Chula Vista Municipal Code Ch. 10.12 Traffic Administration

Sections:

• 10.12.010 Police Department powers and duties.

• 10.12.020 City Engineer powers and duties. 10.12.030 Emergency regulations.

***** For statutory provisions authorizing cities to adopt rules and regulations for traffic control, and to regulate traffic by using police officers, see Veh. Code § 21100.

The Police Department shall:

A. Enforce the provisions of this traffic code and all the state vehicle laws applicable to street traffic in this City, make arrests for traffic violations, investigate traffic accidents and cooperate with the City Engineer and other officers of the City in the administration of the traffic laws and in developing ways and means to improve traffic conditions and carry out those duties imposed upon said Department by this chapter; and

• B. Cooperate with the City Engineer in conducting studies of high accident frequency locations and determining remedial measures; and

• C. Maintain a suitable system of filing required traffic accident reports. Accidents, reports or cards referring to them shall be filed chronologically. Such reports shall be available for the use and information of the City Engineer; and

• D. Prepare annually a traffic report which shall be filed with the City Council. Such a report shall contain information on traffic matters in this City as follows:

  1. The number of traffic accidents, the number of people killed, the number of persons injured and other pertinent traffic accident data,

  2. The number of traffic accidents investigated and other pertinent data on the safety activities of the Police Department,

  3. The plans and recommendations of the Department for future traffic safety activities. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.2.1).

The City Engineer shall:

A. Except where reserved by the City Council pursuant to Council policy or as set forth in CVMC 10.04.030(G), the City Engineer, with the concurrence of the Traffic Safety Commission, shall have the power to adopt traffic and parking control measures and install, modify or alter traffic and parking control devices; and

B. Determine the installation, proper timing and maintenance of official traffic control devices, conduct engineering analysis of traffic accidents and devise remedial measures, conduct engineering investigation of traffic conditions, and cooperate with other City officials in the development of ways and means to improve traffic conditions. Whenever, by the provisions of this code, a power is granted to the City Engineer or a duty imposed upon him, the power may be exercised or the duty performed by his deputy or by a person authorized in writing by him. Whenever the City Engineer makes a determination authorized by this chapter, pursuant to the provisions of the California Vehicle Code, the violation of which is a misdemeanor, said determination shall promptly be filed in writing by the City Engineer, with a copy filed with the Chief of Police, so that enforcing officials shall be aware of any changes or modifications of regulatory determinations; and

C. Initiate and recommend necessary legislation for the efficient operation of traffic and the prevention of traffic accidents; and

D. Maintain schedules relating to parking and traffic control measures and devices on City streets as provided by regulations promulgated pursuant to this code. (Ord. 3539 § 1(T), 2022; Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.2.2).

A. The Police Department is empowered to enforce regulations necessary to make effective the provisions of this code. In the event of fire, emergency or special events, the Police Department is empowered to establish and enforce temporary traffic regulations.

B. For the purpose of minimizing traffic hazards and traffic congestion and for the promotion of public safety, the City Engineer is authorized to establish any traffic regulation for a trial period of eight months, notwithstanding the provisions of CVMC 10.04.030(G); provided, that:

1. Prior to the commencement of any trial period, a copy of the proposed regulation shall be sent by the City Engineer to the Council, together with a statement of the reasons therefor; and

2. Such trial period shall begin upon the posting of signs or other appropriate notices to the public.

• C. If a resolution embodying such regulation, or any part thereof, is not approved after the eight-month trial period, such regulation shall cease to be effective.

• D. The City Engineer may test traffic control devices under actual traffic conditions.

E. Regulations to control the direction of movement of traffic and the parking of vehicles on streets within the City shall be enacted pursuant to the authority of this section. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.2.3).