ARTICLE II. OPERATION OF VEHICLES GENERALLY1
20-23 Authority to regulate generally.
(a) The board of traffic commissioners may adopt regulations as to:
(1) The operation, use and parking of motor vehicles;
(2) Traffic lights (but not their meaning);
(3) Stop signs and yield-right-of-way signs at intersections;
(4) No-passing zones; and
(5) Streets designated for one-way traffic.
(b) The board of traffic commissioners may also cause any street of adequate width to be divided by appropriate markings into three (3) or more lanes, and may, by ordinance or regulations, regulate the direction of travel of vehicles proceeding in such lanes, the turning of vehicles proceeding in such lanes, and the passing of vehicles in one (1) lane overtaking vehicles in another lane, but signs indicating such special regulations must be conspicuously posted in and near all areas affected thereby.
Charter reference—Board of traffic commissioners generally, § 48 (LVIII).
Cross reference—Rules and regulations of traffic commission, App. C.
State law reference—Similar provisions, 23 V.S.A. § 1008.
20-24 License to operate required.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle unless duly licensed to do so.
20-25 Duty to drive on right.
Operators of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall exercise due care and shall keep to the right of the center of the highway so as to pass without interference.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5151; 1969 Cum. Supp., § 5151)
State law reference—Similar provisions, 23 V.S.A. § 1032.
20-26 Stops at intersections.
(a) When stop signs are erected at or near the entrance to any intersection, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or if there is no crosswalk shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection, except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic control-signal.
(b) After the driver of a vehicle has stopped in obedience to a stop sign at an intersection where a stop sign is erected at one (1) or more entrances thereto, such driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate hazard, but said driver having so yielded may proceed and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle so proceeding.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5205; 1969 Cum. Supp., § 5205)
Cross reference—Location of stop signs, App. C, § 3.
20-27 Yield right-of-way.
(a) The police department shall place yield-right-of-way signs in such locations, and shall make such changes in their location from time to time, as the board of traffic commissioners shall direct.
(b) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to such sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, or shall stop if necessary, and shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian legally crossing the roadway on which he is driving, and to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(c) A driver who enters a yield intersection without stopping and has or causes a collision with a pedestrian in a crosswalk or a vehicle in the intersection shall prima facie be considered not to have yielded as required herein. The foregoing shall not relieve the drivers of other vehicles approaching the intersection at such distance as not to constitute an immediate hazard from the duty to drive with due care to avoid a collision.
(d) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign if required for safety to stop shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, §§ 5203, 5207; 1969 Cum. Supp., § 5207)
Cross reference—Locations of yield-right-of-way signs designated, App. C, § 4.
20-28 Approaching intersecting highways; turns at intersections.
All intersecting highways shall be approached and entered slowly and with due care to avoid accidents. In making a turn to the right into an intersecting highway vehicles shall keep to the right of the center of both intersecting highways and close to the right-hand side of the same. In making a turn to the left into an intersecting highway, the operator of the vehicle about to make such turn shall reduce speed as an indication of his intention to make the turn and pass to the right of and beyond the center of the highway intersection before turning.
Cross reference—Locations where left turns prohibited, App. C, § 6.
State law reference—Similar provisions, 23 V.S.A. § 1034.
20-29 Procedure upon approach of emergency vehicle.
Upon the approach of an emergency vehicle, it shall be the duty of the driver of any vehicle to move such vehicle to the right of the center of the street without delay and stop, so as to give such emergency vehicle free and unobstructed passage.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5152)
State law reference—Right-of-way of emergency vehicles, 23 V.S.A. § 1033.
20-30 Following fire apparatus.
No operator of a motor vehicle other than one on official business shall follow any fire apparatus traveling to an emergency closer than five hundred (500) feet or in such a manner as to interfere with the suppression of a fire or the handling of such emergency or so as to endanger the life of any occupant of such fire apparatus, or thereafter park his vehicle so as to interfere with the suppression of a fire or the handling of such emergency.
Cross reference—Entry in area near fire restricted, § 13-9.
State law reference—Similar provisions, 23 V.S.A. § 1093.
20-31 Driving over fire hose.
No motor vehicle shall be operated over any unprotected hose of a fire department when laid down on any street, private driveway or roadway, to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the fire department official in command.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5153)
State law reference—Similar provisions, 23 V.S.A. § 1094.
20-32 Manner of overtaking and passing vehicles.
(a) An operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass such vehicle at a safe distance to the left thereof, but in so doing shall exercise due care and shall not pass to the left of the center of the highway unless the way ahead is clear of approaching traffic. The operator of the vehicle overtaken shall promptly, upon suitable and audible signal being given by the operator of the overtaking vehicle, turn to the right-hand side of the highway to allow free passage on his left, and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the over-taking vehicle.
(b) An operator of a motor vehicle that is passing a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction shall exercise due care by leaving a distance between the motor vehicle and the bicyclist of not less than three (3) feet while the motor vehicle is passing the bicycle.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5154; 1969 Cum. Supp., § 5154; Ord. of 9-13-10, eff. 10-13-10)
20-33 Authority to designate one-way streets.
(a) The traffic commission shall have the authority to designate any street or portion of a street as a one-way street and shall indicate the direction of travel on such streets.
(b) Whenever the traffic commission designates a one-way street, it shall cause signs to be placed indicating the direction in which travel is permitted. Such signs shall be placed in such locations as are necessary to insure safety.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5251)
Cross reference—One-way streets designated, App. C, § 5.
20-34 Manner of passing on one-way streets.
On those streets of the city designated for one-way traffic, and on those streets of the city where, by appropriate pavement markings, more than one lane of traffic is designated for vehicles proceeding in the same direction, it shall be lawful to overtake and pass a vehicle proceeding in the same direction on either side thereof.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5253)
20-35 Signal of intention to change lanes required.
The operator of any vehicle upon any street shall, before turning his vehicle from one traffic lane into another traffic lane, indicate by hand signal or directional light his intention to do so.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5253)
20-36 When passing prohibited.
A vehicle shall not pass another from the rear at the top of a hill or on a curve where the view ahead is in any wise obstructed, or while the vehicle ahead is crossing an intersecting highway or is about to turn into the same.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5154; 1969 Cum. Supp., § 5154)
20-37 Obedience to lane markings required.
Where traffic lanes are so marked as to indicate their use for right turn only, left turn only, through traffic only, or a combination of the same, no person shall operate a motor vehicle except in the direction indicated by such markings.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5253)
20-38 Manner of turning, starting or stopping.
The driver or person operating any vehicle, before turning the corner of any street, or turning out, or starting from, or stopping at the curbline of any street, shall first see that there is sufficient space free from other vehicles so that each turn, stop or start may be safely made, and shall then give such signal as is required by the regulations of the state motor vehicle department.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5155)
Cross reference—Bicyclists to give signal for turning and stops, § 6-8.
20-39 Reserved.
Editor’s note—A regulation adopted July 8, 2020, deleted § 20-39, which pertained to speed limits and derived from Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5751; Cum. Supp. 85151; and regulations adopted Sept. 8, 1980; Nov. 3, 1980; Dec. 7, 1981; June 7, 1982; Dec. 2, 1985; June 25, 1986; July 30, 1986; Aug. 27, 1986; Sept. 25, 1986; Oct. 22, 1986; Dec. 3, 1986; Feb. 25, 1987; Mar. 25, 1987; Apr. 29, 1987; May 29, 1987; Sept. 30, 1987; May 25, 1988; June 28, 1989; Aug. 30, 1989; Jan. 30, 1991; a resolution adopted Feb. 18, 1998; regulations adopted May 26, 1999; Aug. 25, 1999; May 24, 2000; Oct. 4, 2000; Dec. 5, 2001; Feb. 6, 2002; Apr. 3, 2002; Apr. 8, 2003; June 9, 2004; Dec. 1, 2004; Sept. 7, 2005; Jan. 9, 2008; Sept. 9, 2009; June 15, 2011; and Oct. 16, 2011.
20-40 Reserved.
Editor’s note—A regulation adopted July 8, 2020, deleted § 20-40, which pertained to speed limits in school zones and derived from Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5151 and a regulation adopted Aug. 19, 1974.
20-41 Authority to designate school zones and erect signs.
The traffic commission is hereby authorized to establish school zones by causing the same to be designated by appropriate signs indicating the speed limit and erected not more than five hundred (500) feet in advance of a school ground or of a pedestrian crossing customarily used by school pupils.
(Rev. Ords. 1962, § 5151)
20-42 Authority to restrict use of streets by trucks.
(a) The traffic commission shall have the authority to prohibit or restrict the use of streets or portions thereof to trucks exceeding specified lengths or weights.
(b) Whenever any truck is prohibited or restricted from using any street or portion thereof, suitable signs plainly indicating such prohibition or restriction shall be conspicuously posted.
Cross reference—Streets where truck traffic prohibited or restricted, App. C, § 1.
20-43 Designation of through truck routes.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to create and preserve livable neighborhoods by promoting the health, safety and general welfare of all the inhabitants of the City of Burlington and its visitors; to protect and conserve the value of its citizens property; to secure safety; and to minimize damage to its streets and roadways.
(b) "Truck" defined. The term "truck," as used in this section, shall mean and include any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, at least one of which shall be motorized, which vehicle or combination of vehicles has a total vehicle weight in excess of twenty thousand (20,000) pounds. Total vehicle weight shall be computed as required by 23 V.S.A. chapter 7 section 367.
(c) "Calm zone" defined. The term "calm zone," as used in this section, shall mean and is defined as an area in the City of Burlington entirely bounded by truck routes, as established in and by this regulation and either areas of the City of Burlington bounded by truck route(s), Lake Champlain or the city limits.
(d) Prohibition of through-truck traffic. No truck shall be allowed to operate or move upon any highway or road in the city except upon those highways and roads designated as truck routes pursuant to Appendix C, Rules of the Traffic Commission. This section shall not apply to trucks making local delivery or providing services, provided that these trucks travel into the prohibited area by the most direct route and return by way of the same.
(Reg. of 8-14-96; Reg. of 10-20-10(1), eff. 11-24-10)
20-44 Stop when traffic obstructed.
No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle they are operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed.
(Reg. of 6-11-08(1))
20-45—20-52 Reserved.
Cross reference—Motor vehicles subject to park regulations while in park, § 22-16.