ORDINANCE NO. 309
An emergency ordinance regulating street traffic of the City of Grand Junction and repealing Ordinance #289, passed and adopted December 2nd, 1919, and entitled, "An ordinance regulating street traffic of the City of Grand Junction."
WHEREAS, for the preservation of the public safety, it has become necessary to more fully regulate the street traffic in the City of Grand Junction.
THEREFORE: BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO:
Section 1. TERMS
The following definitions define the meaning of certain words as appearing in this ordinance:
STREET - That part of the public highway intended for vehicles.
MOTOR VEHICLE - All vehicles propelled by any power other than muscular power, which do not run upon a rail.
CHAUFFEUR - Any person operating a motor vehicle for hire, or as the employee of the owner thereof.
DRIVER - Rider, driver or leader of a horse; a person who pushes, draws, propels, operates, or is in charge of a vehicle.
VEHICLE - All conveyances, except a baby carriage or a street car.
HORSE - Any draft animal or beast of burden.
CONGESTED DISTRICT - Shall include Main street and Colorado Avenue between the east side of Seventh street and the west side of Second street; also all streets intersecting Main street so limited within a distance of 270 feet from said street; also Second street from Main street to the north line of South avenue.
CURB - The boundaries of a street, as defined above.
PARKED - A waiting vehicle, except vehicles stopped to load or unload.
STREET INTERSECTION - Any street which joins another at any angle, whether it crosses the street or not.
Section 2. CITY MANAGER - AUTHORITY
The City Manager shall have control of traffic of every kind in streets and shall enforce regulations in regard thereto not inconsistent with the specific provisions of this ordinance.
Section 3. AGE LIMIT
No person under the age of fifteen (15) years shall drive any motor vehicle upon the streets or alleys of said city.
Section 4. INTOXICATION
No person, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, shall drive any kind of a vehicle on the streets.
Section 5. LEARNING TO DRIVE
Persons learning to drive are prohibited from driving in the congested district.
Section 6. MOVING VEHICLES
(a) Vehicles shall keep as near as practicable to the right-hand curb so as to leave the center of the street clear for overtaking traffic, the slower the speed the nearer the curb.
Vehicles on streets divided longitudinally by a parkway, walk, sunkenway or isle of safety shall keep to the right of such division.
Vehicles passing around a circle shall keep to the right from entrance to exit.
Vehicles meeting shall pass to the right.
(b) Vehicles overtaking another vehicle shall pass to the left, and not pull over to the right until entirely clear of the overtaken vehicle, except in overtaking a street car, when the overtaking vehicle shall keep to the right. Provided, however, that no vehicle shall pass around another on any street intersection.
(c) Overloading
No vehicle shall be so overloaded that the horse or horses, or motor power, shall be unable to move it readily.
Section 7. RIGHT-OF-WAY
(a) Every driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection of a street shall grant the right-of-way at such intersection to any vehicle approaching from the right, provided that wherever traffic officers are stationed they shall have full power to regulate traffic.
(b) Emergency Vehicles
Vehicles of the Police Department, Fire Department, Ambulances, and of physicians and surgeons, when on emergency calls, shall have the right-of-way on any street and through any procession. On the approach of any Police or Fire Department vehicle, responding to a call and sounding the siren or bell, the driver of any vehicle shall immediately drive close to the right-hand curb and stop, and the motorman of any streetcar shall immediately stop his car or give way.
(c) Street Cars
Street cars shall have the right-of-way except as herein otherwise provided, but the person in charge thereof shall exercise proper care not to injure pedestrians, vehicles, the occupants or contents thereof. The driver or person in control of any vehicle in front of a street car shall immediately turn out on signal from the motorman or person in control of the street car.
Section 8. SPEED
Every person operating a vehicle shall proceed with great caution, especially in making turns, in crossing other streets and crosswalks and in passing street cars and other vehicles.
Driving at a speed greater than twelve (12) miles per hour across street intersections and in streets adjacent to a school house between the hours of 8 A.M. and 4 P.M. on days when school is in session therein or at a speed greater than twenty (20) miles per hour between street intersections is prohibited. Provided, however, that no motor truck of over three (3) tons capacity shall proceed at a greater speed than ten miles per hour in the congested district, or at a greater speed than fifteen (15) miles outside the congested district.
It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to cross any sidewalk, or to approach the entrance to any alley or to emerge from any alley onto or across a sidewalk, or onto a street, at a speed faster than four miles an hour, and without giving warning to pedestrians and to other vehicles by sounding a horn or bell or other emergency alarm.
Section 9. LIGHTS
During the period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise all motor vehicles shall, while being operated, display two white lights in lamps on the front of such vehicle and one red light in a lamp on the rear of such vehicle, and such rear lamp shall show a white light across the rear of the vehicle so as to make visible the license number of said vehicle. Provided, however, that street cars and motorcycles shall display only one headlight.
Motor vehicle headlights shall produce sufficient light to reveal objects 150 feet ahead, and shall be permanently adjusted and equiped in such manner as will eliminate all glare.
Vehicles and street cars lighted with head lights shall have right-of-way over vehicles not displaying headlights.
Parked motor vehicles, during the period between one-half hour after sunset, and one-half hour before sunrise, and at all other times when there is insufficient light to reveal the vehicle 150 feet from the rear, shall be required to display one red light, visible only from the rear, and when parked on streets where there is sufficient light to clearly reveal the vehicle from a distance of at least 150 feet, no lights shall be required.
Section 10. BRAKES
Every motor vehicle shall be provided with at least two adequate brakes, each of which works independently of the other, except motorcycles, which shall be provided with not less than one adequate brake.
Section 11. SMOKE AND VAPOR
No motor vehicle shall be operated in such a way as to emit unnecessary smoke or offensive vapors.
Section 12. SIGNALS BY POLICE
Drivers and pedestrians must stop immediately upon request, or upon the signal from a police officer; such signal to be made by the officer raising his hand, using a semaphore, blowing a whistle, or in some other intelligible manner.
Section 13. WARNING SIGNALS
Every motor vehicle shall be provided with at least one adequate horn or bell, in working condition.
Siren whistles or whistles operated by condensed air, exhaust gas or steam shall not be used on any vehicle except those operated by the Police Department or Fire Department, when on emergency calls; also vehicles shall be prohibited from using the motor muffler cutout.
Section 14. TURNING TO LEFT - SIGNAL
Any vehicle turning into another street to the left shall pass to the right of any beyond the center of the street intersection before turning. The driver shall before turning give the signal by extending his left arm in a horizontal position beyond the left side of his vehicle.
Section 15. TURNING TO RIGHT - SIGNAL
Any vehicle turning into another street to the right shall turn the corner as near the right-hand curb as possible. The driver shall before turning give the signal by extending his left arm beyond the left side of the vehicle with the upper part of the arm horizontal and the forearm extended upward in a vertical position.
Section 16. STOPPING - SIGNAL
Before decreasing speed or stopping the driver of a vehicle shall warn those following him by extending his left arm in a horizontal position beyond the left side of his vehicle and waving the same up and down one or more times.
Section 17. BACKING - SIGNAL
Before backing a vehicle the driver shall give ample warning by extending the left arm horizontally beyond the left side of his vehicle and waving the same backwards one or more times, and while backing unceasing vigilance shall be exercised not to injure those behind.
Section 18. BACKING FOR POSITION
No vehicle shall be driven in a backward direction to make a turn on any street. No vehicle shall be driven in a backward direction farther than is absolutely necessary to avoid accident, or to put itself into such position as to enable it to properly proceed on its way.
Section 19. BACKING TO CURB
No vehicle shall remain backed up to the curb except it be actually loading or unloading and in no case longer than the actual loading or unloading requires.
If the vehicle be horse-drawn, the horse or horses shall be turned at right angles to the vehicle and in the direction in which traffic on that side of the street is moving.
Section 20. PARKING
(a) On all streets all vehicles shall stand with the right front wheel as close to the curb as practicable, and with space enough between rear right wheel and the curbing to allow another vehicle to stand between said right wheel and curbing. Vehicles shall not stop with the left side to the curb. Provided, however, that no vehicle shall be so parked that the rear end shall project more than twelve feet from the curb, measured at right angles.
(b) No vehicles shall be left standing at the curb within ten feet of any fire hydrant or ten feet from the property line of the cross street, or in front of any entrance or exit of any theater, place of public amusement, school, hospital, church, or any other building where there are public gatherings.
(c) No motor vehicle shall be left standing at the curb, unattended, unless the emergency brake is applied and left in that position, and the motor stopped, and in case of electrically-driven vehicles, the controller switch is locked.
Section 21. STREET CARS
(a) Operation.
Street cars shall not be run or operated in a reckless or careless manner and the speed at all times, and places shall be reasonable and with proper regards for the width, traffic and use of the street and all attendant circumstances, so as not to endanger the life or limb or property of any person. Passengers shall only be permitted to enter or leave street cars on the right side thereof.
(b) Vehicles stop for.
The driver of any motor vehicle shall bring the same to a full stop at least ten (10) feet from the nearest exist of any street car or interurban car which is on the same side of the street on which said vehicle is traveling and which he is about to pass, and which is stopping, or has stopped, for the purpose of taking on or discharging passengers, and shall remain standing until such car has taken on or discharged its passengers and again started, or is signaled to pass by the motorman or conductor. Where any street car or interurban car is waiting for time, or is stopping for any other purpose than to take on or let off passengers, either the conductor or motorman on said car shall signal such waiting vehicle to pass.
(c) Pedestrians - waiting for.
Pedestrians shall not cross a street other than at right angles, and preferably at a cross walk, and where a traffic policeman is stationed, wait for his signal; shall stand on the sidewalk while waiting for street cars until the street car is within 100 feet or less from the stopping place; shall face the front of the car when alighting and observe the traffic on the right before moving to the sidewalk, and if passing behine the car, observe the traffic in both directions.
Section 22. PARADES AND ASSEMBLAGES
The streets must not be used by anyone for any parade, procession or street assemblages without a permit from the City Manager.
No pedestrian or vehicle shall break over or cross through the line of a funeral procession upon any street. During parades the police may clear the streets and prohibit vehicles and pedestrians from crossing the street.
Section 23. SCATTERING ON STREET-LITTER
No vehicle shall be so loaded that the contents thereof shall fall therefrom on the street, thereby tending to litter the streets.
No person shall throw, place or deposit in or upon any public street, alley or roadway, any nails, tacks, clippings, or any other article or thing of any nature whatsoever, likely to injure the tires of any vehicle.
Section 24. PROJECTING MATERIALS
All vehicles loaded with materials projecting from the rear shall carry a red signal light at the extreme rear point of such projecting materials.
Section 25. BARRIERS
No vehicles shall drive over any newly made pavement where there is a barrier or sign warning persons not to drive over such pavement, or a sign stating that the street is closed.
Section 26. OBSTRUCTION - REPAIR
No repairing shall be done on any sidewalk, street or alley, except for emergency repairs or changing tires.
Section 27. STORAGE ON STREETS OR ALLEYS
No owner or occupant of any garage, livery stable, wagon or blacksmith shop, salesroom, or other place of business, shall suffer any wagon, car, carriage, dray, or other vehicles, whether left for safe keeping, repair, or otherwise, to be or remain on the sidewalk, street, or alley adjoining and in front of any such premises.
Section 28. TOWING DISABLED VEHICLES
No vehicle, unless confined to tracks, shall tow more than one other disabled vehicle, and the connection shall not be longer than sixteen feet.
Section 29. TAXI AND EXPRESS STAND PERMITS
Permits for express stands and for autos for hire may be granted on all streets by the City Manager; provided, that the consent of the adjoining property owner must be secured before such permit is granted; and provided further, that such permit may be revoked at any time by the City Manager, if the person having such permit fails to observe any of the provisions of this ordinance or any rules issued thereunder.
Section 30. TRACTORS PROHIBITED
Traction engines and tractors having lugs or spikes on their wheels shall not be driven on hard surface streets except upon planks affording sufficient protection to prevent injury to the pavement without special permission from the City Manager.
Section 31. MOTORCYCLES - BICYCLES
No person shall ride a bicycle on any sidewalk. Provided, however, that mail carriers, messenger boys, and newsboys shall be permitted to ride on the sidewalks where the streets are muddy or impassable, but all such persons shall be required to secure a permit from the City Manager, who shall furnish to such person a license number, which shall be attached to the front of said bicycle so as to be plainly seen at all times. A charge of fifty cents per year shall be made for such license, the term of same to extend from January 1st to December 31st of each year.
It shall be unlawful for any person riding a motorcycle, bicycle or tricycle or velocipede, to curve to and fro on such vehicle, or to proceed by "coasting" with the feet of the rider removed from the pedals; or to practice any trick or fancy riding in any street; or to carry any person upon such vehicle unless the same is provided with two seats; or to ride the same without having his hands on the handle bars.
No one riding a bicycle or motorcycle shall hold on to another motor vehicle or street car while the same is running.
Section 32. LICENSE PLATES
Each and every motor vehicle shall display two license number plates bearing the same registration number, one to be attached to the front and one to the rear of such vehicle, all such number plates shall be attached in such manner as to be conspicuously displayed at all times and so securely fastened as to prevent them from swinging. Such number plates are to be at all times parallel to the axle of said vehicle and to be kept free from grease and dirt. Provided, however, that trailers and motorcycles shall be required to display but one registration plate.
Section 33.
No one shall enter, ride upon, attach himself or his vehicle to any vehicle without the drivers consent.
Section 34. ACCIDENTS
In case of accident to or collision with a person or property upon any street, due to the driving or operation thereon of any vehicle, the driver of such vehicle shall stop and give such assistance as he can, and shall give his name and address to the person injured, or any other person requesting the same, and he shall immediately report such accident to the Police Department.
Section 35.
The driver or person in charge of a vehicle, when any offense under this ordinance is committed; shall be deemed the responsible person and liable to the penalties hereunder.
Section 36.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this ordinance, or any of the rules and regulations of the City Manager, made as authorized herein, shall upon conviction be fined in the sum of not less than two ($2.00) dollars nor more than three hundred ($300.00) dollars or sentenced to jail not to exceed 90 days, or be prohibited from driving any vehicle for a period of not to exceed 90 days.
Section 37.
That Ordinance #289, passed and adopted the 2nd day of December, A.D. 1919 and entitled, "An ordinance regulating street traffic of the City of Grand Junction", be and the same is hereby repealed.
Section 38.
That in the opinion of the City Council a special emergency exists for the preservation of the public safety and this ordinance shall therefore go into effect upon its passage.
Passed and adopted this 21st day of February, A.D. 1922.
/s/ W.G. Hirons
________
President of Council
Attest:
/s/ Fred A. Peck
________
City Clerk
Published Feb. 23rd, 1922
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That the foregoing ordinance entitled "An emergency ordinance regulating street traffic of the City of Grand Junction and repealing Ordinance #289, passed and adopted December 2nd, 1919, and entitled, "An ordinance regulating street traffic of the City of Grand Junction", was introduced, read, passed and adopted as an emergency ordinance, and ordered published at an adjourned meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Junction, Colo., held on the 21st day of February A.D. 1922.
IN WITNESS WHEREFORE, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of said City this 21st day of February A.D. 1922.
/s/ Fred A. Peck
________
City Clerk