Chapter 13.04 GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chapter 13.04
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sections:

13.04.030 Authority of school crossing guards.

13.04.040 Applicability to emergency vehicles.

13.04.050 Police and fire vehicle drivers exempted from regulations.

13.04.010 Applicability and citation.

This title shall be applicable to all vehicular traffic of every nature and description, including but not limited to trailers, wagons, vans, buses, automobiles and trucks. This title shall be known as the “Vehicles and Traffic Regulations for the City of Takoma Park, Maryland” and may be referred to and cited as such. (Prior code § 13-1)

13.04.020 Definitions.

As used in this title:

“Commercial vehicle” means any vehicle designed for and regularly used for carrying freight or merchandise.

“Crosswalk” means continuations of sidewalk space across all intersections, streets, highways or public ways.

“Device” means any marking, sign or other traffic direction erected for the purpose of directing, warning or regulating traffic.

“Driver” or “operator” means any person who is in actual control of a vehicle.

“Flat-top speed hump” or “speed table” means a raised section of asphalt or other construction material constructed on a roadway, with an approximately 10-foot flat section measured parallel to the curblines and with a height of approximately three inches. Such “flat-top speed humps” shall be installed for the purpose of improving pedestrian and traffic safety.

“Intersection” means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curblines or, if none, then of the lateral boundary lines of two or more highways which join one another at an angle, whether or not one highway crosses the other.

“Motor vehicle” means every vehicle designed, constructed or intended to be propelled or drawn by any power other than muscular power, including but not limited to automobiles, motorcycles, motor-bicycles, tractors and trailers.

“One-way street” means a public highway upon which vehicular traffic is permitted to move in one direction only.

“Parking or standing” means leaving any vehicle standing on a public highway, whether or not attended.

“Pedestrian” means any person afoot.

“Private roadway or driveway” means every road or way not open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

“Public highway or highways” means any street, road, way or thoroughfare used by the public for vehicular travel.

“Raised walkway” means an area of raised pavement located at an uncontrolled pedestrian crosswalk. The raised walkway shall be approximately three inches high, approximately 22 feet long, with a 10-foot flat area and shall be striped as a crosswalk.

“Roadway” means that portion of a street or highway between the regularly established curblines or that part improved and intended for vehicular travel.

“School bus” means only buses painted orange and black, with orange predominating, and equipped with “School Bus” signs and with stop sign up and visible.

“Sidewalk” means that portion of a public highway between the building line and the curbline designed for pedestrian traffic.

“Speed hump” means a raised section of asphalt or other construction material constructed on a roadway, with a dip and crown shape as viewed in cross section, on a base approximately 12 feet long, measured parallel to the curblines of the roadway, and with a height of not less than three inches nor more than four inches. Such “speed humps” shall be installed for the purpose of improving pedestrian and traffic safety.

“Traffic” means and includes not only motor vehicles, but also vehicles of every description and pedestrians and animals.

“Traffic calming devices” include signs, pavement markings, speed humps, raised walkways, flat-top speed humps or speed tables, and other physical devices placed or installed on a highway which limit access, restrict traffic flow, or channel or slow vehicle movement for the purpose of reducing traffic hazards and improving pedestrian safety.

“Traffic sign” means every device or sign erected or placed upon or along a highway for the purpose of directing, warning or regulating traffic, including but not limited to stop signs, slow signs, traffic lights and all parking signs regulating the time of or forbidding parking.

“Unregistered vehicle” means any motor vehicle, except a vehicle exempted from registration by State law, which does not have valid registration plates or which has expired registration plates or stickers or fictitious registration plates or stickers attached to the vehicle.

“Vehicle” means any conveyance or appliance moved over a highway. (Ord. 2011-29 § 1 (part), 2011/Ord. 2004-38 § 1 (part), 2004/Ord. 2002-36 § 1 (part), 2002/prior code § 13-2)

13.04.030 Authority of school crossing guards.

A. School crossing guards, hired by the City and appropriately uniformed so as to be identified as guards of the City by motorists and pedestrians who can recognize and respond to their signals, are authorized to be assigned traffic control duties which include directing traffic at school and church crossings and such other traffic control duties as may be designated by the Mayor, City Administrator, Police Chief or his or her designee(s).

B. School crossing guards shall have the power the control vehicular traffic as necessary and consistent with the safety of school children and pedestrians, including the power to signal, stop or otherwise direct vehicular traffic so as to permit safe crossing of persons in the school or church crossing area. In the control of vehicular traffic, they should pick opportune times to create a safe gap. At these times, their presence in the roadway serves as an easily recognized indication that pedestrians are about to use the crosswalk and that all traffic must stop.

C. It is unlawful for any person to fail to obey or comply with the lawful signal or order of a school crossing guard. (Prior code § 13-3.1)

13.04.040 Applicability to emergency vehicles.

Nothing contained in this title shall be deemed to apply to any driver or operator of any emergency vehicle of the State or County and any medical emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency call or when engaged in the performance of their official duties, except as specifically provided herein. (Prior code § 13-5)