(A) Police to direct traffic. It shall be the duty of the Police Department of this city to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Officers of the Police Department are hereby authorized to direct all traffic, either in person or by means of visible and/or audible signals in conformance with the provisions of this chapter, providing that in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers of the Police Department or Fire Department may direct traffic as conditions may require notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter.
(B) The City Council authorized to adopt emergency and other regulations. The City Council is hereby empowered by resolution to make and enforce regulations necessary to make effective the provisions of this ordinance and to make and enforce temporary regulations to cover emergency of special conditions.
(C) Obedience to police officers. No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction by any police officer invested by law with authority to direct, control or regulate traffic.
(D) Public officers and employees to obey ordinance; exception.
(1) The provisions of this chapter applicable to the drivers of vehicles upon the highways and streets shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the United States, this state or any county, city, town, district or any other political subdivision of this state, subject to the specific exceptions as are set forth in this chapter with reference to authorized emergency vehicles.
(2) The driver of any vehicle operated by the Fire Department or Police Department is exempt from the provisions of this chapter when responding to an emergency call.
(3) The driver of any authorized emergency vehicle when responding to an emergency call upon approaching a red or stop signal or any stop signs shall slow down as necessary for the safety but may proceed cautiously past such red or stop sign or signal. At other times, drivers of authorized emergency vehicles shall stop in obedience to a stop sign or signal. This exemption shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.
(4) No driver of any authorized emergency vehicle shall assume any special privilege under this ordinance except when the vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.
(5) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to persons, teams, motor vehicles and other equipment while actually engaged in work upon the surface of a highway or street but shall apply to the persons and vehicles when traveling to or from the work.
(Ord. 64-12, passed 12-21-1964)