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In every charge of a violation relating to speed limits, the complaint or summons or notice to appear shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven and the speed limit applicable within the district or at the location of the City. (1968 Code §6-5-5; Ord. 77-69; Ord. 90-24; Ord. 01-42)
A. No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any street at a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable forward movement of traffic, except when a reduced speed shall be necessary for safe operation of the vehicle or in compliance with law.
B. It is hereby determined upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that slow speeds on certain streets described in traffic control records as provided in section 10.1.312 of this chapter consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic on the facilities described in the records and it is declared that the minimum speed limit upon those streets or expressways shall be as stated, which speed so declared shall be effective at the time specified when signs are erected giving notice. Any speed less than the minimum speed limit shall be prima facie evidence that the lesser speed is unlawful, except when a reduced speed shall be necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle when a special hazard exists. (1968 Code §6-5-6; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 85-263; Ord. 88-151; Ord. 01-42)
A. Definitions:
SPEED CONTEST: The operation of one or more motor vehicles to conduct a race or a time trial, including, but not limited to, rapid acceleration, exceeding reasonable and prudent speeds for highways and existing traffic conditions, vying for position, or performing one or more lane changes in an attempt to gain advantage over one or more of the other race participants.
SPEED EXHIBITION: The operation of a motor vehicle to present a display of speed or power. Speed exhibition includes, but is not limited to, squealing the tires of a motor vehicle while it is stationary or in motion, rapid acceleration, rapid swerving or weaving in and out of traffic, producing smoke from tire slippage, or leaving visible tire acceleration marks on the surface of the highway or ground.
B. Prohibitions:
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for a person to knowingly engage in a speed contest on a street or highway.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for a person to knowingly engage in a speed exhibition on a street or highway.
3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not, for the purpose of facilitating or aiding or as an incident to any speed contest or speed exhibition upon a highway, in any manner obstruct or place a barricade or obstruction, or assist or participate in placing any such barricade or obstruction, upon a highway. A person who violates any provision of this section, commits, pursuant to section 10.1.103 of this chapter, the offense in which the person aided, or the commission of which the person facilitated. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude charging a person under section 10.1.103 of this chapter for otherwise being a party to the crime of engaging in a speed contest or engaging in a speed exhibition.
C. Exemption: The provisions of this section shall not apply to the operation of a motor vehicle in an organized competition according to accepted rules on a designated and duly authorized racetrack, racecourse, or drag strip. (1968 Code §6-5-7; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 06-201)
Traffic signals may be timed, as authorized in section 10.1.309 of this chapter, so as to permit the movement of traffic in an orderly and safe manner at speeds at variance from the speed limit otherwise applicable to the street or area. (1968 Code §6-5-8; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)
A. The speed limitations set forth in this article shall not apply to an authorized emergency vehicle when the driver is responding to an emergency call and is making use of visual and audible signals as prescribed by law, nor shall speed limitations apply to a police vehicle while in actual pursuit of a suspected violator of any provision of this chapter or any other law so long as the pursuit is being made to obtain verification of or evidence of the guilt of the suspected violator or to apprehend the suspected violator.
B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the street, nor shall the provisions protect the driver of any vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard for the safety of others. (1968 Code §6-5-9; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)
The minimum requirement for commission of a violation of this chapter is the performance by the driver of prohibited conduct, which includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform an act which the driver is physically capable of performing. It shall not be a defense to prosecution for violation of this article that:
A. The defendant's conduct was not performed intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence; or
B. The defendant's conduct was performed under a mistaken belief of fact, including, but not limited to, a mistaken belief regarding the speed of the defendant's vehicle. (Ord. 90-24; Ord. 01-42)