, tandem rear axle: $100.00.
(f) 
Tractor: $200.00.
(4) 
Motor vehicle dealers. Each licensed motor vehicle dealer shall register one vehicle which is being held for sale. Such registration shall entitle such dealer to drive any motor vehicle upon the streets of the city for demonstration purposes only.
(5) 
Trucks or buses used in interstate commerce. There are excepted from this section trucks and buses used in interstate commerce not based in Collegedale.
(6) 
Report required on transfers. All persons selling or transferring one or more motor vehicles within the corporate limits of the city shall report said sale or transfer to the city manager within thirty-six (36) hours after such sale or transfer, giving the make, type, motor number and license number of said vehicle, and the name of the person to whom the transfer was made. The registration fee for vehicles acquired more than six months after June 15th shall be one-half the regular fee.
(7) 
Purpose clause. To be used in defraying the cost of administration of this section, the enforcement of its provisions, for the promotion of traffic safety and installation of signs, signals, markings and other safety devices and for regulating traffic on the streets of the city.
(8) 
Penalty. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle upon the streets of the city without having registered such vehicle and paying the registration fee. It shall be unlawful for any motor vehicle dealer or any person to sell or transfer a motor vehicle without notifying the city recorder of such transaction. Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor and upon conviction the person violating the same shall be fined in accordance with the general penalty clause in this code of ordinances.
[1977 Code, § 9-129]
Whenever any person lawfully possessed of a chauffeur's or operator's license heretofore issued to him by the department of safety is issued a citation or is arrested and charged with a violation of any ordinance regulating traffic, except driving under the influence of intoxicant or narcotic drug or leaving the scene of an accident, said person shall have the option of depositing his chauffeur's or operator's license with the officer or court demanding bail in lieu of other security required for his appearance in city court in answer to such charge before said court. The said officer or clerk with whom the said license is deposited shall issue to such person a receipt in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated, section 55-50-802.