(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
EMERGENCY. A situation demanding immediate action to protect human life or to obtain medical treatment for a person who is injured or ill.
EMERGENCY VEHICLE. Any vehicle used for emergency purposes by a fire department; any vehicle used for emergency purposes by the state police, a public police department, or sheriffs office; any vehicle used for emergency purposes by a rescue squad; any publicly owned vehicle used for emergency purposes by a civil defense agency; ambulances; any vehicle commandeered by a police officer; or any motor vehicle used by a volunteer fireman while responding to an emergency.
RAILROAD CROSSING. A place where a public road or right-of-way intersects with railroad lines or tracks and one crosses over the other. This term shall include the entire width of the right-of-way of the public road and the entire width of the railroad right-of-way at the place of crossing.
(B) (1) The Boone County Fiscal Court shall have the authority to close, in an emergency situation, for the public safety, any county road or right-of-way, bridge, or railroad crossing, by resolution of the Fiscal Court. The closing shall continue so long as the emergency persists and public safety demands.
(2) This subchapter recognizes and encompasses county roads or rights-of-ways, bridges, and railroad crossings previously closed by the Fiscal Court by resolution in such an emergency situation for the public safety.
(C) The Fiscal Court shall have the authority to designate any county road, bridge, or railroad crossing for use by emergency vehicles only or for use by other vehicles in case of emergency only. The designation shall be made by resolution of the Fiscal Court except as hereinafter provided. Areas so designated shall be marked with a sign stating “for emergency vehicles only,” or similar language.
(D) This section shall serve in lieu of the resolution referred to in division (C) hereof and hereby designates for use by emergency vehicles only or for use by other vehicles in cases of emergency only the railroad crossing which is the subject of an agreement between the Fiscal Court and the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railroad Company dated October 14, 1980, which crossing is located in the vicinity of the intersection of U.S. Highway 25 and Kentucky Highway 16 north of Walton, Kentucky at approximately mile post 19.56 of the tracks of the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Company.
(E) No person shall drive, or otherwise, propel any vehicle motorized or otherwise onto or across any county road or right-of-way, bridge, or railroad crossing which has been closed under authority of this subchapter or which has been designated for use by emergency vehicles only or by other vehicles in cases of emergency only under authority of this subchapter, unless the vehicle qualifies under the provisions of this subchapter to use the area.
(Ord. 620.6, passed 10-7-86) Penalty, see § 70.99