Bakersfield Municipal Code Ch. 10.04 General Provisions

A. Whenever, by the provisions of this division, a power is granted to or a duty imposed upon the traffic authority, it may be exercised or performed by the head of any department authorized to do so by the traffic authority.

B. Whenever a power is delegated or a duty imposed upon the head of any city department by the traffic authority, the power may be exercised or the duty performed by an officer or employee of such department as authorized by the head of the department. (Prior code § 11.04.030)

A. It shall be the duty of the officers and community service technicians of the police department to enforce the provisions of this division.

B. Officers and community service technicians of the police department are authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand, whistle or other visible or audible signal.

C. In the event of fire, or other exigency or emergency, police officers and community service technicians may direct traffic as conditions may require notwithstanding the provisions of the traffic laws. (Ord. 2607 § 3, 1980; prior code § 11.04.040)

A. No person other than an officer of the police department or a person authorized by a police officer shall direct or attempt to direct traffic by voice, hand or other signal, except that persons may operate, when and as provided in this division, pushbutton pedestrian detector erected by order of the legislative body of the city.

B. A pushbutton pedestrian detector is defined as a detector of the push button type installed near the roadway and capable of being operated by hand for the sole purpose of controlling traffic signals to facilitate pedestrian traffic. It is unlawful to operate or activate such detector except for such purpose.

C. A pressure sensitive vehicle detector is defined as a detector installed in the roadway capable of being actuated by the pressure of a vehicle passing over its surface for the sole purpose of controlling traffic signals to facilitate vehicular traffic. It is unlawful to activate such detector or pass over its surface for a purpose other than that for which it is installed.

D. It is unlawful for any person to tamper with any official traffic sign, signal, detector or other device, or alter its position or direction in any manner.

E. The prohibitions contained in subsections B, C and D of this section shall not apply to any person who is authorized to do so by the traffic authority. (Prior code § 11.04.060)

A. The provisions of this division regulating the operation, parking, and standing of vehicles shall not be applied to any emergency vehicle as defined in Section 165 of the Vehicle Code when such vehicle is operated in the manner specified in the Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call, or while engaged in any public duty which would make obedience to the provisions of this division impracticable.

B. The provisions of this division regulating the parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of a city department or public utility while necessarily in use for construction or repair work, or any vehicle owned or operated by the United States while in use for the collection, transportation, or delivery of United States mail, or any vehicle of a city department used for parking control. (Ord. 2607 § 4, 1980; prior code § 11.04.070)

Any provision of this division which, pursuant to the provisions of the Vehicle Code of California, requires the written approval of the Department of Transportation prior to becoming effective with respect to state highways within the corporate limits of the city, shall cease to be operative with respect to such state highways six months after receipt by the city council of written notice from said department of the withdrawal of said department’s approval of any such provisions or of this division. (Ord. 2607 § 8, 1980; prior code § 11.04.700)