Downey Municipal Code Part 3 Enforcement and Obedience to Traffic Regulations

For purposes of this chapter:

(a) Members of the Police Department and such officers as are assigned by the Chief of Police are authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand or signal in conformance with traffic laws; provided, however, that in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, members of the Police Department may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of the traffic laws.

(b) Members of the Fire Department, and/or any City employee when at the scene of any emergency may direct or assist the police in directing traffic.

(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)

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 chapter. The removal, obliteration or concealment of any chalk mark or other distinguishing mark used by any police or other employee or officer of this City in connection with the enforcement of the parking regulations of this chapter shall, if done for the purpose of evading the provisions of this chapter, constitute such interference or obstruction.

(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)

No person other than a member of the Police Department, or a person assigned by the Chief of Police or a person authorized by law including adult crossing guards, shall direct or attempt to direct traffic by voice, hand or other signal except that an individual may operate the mechanical push buttons activating the pedestrian indications on a traffic signal.

(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the driver of any vehicle owned or used in the service of the United States government, the State, or any County or City, and it shall be unlawful for any such driver to violate any of the provisions of this chapter except as otherwise permitted in this Code or by State statute.

(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)

(a) The provisions of this chapter regulating the operation, parking, and standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of the Police Department or Fire Department, any public ambulance, any public utility vehicle, or private ambulance which has qualified as an authorized emergency vehicle when any such vehicle is operated in the manner specified in the California Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call.

(b) The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, relieve the operator of any such vehicle from obligations to exercise due care for the safety of others or the consequences of his willful disregard of the safety of others.

(c) The provisions of this chapter regulating the parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicles 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 Postal Service while in use for the collection, transportation, or delivery of United States mail, or any vehicle activity engaged in the collection of refuse.

(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)

(a) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent police officers 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 whenever such officer has reasonable cause to believe that large numbers of people or vehicles are to gather or have gathered, thus causing any unreasonable hazard to the safety of individuals or property or creating a traffic hazard. 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 the said police officer's order, signal, or command, regardless of any other provision in this chapter.

(b) No person shall perform any act forbidden by 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.

(Added by Ord. 18-1402, adopted 11-13-18)