Chula Vista Municipal Code Ch. 10.16 Enforcement of Traffic Laws

Sections:

• 10.16.010 Traffic direction – Authorized – Emergency authority. 10.16.020 Traffic direction – By unauthorized persons prohibited. 10.16.030 Compliance with lawful orders required. 10.16.040 Traffic direction – Special authority for large gatherings. 10.16.050 Noncompliance deemed misdemeanor. 10.16.060 Interference with or obstruction of lawful actions prohibited. 10.16.070 Applicability and scope of regulations. 10.16.080 Exemptions – Designated. 10.16.090 Exemptions – Requirement to exercise due care not affected. 10.16.100 Exemptions – Parking or standing of certain vehicles permitted when.

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

Officers of the Police Department and such officers as are assigned by the Chief of Police are hereby authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand, audible or other signal, in conformance with traffic laws, except that in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, officers of the Police Department or members of the Fire Department may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions to the contrary contained in this chapter or the Vehicle Code. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.1(A)).

No person other than an officer of the Police Department or members of the Fire Department or a person authorized by the Chief of Police or a person authorized by law shall direct or attempt to direct traffic by voice, hand, or other signal, except that persons may operate, when and as herein provided, any mechanical pushbutton signal erected by the City Engineer. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.1(B)).

It is unlawful for any person to fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order, signal or direction of a traffic or police officer or a member of the Fire Department or a person authorized by the Chief of Police or by law. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.1(C)).

At places where large numbers of people and vehicles are to gather or have gathered, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent any police officer from prohibiting any person from parking any vehicle upon or using any street or sidewalk, or from prohibiting any pedestrian from using any street or sidewalk, and said police officer shall have authority to direct the parking of vehicles in any reasonable manner, way or direction, and it is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person to fail to promptly obey said police officer’s order, signal or command, regardless of any other provision of this chapter. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.1(D)).

It is a misdemeanor for any person driving any vehicle or other conveyance upon any street, or any pedestrian, to do any act forbidden, or to fail to perform any act required, under this title. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.2(A)).

No person shall interfere with or obstruct in any way any police officer or other officer or employee of this City in their enforcement of the provisions of this title. The removal, obliteration or concealment of any chalk mark or other distinguishing mark used by any police officer or other employee or officer of this City in connection with the enforcement of the parking regulations of this title shall, if done for the purpose of evading the provisions of this title, constitute such interference or obstruction. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.2(B)).

The provisions of this title shall apply to the operator of any vehicle owned by or used in the service of the United States government, this state, any county, or any city, and it is unlawful for any such operator to violate any of the provisions of this title, except as otherwise permitted or exempted in this chapter or in the California Vehicle Code, or required by federal law. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.2(C)).

The provisions of this title regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall not apply to the following authorized emergency vehicles when operated in the manner specified herein pursuant to the requirements of the Vehicle Code, as amended. An authorized emergency vehicle is:

• A. Any publicly owned ambulance, lifeguard or lifesaving equipment; and

• B. Any publicly owned vehicle operated by the following persons, agencies or organizations:

  1. Any forestry or fire department of any public agency or fire department organized as provided in the Health and Safety Code,

  2. Any police department, sheriff’s department or the California Highway Patrol,

  3. The district attorney of any county or any district attorney investigator,

  4. Any constable or deputy constable engaged in law enforcement work,

  5. Peace officer personnel of the Department of Justice; and

• C. Any vehicle owned by the state, or any bridge and highway district, equipped and used either for fighting fires, or towing or servicing other vehicles, caring for injured persons, or repairing damaged lighting or electrical equipment; and

D. Any state-owned vehicle used in responding to emergency fire, rescue or communications calls and operated either by the California Disaster Office or by any public agency or industrial fire department to which the California Disaster Office has assigned such vehicle; and

• E. Any state-owned vehicle operated by a fish and game warden; and

F. Any vehicle owned or operated by any department or agency of the United States government, when such department or agency is engaged primarily in law enforcement work and the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls, or when such vehicle is used in responding to emergency fire, ambulance or lifesaving calls. (Cite Vehicle Code Section 165.) (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.3(A)).

The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, relieve the operator of any such vehicle from the obligation to exercise due care for the safety of others or the consequences of his willful disregard of the safety of others. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.3(B)).

The provisions of this title 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 Post Office while in use for the collection, transportation or delivery of United States mail. (Ord. 2670 § 1, 1996; Ord. 973 § 1, 1966; prior code § 19.3.3(C)).