Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 10.12 Enforcement and Obedience to Traffic Regulations

A. Officers of the Police Department or 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 title or the Vehicle Code.

B. School crossing guards and school safety patrols as are appointed and assigned by the respective school districts are authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand, or other signal in conformance with traffic laws at school crossings and other locations as designated by the respective school districts; providing such school crossing guard shall, while actually directing traffic, be wearing insignia or clothing approved by the respective school district.

C. Police cadets of the Police Department of the City as are appointed and assigned by the Police Chief are authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand, or other signal in conformance with traffic laws; providing, that such cadet shall, while actually directing traffic, be wearing insignia or clothing approved by the Chief of Police.

D. The Chief of Police is authorized to certify persons to be members of a certified traffic control team for a period not to exceed one year. Such certification may be renewed by the Chief of Police. Administrative rules for such certification and recertification shall be maintained at the Riverside Police Department. Members of the certified traffic control team as are appointed and assigned by the Chief of Police are authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand, or other signal in conformance with traffic laws at events and locations designated by the Chief of Police; providing that such certified traffic control team member shall, while actually directing traffic, be wearing insignia or clothing approved by the Chief of Police.

(Ord. 7362 § 3, 2017; Ord. 5630 § 1, 1988; Ord. 4627 § 1, 1978; Ord. 4621 § 3, 1978; Ord. 2940 § 3.1, 1961)

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 fail to perform any act required as applicable to any such person under this title.

(Ord. 2940 § 3.2, 1961)

No person shall fail or refuse to comply with or to perform any act forbidden by any lawful order, signal, or direction of a police officer, Fire Department official, police cadet, school crossing guard, school patrol member or certified traffic control team member.

(Ord. 5630 § 2, 1988; Ord. 4627 § 2, 1978; Ord. 2940 § 3.3, 1961)

Every person riding a bicycle, propelling any pushcart, or riding or driving an animal upon a roadway, shall be subject to the provisions of this title applicable to the driver of any vehicle, except those provisions of this title which by their very nature can have no application.

(Ord. 2940 § 3.4, 1961)

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, this State, County, or City, and it is unlawful for any said driver to violate any of the provisions of this title, except as otherwise permitted in this title or by the Vehicle Code.

(Ord. 2940 § 3.5, 1961)

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

B. The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, relieve the driver of any such vehicle from obligation 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 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 Department while in use for the collection, transportation or delivery of United States mail.

(Ord. 2940 § 3.6, 1961)

A. Whenever any object such as a hedge, shrub, tree, fence, wall, etc., within any street or highway obstructs the view of any intersection, or driveway approach or any vehicular or pedestrian traffic upon the approaches to such intersection, or driveway or any other traffic hazard, the City Traffic Engineer may remove or may cause to be removed such object, or have such object reduced in height.

B. Whenever any object such as noted in subsection A is on property outside the street or highway, the City Traffic Engineer shall notify the occupant or owner of such property to remove or cause to be removed such object or reduce the height of such object to comply with Title 19.

(Ord. 3689 § 1, 1970; Ord. 2940 § 3.8, 1961)

Any City employee authorized by the Chief of Police; and with the concurrence of the Chief of Police, any City employee authorized by the City Manager may remove or cause to be removed:

A. Any vehicle that has been parked or left standing upon a street or highway or alley for 72 or more consecutive hours in violation of Section 10.44.030 of this Code;

B. Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a street or highway when such parking or standing is prohibited by ordinance or resolution of the City and signs are posted giving notice of such removal;

C. Any vehicle which is parked or left standing upon a street or highway where the use of such street or highway or a portion thereof is necessary for the cleaning, repair or construction of the street or highway or for the installation of underground utilities or where the use of the street or highway or any portion thereof is authorized for a purpose other than the normal flow of traffic or where the use of the street or highway or any portion thereof is necessary for the movement of equipment, articles or structures of unusual size, and the parking of such vehicle would prohibit or interfere with such use or movement; provided that signs giving notice that such vehicle may be removed are erected or placed at least 24 hours prior to the removal.

(Ord. 7262 § 1, 2014; Ord. 6872 § 4, 2006; Ord. 2940 § 3.9, 1961; Prior code § 19.5-1)