9-48-010 Authorized emergency vehicles.

   (a)   The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon return from any fire alarm, may:

      (1)   Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of the traffic code;

      (2)   Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;

      (3)   Exceed the speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property;

      (4)   Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.

   (b)   The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only (1) when the driver of the vehicle while in motion sounds an audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and the vehicle is displaying an oscillating, rotating or flashing red beam visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet of the front of such vehicle or (2) when the authorized emergency vehicle is operated as a police vehicle and such vehicle is displaying an oscillating, rotating or flashing blue beam.

   (c)   The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of reckless disregard of others.

(Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

9-48-020 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 4-24-20, p. 15498, § 1, repealed § 9-48-020, which pertained to horse-drawn carriages – areas designated for use – permit for use in other areas.

9-48-030 Reserved.

Editor's note – Coun. J. 4-24-20, p. 15498, § 1, repealed § 9-48-030, which pertained to horse-drawn carriages – driving prohibited on certain streets and during certain times.

9-48-040 Restrictions on operation of low-speed electric public passenger vehicles.

   (a)   The City Council may from time to time define areas, in the interest of preserving public health and safety or avoiding traffic congestion, in which low-speed electric public passenger vehicles shall not be operated. Any ordinance defining such areas shall be codified as an amendment to this section.

   (b)   No low-speed electric public passenger vehicle shall be operated Monday through Friday, except on holidays as defined in Section 9-4-010, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on public ways under the jurisdiction of the City in the area bounded in the north and west by Chicago River, on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the south by Ida B. Wells Drive.

   (c)   No low-speed electric public passenger vehicle shall be operated on Michigan Avenue and State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Oak Street.

   (d)   Low-speed electric public passenger vehicles shall be permitted only upon streets and alleys which are subject to a speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less. It shall be unlawful to operate low-speed electric public passenger vehicles upon any street in the City where the posted speed limit is more than 30 miles per hour. Provided, however, such vehicles may cross any street which has a posted speed limit of more than 30 miles per hour at an intersection controlled by a traffic light or a stop sign.

   (e)   For purposes of this section, the term "low-speed electric public passenger vehicle" shall have the meaning ascribed to this term in Section 9-114-010.

(Added Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 31925, Art. VI, § 3)

Editor's note – Coun. J. 4-24-20, p. 15498, § 1, repealed former § 9-48-040, which pertained to horse-drawn carriages – left turns – loading and unloading passengers.

9-48-045 Restrictions on operation of pedicabs.

   (a)   The City Council may from time to time define areas, in the interest of preserving public health and safety or avoiding traffic congestion, in which no pedicabs shall be operated. The City Clerk shall maintain for public inspection and copying a file of all ordinances defining such areas. In addition, any ordinance defining such areas shall be codified as an amendment to this section.

   (b)   No pedicab shall be operated Monday through Friday, except on holidays as defined in Section 9-4-010, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on public ways under the jurisdiction of the city in the area bounded in the north and west by Chicago River, on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the south by Ida B. Wells Drive.

   (c)   No pedicab shall be operated on Michigan Avenue and State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Oak Street.

   (d)   No pedicab shall be operated on public ways under the jurisdiction of the City in the area bounded on the north by Roosevelt Road, on the west by Indiana Avenue, on the south by 21st Street (extended east to Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable Lake Shore Drive), and on the east by Columbus Drive and Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable Lake Shore Drive.

   (e)   No pedicabs shall be operated between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on public ways under the jurisdiction of the City in the area bounded on the north by Ohio Street, on the west by Lake Shore Drive, on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the south by the Chicago River.

(Added Coun. J. 4-30-14, p. 80633, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 11-20-19, p. 9510, Art. I, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 9-21-22, p. 52000, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 10-4-23, p. 3674, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 10-9-24, p. 18732, § 1)