Chapter 10.16
TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES AND SIGNALS*
Sections:
10.16.010 Placement by Council.
10.16.020 Installation – Locations.
10.16.040 Visibility Condition.
10.16.050 Indications of Signals.
10.16.060 Flashing Yellow Light.
10.16.070 Push Button Signals.
10.16.080 Emergency Traffic-Control Devices.
* For statutory provisions on local authority to place traffic-control devices and signals, see Vehicle Code § 21351 et seq. and § 21450 et seq.
10.16.010 Placement by Council.
The City Council shall have the exclusive power and duty to place and maintain or cause to be placed or maintained official traffic-control devices when and as required under this chapter to make effective the provisions of this chapter and may place and maintain such additional traffic-control devices as it deems necessary to regulate traffic under this chapter or under the State law, or to guide or warn traffic. (Ord. 196 § 20, 1938; Code 1975 § 519).
10.16.020 Installation – Locations.
The City Council is authorized to:
A. Install and maintain official traffic signals at such intersections and other places as it seems necessary for the regulation of traffic.
B. Establish safety zones at such places as it seems necessary for the protection of pedestrians.
C. Mark lanes for traffic on street pavements at such places as it deems advisable, consistent with the Vehicle Code and traffic ordinances of this City. (Ord. 196 § 21, 1938; Code 1975 § 520).
10.16.030 Obedience to Signs.
The driver of any vehicle and the person in charge of any animal shall obey the instructions of any barrier or sign erected by any of the public departments of this City or public utilities in this City, or by any other person, pursuant to law. (Ord. 79-20 § 5, 1979; Ord. 196 § 22, 1938; Code 1975 § 521).
10.16.040 Visibility Condition.
No provision of this chapter for which signs or markings are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if, at the time and place of the alleged violation, an official sign or marking is not in place and sufficiently legible and visible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. (Ord. 196 § 23, 1938; Code 1975 § 522).
10.16.050 Indications of Signals.
Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic-control signals exhibiting the words “GO”, “CAUTION” or “STOP” or exhibiting different colored lights successively one at a time, the following colors shall be used, and the terms and lights shall indicate as follows:
A. Green alone or “GO”:
1. Vehicular traffic facing the signal shall proceed either straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn, except that:
2. Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or the adjacent crosswalks at the time such signal is exhibited.
3. Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within marked or unmarked crosswalk. (Ord. 79-20 § 5, 1979; Ord. 196 § 24, 1938; Code 1975 § 523).
10.16.060 Flashing Yellow Light.
When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with added caution. (Ord. 196 § 25, 1938; Code 1975 § 524).
10.16.070 Push Button Signals.
No person shall operate a pedestrian push button signal other than a pedestrian for the purpose of immediately crossing the roadway. (Ord. 196 § 26, 1938; Code 1975 § 525).
10.16.080 Emergency Traffic-Control Devices.
The Chief of Police is authorized in cases of emergency in which in her/his opinion such controls are necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare, to erect or install or cause to have installed any sign, signal, marking or device which s/he deems necessary to control traffic during the period of emergency. (Ord. 273 C.S. § 1, 1972; Code 1975 § 525.1).