Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 02 General Provisions

This title may be cited or referred to as "the City of Ceres traffic ordinance."

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

This title is adopted pursuant to those provisions of the California Vehicle Code authorizing local jurisdictions to regulate traffic. If any provision herein is deemed to be in conflict with the California Vehicle Code, the provisions of the California Vehicle Code shall prevail.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The City Engineer shall have the authority and responsibility for administering this title.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The City Council shall determine the following by resolution:

1. Designation of one-way streets;

2. Truck routes and weight limits;

3. Speed limits on City streets;

4. Hazardous material routes, subject to any law or regulation of the State or of the United States;

5. Kinds and classes of traffic and the maximum size and weight of vehicles permitted on any street or portion of a street.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The Police Department is authorized to enforce all traffic regulations of the City and the California Vehicle Code, make arrests or issue citations for traffic violations or infractions, and investigate traffic accidents.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

Personnel of the Police Department, Fire Department, and other persons designated by the Police Chief are authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand signals, or with other devices during emergency situations, such times as necessary to expedite traffic, or such times to safeguard pedestrians. Authorized persons may direct traffic as conditions require, notwithstanding the provisions of any other state or local traffic laws.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

No person other than those authorized pursuant to section 10.02.060 of this title shall direct or attempt to direct traffic by voice, hand, or other signal, except that persons may operate any mechanical pushbutton signal erected by order of the City Manager.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

A. The City Engineer shall place and maintain official traffic control devices when and as required under the traffic regulations of the City or the California Vehicle Code. All traffic control signs, signals and devices shall conform to the manual and specifications approved by the California Department of Transportation, unless otherwise allowed by the California Vehicle Code and approved by the City Council.

B. The City Engineer has the authority to test traffic control devices under actual conditions of traffic, subject to laws and regulations of the State or of the United States.

C. The City Engineer has the authority to remove, relocate, or discontinue the operation of any traffic-control device not specifically required by state law or this title whenever he or she shall determine in any particular case that the conditions which warranted or required the installation no longer exist or obtain.

D. The City Engineer is authorized to place and maintain distinctive roadway markings as described in the Vehicle Code on those streets or parts of streets where the volume of traffic or the vertical or other curvature of the roadway renders it hazardous to drive on the left side of such marking or signs and markings. Such marking or signs and marking shall have the same effect as similar markings placed by the State Department of Public Works pursuant to provisions of the California Vehicle Code.

E. The City Engineer is authorized to mark center lines and lane lines upon the surface of the roadway to indicate the course to be traveled by vehicles and may place signs temporarily designating lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction, regardless of the center line of the highway.

F. The City Engineer shall determine the hours and days during which any traffic-control device shall be in operation or be in effect, except in those cases where such hours or days are specified in this title.

G. The City Engineer is authorized to regulate the timing of traffic signals to permit the movement of traffic in an orderly and safe manner at speeds slightly at variance from the speeds otherwise applicable within the district or at intersections and shall erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof.

H. The City Engineer may cooperate with other City officials in the development of ways and means to improve traffic conditions.

I. The City Engineer shall exercise those additional duties imposed by City ordinance and resolution.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

A. Every person propelling a vehicle by human power or riding a bicycle shall have all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle described by this title, except those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no application.

B. Every person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway shall have all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle described by this title, except those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no application.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

A. No provision of this title for which official traffic control devices are required shall be enforced if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official traffic control 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.

B. No prohibition, regulation or limitation relating to stopping, standing or parking imposed under this title shall be effective unless official traffic control devices giving notice of such prohibition, regulation or limitation are erected and in place at the time of any alleged offense.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

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 placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority and shall be presumed to comply with the requirements of this title, unless the contrary is established by competent evidence.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

No person shall operate a motor vehicle to bypass any official traffic control device by traversing private or public property to avoid compliance with such device. However, a person shall not be deemed to be in violation of this section if they cross private property with the express permission of the property owner and are in possession of proof of such permission from the property owner at the time they traverse private property. Such person shall present such proof when requested by a public safety officer.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instruction of any official traffic-control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with the traffic laws of the City unless otherwise directed by a person authorized to direct traffic, subject to the exceptions granted by the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle when responding to emergency calls.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

A. No person shall operate a vehicle contrary to the directions or provisions of any barrier or sign erected:

1. Pursuant to the provisions of any ordinance of the City;

2. By any public utility;

3. By any department of the City; or

4. By any other person pursuant to law or contract with the City.

B. No unauthorized person shall move or alter the position of any such barrier or sign.

C. No person shall drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or being opened or closed.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)

Any person who causes a dangerous condition on any portion of a public street shall:

A. Erect and, so long as the danger continues, maintain a good and substantial barrier around the portion of the dangerous condition on the street or highway;

B. Maintain sufficient lights, torches, or flashers plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet on that portion of the street with the dangerous condition during every night from sunset to sunrise.

(Ord. No. 2020-1056, § 2, 2-24-2020)