Chapter 10.15
OPERATION OF VEHICLES GENERALLY
Sections:
10.15.010 Special speed limits in congested areas or at dangerous points.
10.15.020 Speed limit in parks.
10.15.030 Driving across newly made pavement.
10.15.040 Driving on steep grades.
10.15.050 Blocking or impeding traffic by lack of snow tires or tire chains.
10.15.060 Obstructing intersections or crosswalks.
10.15.070 Driving through funeral or other processions.
10.15.080 Driving in funeral or other processions.
10.15.090 Stop and yield intersections.
10.15.100 Entering or leaving limited-access roadway.
10.15.110 Driving on play streets.
10.15.120 Driving to scene of police investigation.
10.15.130 Limitations on backing.
10.15.140 Driving dangerous vehicle or when vision obscured.
10.15.150 Operation of go-carts on streets.
10.15.010 Special speed limits in congested areas or at dangerous points.
The city manager, with the approval of the city council, may decrease the speed limits established by Sections 46.2-870 – 46.2-878 of the Code of Virginia in congested areas or at dangerous points on the streets of the city. Whenever speed limits so designated by the manager are clearly indicated by signs or markers, it shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate a vehicle at a speed in excess of such limits. (Code 1964, § 15-70; Code 1985, § 16-48).
State law reference – Authority to decrease speed limits established by state law, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1300.
10.15.020 Speed limit in parks.
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any vehicle in a city park at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour. (Code 1964, § 15-70; Code 1985, § 16-49).
Cross reference – Parks and recreation, Ch. 2.80 SCC.
10.15.030 Driving across newly made pavement.
No person shall drive any vehicle over or across any newly made pavement in any public street, across or around which pavement there is a barrier or a sign warning persons not to drive over or across such pavement, or a sign stating that the street is closed. (Code 1964, § 15-56; Code 1985, § 16-50).
10.15.040 Driving on steep grades.
The driver of a motor vehicle descending or ascending steep grades shall hold such motor vehicle under control and as near the right-hand side of the street as reasonably possible. (Code 1964, § 15-57; Code 1985, § 16-51).
10.15.050 Blocking or impeding traffic by lack of snow tires or tire chains.
(1) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any motor vehicle to block or impede the orderly flow of traffic on any street within the city by reason of not having adequate snow tires or tire chains on his vehicle when snow and ice, either or both, are on the streets.
(2) When any motor vehicle without snow tires or tire chains shall become stalled on the traveled portion of a street of the city, it shall be prima facie evidence that the operator of such vehicle was in violation of this section.
(3) Any person violating this section shall, upon conviction, be fined not exceeding $25.00 for each such offense. (Code 1964, §§ 15-57.1; Code 1985, § 16-52).
State law reference – Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1302.
10.15.060 Obstructing intersections or crosswalks.
No driver of a vehicle shall enter an intersection or a marked cross-walk, unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed. (Code 1985, § 16-53).
10.15.070 Driving through funeral or other processions.
No operator of a vehicle shall drive between the vehicles, persons or animals comprising a funeral or other authorized procession, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. This provision shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles. (Code 1985, § 16-54).
State law reference – Right-of-way of funeral processions under police escort, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-828.
10.15.080 Driving in funeral or other processions.
Each driver of a vehicle in a funeral or other procession shall drive as near to the right-hand edge of the roadway as practical and shall follow the vehicle ahead as close as is practical and safe. (Code 1985, § 16-55).
10.15.090 Stop and yield intersections.
The city manager may designate intersections at which vehicles shall come to a full stop or yield the right-of-way and may cause to be erected appropriate signs or markers at such intersections, so that an ordinarily observant person will be aware of the existence of such designation. When such signs or markers have been so erected, the duty of drivers approaching the same shall be as prescribed by the state law adopted by SCC 10.05.100. (Code 1964, §§ 15-17,15-129; Code 1985, § 16-56).
State law references – Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1301; duty of drivers approaching stop or yield sign, § 46.2-821.
10.15.100 Entering or leaving limited-access roadway.
No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any limited-access roadway, except at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority. (Code 1985, § 16-57).
10.15.110 Driving on play streets.
(1) When authorized, signs are erected indicating any street or part thereof as a play street, no person shall drive a vehicle upon such street or portion thereof, except drivers of vehicles having business or whose residences are within such closed area, and then any such driver shall exercise the greatest care in driving upon such street or portion thereof.
(2) Constitution Drive, situated within Gypsy Hill Park, is hereby designated a play street under authority of Section 46.2-932 of the Code of Virginia. On said street, the use of roller skates, skate boards or roller blades or other devices on wheels or runners are permitted; provided, however, all such devices must be operated in a clockwise direction on said street facing motor vehicular traffic. No person riding on any bicycle, moped, roller skates, roller blades, skate boards or other devices on wheels or runners shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle on the roadway. (Code 1985, § 16-58; Ord. 6-28-95).
10.15.120 Driving to scene of police investigation.
It shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, having information that police have been requested or directed to proceed to any place in the city for the purpose of investigating an accident or a suspected violation of law, to drive his vehicle to such place or the vicinity thereof, except on official business. The presence, at or near any such place, of a vehicle equipped with a radio tunable to police emergency frequencies shall be prima facie evidence that such vehicle was driven to such place in violation of this section. (Code 1985, § 16-59).
10.15.130 Limitations on backing.
No vehicle shall be backed on any street without the driver first indicating, by some sign or signal, his intention to back and no vehicle shall be backed on any street if, by so doing, any other vehicle is impeded or any pedestrian is endangered. No vehicle shall, in any event or on any street, be backed a greater distance than 25 feet, unless it is necessary to relieve a traffic jam or on orders from a police officer. (Code 1985, § 16-60).
10.15.140 Driving dangerous vehicle or when vision obscured.
No vehicle shall be driven or operated in the city when so constructed, including equipment, or loaded as to be dangerous or to retard or prevent the driver from having a view sufficient for safety. (Code 1985, § 16-61).
10.15.150 Operation of go-carts on streets.
It shall be unlawful for any person to drive, on the streets of the city, any self-propelled vehicle of the type commonly known as a “go-cart,” weighing less than 500 pounds and designed for transporting a person. (Code 1985, § 16-62).