(a) (1) No pedestrian or driver of a vehicle or operator of a streetcar or trackless trolley, shall disobey the instructions of any traffic-control device placed in accordance with the provisions of this Traffic Code, unless at the time otherwise directed by a police officer. When both traffic control signals and stop signs are erected at intersections, traffic shall be governed by the traffic control signal while it is in operation.
(2) No provision of this Traffic Code for which signs are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official sign is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section of this Traffic Code does not state that signs are required, that section shall be effective even though no signs are erected or in place.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(RC 4511.12; Ord. No. 1278-15. Passed 10-16-17, eff. 10-20-17)