Chapter 74 — USE OF ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION BRAKING DEVICES

(A) Findings . The City Council finds that the use of engine or transmission braking devices or methods (aka "jake braking" or "dynamic braking") within the city limits creates unusual and excessive noise that unreasonably disturbs and annoys residents. The prohibition of such devices and methods is necessary to protect the health, safety, and public welfare.

(B) Prohibition . No person may slow a vehicle by a device, method, or practice known as engine or transmission braking, also referred to as "jake braking" or "dynamic braking", whereby rapid downshifting of a vehicle's engine or a compression release device is used in lieu of applying a vehicle's wheel brakes, causing loud noises to emit from the vehicle's engine and exhaust system. Such braking by any motor vehicle on any public highway, street, parking lot, or alley within the city is declared to be a public nuisance and is prohibited.

(C) Emergency vehicles . The foregoing provision does not apply to emergency vehicles.

(Ord. 2002-004, passed 6-10-02) Penalty, see § 10.99

CHAPTER 75: TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES

(A) The Director shall have the power and duty to place and maintain, or cause to be placed and maintained, official traffic-control devices when and as required under the traffic laws of the city to make effective the provisions of the laws; provided, however, that such traffic-control devices shall comply with the uniform standards and specifications promulgated pursuant to Cal. Veh. Code §§ 21400 and 21401.

(B) Whenever the Vehicle Code requires for the effectiveness of any law or provisions thereof, that traffic-control devices be installed to give notice to the public of the application of such law, the Director is authorized to install or cause to be installed the necessary devices, subject to any limitations or restrictions set forth in the law applicable thereto.

(C) The Director may also place and maintain, or cause to be placed and maintained, such additional traffic-control devices as he or she may deem necessary to regulate traffic or to guide or warn traffic, but he or she shall make such determination only upon the basis of traffic engineering principles and traffic investigations and in accordance with such standards, limitations and rules as may be set forth in the traffic laws of the city, or as may be determined by ordinance or resolution of the Council.

(Ord. 2009-001, passed 5-26-09)

No provision of the Vehicle Code or of this chapter for which signs are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator unless appropriate signs are in place and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person, giving notice of such provisions of the traffic laws.

(Ord. 2009-001, passed 5-26-09)

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. 2009-001, passed 5-26-09)

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. 2009-001, passed 5-26-09) Penalty, see § 10.99