Sec. 19-47. Signals on starting, stopping or turning.

(a)   The driver of any vehicle upon a highway or public vehicular area before starting, stopping or turning from a direct line shall first see that such movement can be made in safety and if any pedestrian may be affected by such movement shall give a clearly audible signal by sounding the horn and whenever the operation of any other vehicle may be affected by such movement shall give a signal as required in this section, plainly visible to the driver of such other vehicle, of the intention to make such movement. The driver of a vehicle shall not back the vehicle unless such movement can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic.

(b)   The signal required in subsection (a) of this section shall be given by means of the hand and arm in the manner specified as follows or by any mechanical or electrical signal device approved by the traffic engineer, except that when a vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent the hand and arm signal from being visible, both to the front and rear, the signal shall be given by a device of a type which has been approved by the traffic engineer:

(1)   Whenever the signal is given the driver shall indicate his intention to start, stop or turn by extending the hand and arm from and beyond the left side of the vehicle as follows:

a.   Left turn: hand and arm horizontal, forefinger pointing.

b.   Right turn: hand and arm pointed upward.

c.   Stop: hand and arm pointed downward.

(2)   All hand and arm signals shall be given from the left side of the vehicle and all signals shall be maintained or given continuously for the last 100 feet traveled prior to stopping or making a turn. In all areas where the speed limit is 45 miles per hour or higher and the operator intends to turn from a direct line of travel, a signal of intention to turn from a direct line of travel shall be given continuously during the last 200 feet traveled before turning.

(3)   Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with and the required signal shall be given by a signal lamp or mechanical signal device when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds 24 inches or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds 14 feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle, also to any combination of vehicles, except combinations operated by farmers in hauling farm products.

(c)   No person shall operate a righthand-drive motor vehicle or a motor vehicle equipped with the steering mechanism on the righthand side thereof unless the motor vehicle is equipped with mechanical or electrical signal devices by which the signals for left turns and right turns may be given. Such mechanical or electrical devices shall be approved by the traffic engineer.

(d)   A violation of this section shall not constitute negligence per se.

(e)   Violation of this section shall be an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-4.

(Code 1965, § 28-38; Ord. No. 4910, § 2, 11-9-21)

State law reference(s)—Similar provisions, G.S. 20-154.

Sec. 19-48. One-way streets and alleys—Designation and marking.

The traffic engineer is hereby authorized to designate streets and alleys or portions thereof whereon vehicular traffic shall be restricted to one direction only. Whenever such a designation is made, signs shall be erected and maintained at every intersection or entrance to such street or alley where movement in the opposite direction is prohibited, which signs shall indicate the direction of lawful traffic movement.

(Code 1965, § 28-39; Ord. No. 4910, § 2, 11-9-21)

State law reference(s)—Authority of city to designate one-way streets, G.S. 20-169.

Sec. 19-49. Same—Driving in wrong direction.

(a)   Whenever signs are in place in accord with section 19-48 indicating a one-way street or alley, it shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle in any but the direction indicated for lawful traffic movement.

(b)   Violation of this section shall be an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-4.

(Code 1965, § 28-40; Ord. No. 4910, § 2, 11-9-21)

Sec. 19-50. Obstructing intersections or crosswalks.

(a)   No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk and on the right half of the roadway to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic control signal indication to proceed.

(b)   Violation of this section shall be an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-4.

(Code 1965, § 28-4; Ord. No. 4910, § 2, 11-9-21)

Sec. 19-51. Obstruction of driver's view or driving mechanism.

(a)   No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded or when there are in the front seat such 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 shall ride in such position as to interfere with the driver's view ahead or to the sides or to interfere with his control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.

(c)   Violation of this section shall be an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-4.

(Code 1965, § 28-42; Ord. No. 4910, § 2, 11-9-21)

Sec. 19-52. Procedure upon approach of authorized emergency vehicle.

(a)   Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle, the driver of every other vehicle shall immediately drive the vehicle to a position as near as possible and parallel to the righthand edge or curb of the street, clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position, unless otherwise directed by a police or traffic officer, until the emergency vehicle has passed.

(b)   Violation of this section shall be an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-4.

(Code 1965, § 28-43; Ord. No. 4910, § 2, 11-9-21)

State law reference(s)—Similar provisions, G.S. 20-157(a).

Sec. 19-53. Following fire apparatus or driving near scene of fire.

(a)   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 500 feet or drive into the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.

(b)   Violation of this section shall be an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-4.

(Code 1965, § 28-44; Ord. No. 4910, § 2, 11-9-21)

State law reference(s)—Similar provisions, G.S. 20-157(b).