Hesperia Municipal Code Ch. 10.04 Traffic Regulations

The provisions of this title shall apply to the driver of any vehicle owned by or used in the service of the United States Government, the state, or any county or city. It is unlawful for any driver to violate any of the provisions of this title except as otherwise permitted in this title or by state statute.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.015)

A. The provisions of this title regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle that has qualified under the vehicle code as an authorized emergency vehicle, when any such vehicle is operated in the manner specified in the vehicle code in response to an emergency call.

B. The foregoing exemption shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of his wilful disregard of the safety of others.

C. The provisions of this title regulating parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of the city or of the State Department of Transportation, while necessarily in use for the construction, repair work, survey work or traffic engineering investigations on any highway or any vehicle owned by the United States while in use for the collection, transportation or delivery of the United States mail.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.016)

A. Signs. The city engineer shall determine and designate the size, shape and character of all official warning, regulatory, and direction signs, other than signs the size, shape and character of which have been established by the State Department of Transportation pursuant to the vehicle code.

1. Violation. No provision of this title for which signs are required, shall be enforced against an alleged violator thereof, unless appropriate signs are in place and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person, giving notice of such provision.

B. Authorization and Placing of Signals.

1. The city council shall by resolution designate, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, what intersections shall be controlled by official traffic control signals.

2. Whenever the city council finds, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the conditions, because of which traffic control signals have been placed at an intersection pursuant to subsection (B)(1) of this section no longer exist, the city council shall by resolution direct that such traffic control signals be removed.

3. The city engineer is authorized to place, maintain, operate or remove, or cause to be placed, maintained, operated or removed, all official traffic control signals authorized by the city council as herein provided. Such official traffic signals shall conform to the provisions of the vehicle code.

C. Hours of Operation. The city engineer is authorized to determine, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, 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 or established by resolution of the city council.

D. Installation by City Engineer.

1. The city engineer may place and maintain such traffic control devices in addition to those authorized by other provisions of this title as may be necessary to regulate, guide or warn traffic, but the city engineer shall make such determination upon the basis of traffic engineering principles and traffic investigations and in accordance with such standards, limitations and rules as may be established by ordinance or resolution of the city council.

2. Whenever the city engineer finds, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the conditions, because of which such traffic control devices have been installed as provided in subsection (D)(1) of this section no longer exist, the city engineer shall remove such traffic control devices.

E. Traffic Markings.

1. The city engineer is authorized to place, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, traffic guide lines, dividing highways into the number of traffic lanes that are proper and necessary, and may place such other pavement markings as are necessary to direct vehicular movements in accordance with requirements of this title and the Vehicle Code.

2. Whenever the city engineer finds, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the conditions, because of which traffic guide lines or other markings were placed as provided in subsection (E)(1) of this section no longer exist, the city engineer shall remove such traffic guide lines or such markings.

F. Temporary Removal. Whenever, because of the construction, alteration, repair or improvement of any highway, or because of other emergency, compliance with any prohibition of this title, including a prohibition pursuant to any action of the city council taken in accordance with this title, will create a traffic hazard and the city engineer so finds, he is authorized to either remove or cover up any traffic control device which informs persons of such prohibition. While such traffic control device is removed or covered, the effect of such prohibition is suspended. At the end of such emergency, unless otherwise determined by the city council, the city engineer shall replace or uncover such traffic control device.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.017)

A. Restricted Turn Signals.

1. Pursuant to the vehicle code, whenever the board determines, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the prohibition of the making of any turning movement by any vehicle at any intersection or between any designated intersections is necessary, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to erect any appropriate sign or signs stating the prohibition of such turning movements. The sign or signs may be supplemented by appropriate pavement markings.

2. Whenever the city council finds, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the conditions because of which such turning movements at such intersections or between such intersections has been prohibited as provided in subsection (A)(1) of this section no longer exist, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to remove such sign or signs and pavement markings.

B. Turn Markers and Multiple Lanes.

1. Pursuant to the vehicle code, the city council authorizes the city engineer, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, to place markers, buttons or signs within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in the vehicle code be traveled by vehicles turning at an intersection or may allocate and indicate more than one lane of traffic from which drivers of vehicles may make right- or left-hand turns.

2. Whenever the city engineer finds, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that any turning movement within or adjacent to any intersection which has been required by the placing of markers, buttons or signs as provided in subsection (B)(1) of this section is no longer necessary, the city engineer shall remove such markers, buttons or signs.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.018)

A. Pursuant to the vehicle code, whenever the board determines, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that it is necessary to designate particular highways or portions thereof as one-way highways and require that all vehicles thereon move in one specified direction, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to erect appropriate signs indicating the direction of travel at each highway intersecting such one-way highway upon such particular highway or portion thereof.

B. Whenever the city council finds, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the conditions, because of which such highway or portions thereof has been designated as a one-way highway as provided in subsection (A) of this section no longer exist, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to remove such signs from such one-way highway.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.019)

A. Streets Dividing School Property. Pursuant to the vehicle code, whenever the city council determines on the basis of a traffic engineering investigation that it is necessary to close a street that divides school grounds to vehicular traffic, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to place appropriate signs indicating such closure.

B. Hours, Days and Conditions. Whenever the board, pursuant to Section 10.04.060 of this chapter, orders the closing of streets, the city engineer shall, on the basis of traffic engineering investigation, determine the hours of the day, the days of the week and the conditions under which such street shall be closed.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.0110)

A. Establishment. Pursuant to the vehicle code, the city council may determine, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, by resolution that it is necessary: (1) to designate any highway as a through highway and to require that all vehicles stop before entering or crossing the same; (2) to designate any intersection as a stop intersection and to require all vehicles to stop at one or more entrances to such intersections; (3) to control traffic within an intersection and require it to stop, when signs are erected as provided by the vehicle code.

B. Railroad Stop Signs. Pursuant to the vehicle code, the city council may determine, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, by resolution that all vehicles shall stop before entering or crossing the tracks at any highway railroad grade crossing when signs are in place giving notice thereof, but no such ordinance shall be effective unless approved by an order of the Public Utilities Commission of the State.

C. Stop Signs. When the city council has adopted resolutions pursuant to subsections (A) and (B) of this section, the city engineer shall erect a stop sign on each and every street intersecting such through street or portion thereof so designated and at those entrances to or locations within other intersections where a stop is required and at any railroad grade crossing so designated. Every such sign shall conform with and shall be placed as provided in the vehicle code. Such signs may be supplemented by appropriate pavement markings.

1. Removal. Whenever the city council finds, on the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the conditions, because of which such highways have been designated as through highways or such intersection has been designated as a stop intersection or such location within an intersection has been designated where vehicles are required to stop, or such highway railroad grade crossing has been designated at which vehicles are required to stop before entering or crossing the tracks, as provided in subsections (A) and (B) of this section, no longer exist, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to remove such signs and pavement markings from such intersections or railroad grade crossings.

D. Emergency Stop Signs. The city engineer is authorized when any emergency condition, as indicated by a traffic engineering investigation, exists at any highway intersection or intersections, to place and maintain stop signs as provided in subsection (C) of this section for the duration of such emergency condition. Such stop signs shall be removed when such emergency condition ceases to exist unless otherwise determined by the city council.

1. Removal. The city engineer is authorized, when because of temporary detours, or other emergency, it would be impractical and a hazard to require vehicles to stop at an intersection where stop signs have been erected pursuant to this chapter, to either remove such signs or so cover them that no portion of the word "stop" remains visible. At the termination of such emergency, the city engineer shall restore such signs or uncover such signs unless otherwise determined restore such signs or uncover such signs unless otherwise determined by the city council.

E. Obedience to Stop Signs. Where stop signs have been erected pursuant to this chapter, any vehicle approaching such signs shall stop in accordance with the provisions of the vehicle code except that no stop is required where:

1. An officer is on duty and directs traffic to proceed;

2. A traffic signal is in operation and indicates that traffic may proceed;

3. A stop sign has been removed or covered pursuant to subsection (D)(1) of this section.

F. Yield-Right-of-Way Signs.

1. Pursuant to the vehicle code, whenever the board determines, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that it is necessary to require vehicles entering an intersection at one or more of its approaches to slow and yield the right-of-way as provided in the vehicle code, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to erect and maintain "yield-right-of-way" signs on such approaches.

2. Whenever the city council determines, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the conditions, because of which the "yield right-of-way" signs were erected as provided in subsection (F)(1) of this section no longer exist, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to remove such signs.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.0111)

A. Limits on Unimproved Highways.

1. Whenever the city council determines, upon the basis of an engineering investigation, that a highway is unimproved as the word "unimproved" is used in the vehicle code, and that the nature of the pavement or surface is such that it will be damaged if vehicles of over a certain gross weight are permitted to operate thereon, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to erect signs specifying the maximum gross weight limits which shall be permitted to operate on such highway.

2. The city engineer shall erect and maintain signs upon all unimproved highways upon which a weight limit is imposed at the entrances thereto from all improved highways, from all highways upon which no weight limit has been imposed, and from all highways upon which a greater weight limit has been imposed.

3. Whenever such weight limit signs have been placed as provided in this section, it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to drive or operate a vehicle upon such unimproved highway when the maximum gross weight of such vehicle, plus the weight of the load thereon, exceeds the weight limit stated by such signs except that any commercial vehicle shall not be prohibited from using any city street by direct route to or from a state highway for the purpose of delivering or loading for transportation, goods, wares, or merchandise as provided in the vehicle code.

4. Whenever the city council finds that because of repaving or repair of an unimproved highway, that a weight limit is no longer necessary upon such highway, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to remove the weight limit signs from such highway or entrances thereto.

B. Temporary Limits on Improved Highways.

1. Whenever the city council, upon the basis of an engineering investigation, determines that an improved highway as defined in the vehicle code, will be destroyed by reason of deterioration if vehicles of over a certain gross weight are permitted to operate thereon, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to erect temporary signs, as provided in subsection (A)(2) of this section for unimproved highways, specifying the maximum gross weight limits upon such highway. No such reduced weight limits shall extend for a period of more than ninety (90) days unless actual repair of such highway is begun within such time and thereafter continuously carried on to completion.

2. Whenever such temporary weight limit signs have been placed as provided in this section, it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to drive or operate a vehicle upon such improved highway when the maximum gross weight of such vehicle, plus the weight of the load thereon, exceeds the weight limit stated by such signs, except that any commercial vehicle shall not be prohibited from using any city street by direct route to or from a state highway for the purpose of delivering or loading for transporting goods, wares, or merchandise as provided in the vehicle code.

C. Closing Highways to Commercial Vehicles.

1. Pursuant to the vehicle code, whenever the city council determines, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that it is necessary to prohibit the use of any street, road, or highway in an unincorporated residential subdivision area to commercial vehicles exceeding a gross weight of fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to erect and maintain signs indicating such prohibition.

2. Whenever the city council determines, upon the basis of a traffic engineering investigation, that the conditions because of which a load limit was established as provided in subsection (C)(1) of this section no longer exist, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to remove such weight restriction signs.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.0125)

A. Whenever the city council determines, upon the basis of a structural engineering investigation, that the structure of a bridge on a highway is such that it is unsafe for vehicles over a certain weight to use such bridge, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to place signs at both entrances to such bridge specifying the maximum gross weight limits of any vehicle or combination of vehicles which shall be permitted to cross such bridge.

B. Whenever the city council finds, because of rebuilding, repairing, or strengthening such bridge, that such weight limits are no longer necessary, the city council shall by resolution direct the city engineer to remove such weight limit signs from the entrances to such bridge.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.0126)

No driver of a vehicle shall drive between vehicles comprising a funeral procession while they are in motion and when the vehicles in such procession are conspicuously so designated.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.0127(c))

No person shall ride or drive any animal or any vehicle over or across any newly-made pavement or freshly painted marking on any street when a barrier or sign is in place warning persons not to drive over or across such pavement or marking or sign stating that the street or any portion thereof is closed.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.0127(d))

No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any limited access roadway except at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.0127(e))

It is unlawful for any person to move, molest, tamper with or damage any survey device used for the purpose of making traffic investigations located on any city street.

(Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 52.0127(f))