Chapter 10-44 DRIVING RULES

It is unlawful for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in the ordinance codified in this title. (Ord. 1668 § 8.1, 1964)

10-44-020 Public employees.

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, or any political subdivision thereof, 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 state statute. (Ord. 1668 § 8.2, 1964)

10-44-030 Obedience to police and fire department orders.

No person shall wilfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of a police officer, fire department official, or any other authorized officer. (Ord. 1668 § 8.3, 1964)

10-44-040 Play streets—Traffic restrictions.

Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating any street or part thereof as a play street, no person shall drive a vehicle upon any such street or portion thereof except drivers of vehicles having business or whose residences are within such closed area, and then any said driver shall exercise the greatest care in driving upon any such street or portion thereof. (Ord. 1668 § 8.6, 1964)

10-44-050 Use of mass transportation lanes by other vehicles prohibited.

When mass transportation lanes are designated and indicated by appropriate signs and markings, it is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle other than a mass transportation vehicle to enter or use any such mass transportation lane. (Ord. 1668 § 8.9, 1964)

10-44-060 Driving from or onto controlled-access highway.

No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from the roadway of any controlled-access highway except at such entrances and exists as are established by public authority. (Ord. 1668 § 8-12, 1964)

10-44-070 Obstruction of traffic.

The operator of a vehicle shall not so operate such vehicle or allow the same to remain upon any street in such a manner as to form an unreasonable obstruction to the traffic thereon. (Ord. 1668 § 8-12, 1964)

10-44-080 Negligent driving.

It is unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle upon a public way negligently, heedlessly and without due caution in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property. (Ord. 1668 § 8-14, 1964)

10-44-090 Drive or move vehicle in unsafe conditions.

It is unlawful for any person to drive or move, or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any roadway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person or property, or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this title, or which is equipped in any manner in violation of this title, or for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required under this title. (Ord. 1668 § 8-17, 1964)

10-44-100 Pulling out from parked position.

No person shall move a vehicle which is stopped, standing, or parked on any roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. (Ord. 1668 § 8-19, 1964)

10-44-110 Use of horns and signal devices.

A. The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn at any time.

B. The sounding of any horn or signal device on any automobile, motorcycle, bus, or other vehicle while stationary, except as a danger signal when an approaching vehicle is apparently out of control, or, if in motion, only as a danger signal after or as brakes are being applied and deceleration of the vehicle is intended, or the creation by means of any such signal device of any unreasonably loud or harsh sound or the sounding of any such device for an unnecessary and unreasonable period of time, is prohibited. (Ord. 1668 § 8-23, 1964)

10-44-120 Towing or pushing.

A. When one vehicle is towing another, the drawbar or other connection shall be of sufficient strength to pull all weight towed thereby and said drawbar or other connection shall not exceed eight feet.

B. When one vehicle is towing another and the connection consists of a chain, rope or cable, there shall be displayed upon such connection a yellow flag or cloth not less than sixteen (16) inches square.

C. No person shall push a vehicle with another vehicle upon any public way for a distance greater than six hundred (600) feet.

D. Every disabled vehicle being pushed or towed on any public way between the hour of sunset and the hour of sunrise shall display a red light plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the sides and rear thereof. Said red light shall be in addition to any other lights required by any law or ordinance.

E. No person shall drive any vehicle pushing or towing a disabled vehicle at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper having regard to the traffic and the use of the way or so as to endanger life or limb or injure the property of any person.

F. It shall be the duty of every person operating a commercial towing vehicle or a towing vehicle for him in the city to make out and deliver to the chief of police every day, before the hour of twelve noon, a legible and correct report, on a form prescribed by the chief of police, of every motor vehicle picked up or towed by such operator from any public way in the city during the preceding twenty-four (24) hours, which report shall contain the date upon which such towing service was performed, the make of the vehicle towed, its type, state license number, city license number, engine number, serial or factory number, the owner’s name and address, the name and address of the person requesting the towing service, and in case the vehicle was chauffeur-driven the name and license number of the chauffeur, and also the location from which towed and the location to which the vehicle was towed; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall require the making of such report by any person operating a towing vehicle exclusively for the purpose of towing vehicles owned by such person. (Ord. 1668 § 8-25, 1964)

10-44-130 Starting parked vehicle.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-803, as amended, are adopted as follows:

No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-140 When signal required.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-804, as amended, are adopted as follows:

A. No person may turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in Section 10-24-040 or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. No person may so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided.

B. A signal of intention to turn right or left when required must be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the vehicle before turning within a business or residence district, and such signal must be given continuously during not less than the last two hundred (200) feet traveled by the vehicle before turning outside a business or residence district.

C. No person may stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in this chapter to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such a signal.

D. The electric turn signal device required in Section 5/12-208 of the Illinois Vehicle Code must be used to indicate an intention to turn, change lanes or start from a parallel parked position but must not be flashed on one side only on a parked or disabled vehicle or flashed as a courtesy or “do pass” signal to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear. However, such signal devices may be flashed simultaneously on both sides of a motor vehicle to indicate the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking and passing. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-150 Signal by hand or arm or signal device.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-805, as amended, are adopted as follows:

Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by an electric turn signal device conforming to the requirements provided in Section 5/12-208 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-160 Method of giving hand and arm signals.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-806, as amended, are adopted as follows:

All signals herein required given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows:

A. Left turn — Hand and arm extended horizontally;

B. Right turn — Hand and arm extended upward;

C. Stop or decrease of speed — Hand and arm extended downward. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-170 Driving through safety zone prohibited.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1104, as amended, are adopted as follows:

No vehicle shall at any time be driven through or within a safety zone. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-180 Unattended motor vehicles.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1401, as amended, are adopted as follows:

No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition, effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-190 Limitations on backing.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1402, as amended, are adopted as follows:

A. The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic.

B. The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same upon any shoulder or roadway of any controlled-access highway. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-200 Riding on motorcycles.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1403, as amended, are adopted as follows:

A. A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.

B. A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on each side of the motorcycle.

C. No person shall operate any motorcycle with handlebars higher than the height of the shoulders of the operator when the operator is seated in the normal driving position astride that portion of the seat or saddle occupied by the operator. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-210 Riding on motorized pedalcycles.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1403.1, as amended, are adopted as follows:

A. The operator of a motorized pedalcycle shall ride only astride the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and shall not permit two persons to ride thereon at the same time, unless the motorized pedalcycle is designed to carry two persons; any motorized pedalcycle designed for two persons must be equipped with a passenger seat and footrests for use of a passenger.

B. The provisions of Act 5, Article XI of the Illinois Vehicle Code, shall be applicable to the operation of motorized pedalcycles, except for those provisions which by their nature can have no application to motorized pedalcycles. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-220 Obstruction of driver’s view or driving mechanism.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1406, as amended, are adopted as follows:

A. No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat such a number of persons, exceeding three, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver’s control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.

B. No passenger in a vehicle or streetcar shall ride in such position as to interfere with the driver’s or motorman’s view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with his control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle or streetcar.

C. No passenger on a school bus may ride or stand in a position as to interfere with the driver’s view ahead or to the side or to the rear, or to interfere with his control of the driving mechanism of the bus. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-230 Coasting prohibited.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1410, as amended, are adopted as follows:

A. The driver of any motor vehicle when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the gears or transmission of such vehicle in neutral.

B. The driver of a truck or bus when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the clutch disengaged. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-240 Following fire apparatus prohibited.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1411, as amended, are adopted as follows:

The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred (500) feet or stop such vehicle within five hundred (500) feet of any fire apparatus stopped in answer to a fire alarm. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-250 Crossing fire hose.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1412, as amended, are adopted as follows:

No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a fire department when laid down on any street, private road or driveway to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the fire department official in command. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-260 Driving upon sidewalk.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1412.1, as amended, are adopted as follows:

No person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway. This section does not apply to any vehicle moved exclusively by human power nor to any motorized wheelchair. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)

10-44-270 Conditions for operating ambulances and rescue vehicles.

The provisions of Illinois Vehicle Code § 5/11-1421, as amended, are adopted as follows:

A. No person shall operate an ambulance or rescue vehicle in a manner not conforming to the motor vehicle laws and regulations of this state or of any political subdivision of this state as such laws and regulations apply to motor vehicles in general, unless in compliance with the following conditions:

1. The person operating the ambulance shall be either responding to a bona fide emergency call or specifically directed by a licensed physician to disregard traffic laws in operating the ambulance during and for the purpose of the specific trip or journey that is involved;

2. The ambulance or rescue vehicle shall be equipped with a siren producing an audible signal of an intensity of one hundred (100) decibels at a distance of fifty (50) feet from the siren, and with a lamp or lamps emitting an oscillating, rotating or flashing red beam directed in part toward the front of the vehicle, and these lamps shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at five hundred (500) feet in normal sunlight, and in addition to other lighting requirements, excluding those vehicles operating in counties with a population in excess of two million (2,000,000), may also operate with a lamp or lamps emitting an oscillating, rotating or flashing green light

3. The aforesaid siren and lamp or lamps shall be in operation at all times when it is reasonably necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof during such trip or journey;

4. Whenever the ambulance or rescue vehicle is operating at a speed in excess of forty (40) miles per hour, the ambulance or rescue vehicle shall be operated in complete conformance with every other motor vehicle law and regulation of this state and of the political subdivision in which the ambulance or rescue vehicle is operated, relating to the operation of motor vehicles, as such provision applies to motor vehicles in general, except laws and regulations pertaining to compliance with official traffic-control devices or to vehicular operation upon the right half of the roadway; and

5. The ambulance shall display registration plates identifying the vehicle as an ambulance.

B. The foregoing provisions do not relieve the driver of an ambulance or rescue vehicle from the duty of driving with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor do such provisions protect the driver from the consequences resulting from the reckless disregard for the safety of others. (Ord. 2910 § 5 (Par. I (part)), 1995)