CHAPTER 3
RULES OF THE ROAD
RULES OF THE ROAD
SECTION:
9-3-1: Driver's License And Vehicle Registration Required
9-3-2: Authorized Emergency Vehicles
9-3-3: Right Of Way
9-3-4: Turning Movements
9-3-5: Overtaking And Passing Vehicles
9-3-6: Speed Restrictions
9-3-7: Driver's Signals
9-3-8: One-Way Streets And Alleys
9-3-9: General Driving Restrictions
9-3-10: Duty Of Driver At Railroad Grade Crossings
9-3-11: Prohibited Acts And Conditions
9-3-12: Lane Usage
A. Driver's License Required: No person shall operate a motor vehicle unless the person has a valid driver's license, restricted license or instruction permit as authorized by the laws of this state. (1978 Code §23-120)
B. Registration Required: No person shall operate, nor shall an owner knowingly permit to be operated upon any street, any vehicle required to be registered and titled by state law unless there shall be attached thereto and displayed thereon, when and as required by state law, a valid registration tag and registration plate or plates issued for the current registration year and unless a certificate of title has been issued for such vehicle, except as otherwise expressly permitted by state law. (1978 Code §23-99; amd. 1994 Code)
A. Privileges Of Authorized Emergency Vehicles:
1. When responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected perpetrator of a felony or when in response to an incident dangerous to the public or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may exercise the privileges set forth in this section.
2. The driver of any authorized emergency vehicle may:
a. Park or stand an authorized emergency vehicle, irrespective of the provisions of this code.
b. Disregard laws or regulations governing direction of movement for the minimum distance necessary before an alternative otherwise lawful route is available.
3. The driver of a fire department vehicle, police vehicle or ambulance may:
a. Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.
b. Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property.
4. The exceptions authorized emergency vehicles granted under subsections A2 and A3 of this section shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signaling device meeting the requirements of the code of Iowa, as amended, or a visual signaling device approved by the department of transportation or its successor, except use of an audible or visual signaling device shall not be required when exercising the exemption granted under subsection A3b of this section when the vehicle is operated by a peace officer pursuing a suspected violator of the speed restrictions imposed by or pursuant to this code for the purpose of determining the speed of travel of such suspected violator.
5. 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 the driver's reckless disregard for the safety of others. (1978 Code §23-123; amd. 1994 Code)
B. Operation Of Vehicles On Approach Of Authorized Emergency Vehicle:
1. Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle with any lamp or device displaying a red light or upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle of a fire department displaying a blue light or when a driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell, the drivers of other vehicles shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a peace officer. For the purposes of this subsection, "red light" or "blue light" means a light or lighting device that, when illuminated, will exhibit a solid flashing or strobing red or blue light.
2. This provision 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 this provision protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of an arbitrary exercise of such right of way. (1978 Code §23-169; amd. 1994 Code)
C. Following Fire Apparatus; Parking Near Fires: No driver of any vehicle, other than a driver on official business, shall follow closer than three hundred feet (300') of any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm, nor shall any driver of any vehicle drive into or stop any vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm 1 . (1978 Code §23-133; amd. 1994 Code)
D. Crossing Fire Hose: No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of the fire department when laid down on any street or private driveway without the consent of the fire department. (1978 Code §23-134; amd. 1994 Code)
Notes
| 1 | 1. See subsection 9-4-1A13 of this title. |
A. Stop And Yield At Stop Intersection: The driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop at the first opportunity at either the clearly marked stop line or before entering the crosswalk or before entering the intersection or at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. Before proceeding, the driver shall yield the right of way to any vehicle on the intersecting roadway which has entered the intersection or is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection. (1978 Code §23-161)
B. Yield At Yield Signs: The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall, in obedience to such sign, slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions or shall stop if necessary and shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian legally crossing the roadway on which the driver is driving and shall also yield to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute a hazard. Said driver, having so yielded, may proceed with caution. (1978 Code §23-162)
C. Turning Left: The driver of a vehicle attempting to turn left across the path of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction shall yield the right of way to the vehicle or vehicles approaching from the opposite direction going straight ahead. Such driver attempting to turn left shall then turn left only after giving a signal as required by law and only after affording a reasonable opportunity for the driver of the other vehicle to avoid a collision. (1978 Code §23-166; amd. 1994 Code)
D. Entering Arterial Highway: Every driver of a vehicle or other conveyance traveling upon any street intersecting any arterial highway shall bring such vehicle or conveyance to a full stop at the place where such street meets the prolongation of the nearest property line of such arterial highway, subject, however, to the direction of any traffic control sign or signal or any peace officer at such intersection. Said driver shall not proceed until the driver can do so without danger of collision, and in such instances, the driver of a vehicle on any arterial highway shall have the right of way. (1978 Code §23-163; amd. 1994 Code)
E. Entering Marked Highways: All vehicles must stop before entering any marked highway within the corporate limits of the city, as established by the state department of transportation or its successor, which signs are posted as provided by law. (1978 Code §23-164)
F. Approaching Or Entering Intersections: When two (2) vehicles are approaching on any public street or highway so that their paths will intersect and there is danger of collision, the driver of the vehicle to the right shall have the right of way. (1978 Code §23-165)
G. Entering Street From Private Roadway: The driver of a vehicle entering a public street from a private road or drive shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching along such public highway. (1978 Code §23-167)
H. Emerging From Alley Or Private Driveway: The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway and shall yield the right of way to all vehicles and pedestrians approaching on the highway or crosswalk. (1978 Code §23-168; amd. 1994 Code)
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