CHAPTER 71: TRAFFIC RULES

ARTERIAL ROADWAY. The class of roads in Jefferson County that serve major traffic movements (high-speed, high volume) for travel between major points, which include any roadway listed in § 71.10 of this chapter.

CENTRAL TRAFFIC DISTRICT. The area bounded on the north by Washington Street, on the south by Broadway, on the east by Hancock Street, and the west by 9th Street, each of the above-named streets being included within this area.

CHIEF OF POLICE. The Chief of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Police Department or such police officer as he or she shall designate from within the Police Department.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. Any vehicle which is required to be registered under the terms of KRS 186.050(3).

CROSSWALK. That part of a roadway at an intersection within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; or any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

DIRECTOR. The Director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Works and Assets or such person as he or she shall designate.

GORE. A longitudinal point where a physical barrier or the lack of a paved surface inhibits road users from crossing from a ramp or channelized turn lane or channelized entering lane to the adjacent through lane(s) or vice versa.

INTERSECTION. That part of the public way embraced within the extensions of the street lines of two or more streets which join at an angle whether or not one such street crosses the other.

MEDIAN. The area between two roadways of a divided highway measured from edge of traveled way to edge of traveled way, which includes median refuge island. The median excludes turn lanes and that portion of a median that contains a sidewalk beyond the marked crosswalk or other legal pedestrian crossing and which is not part of a median refuge island. The median width might be different between intersections, interchanges, and at opposite approaches of the same intersection.

MEDIAN REFUGE ISLAND. Protected spaces placed in the center of an arterial roadway to facilitate pedestrian crossings which may include a portion for walking or standing on such island while awaiting safe and legal crossing of such roadway.

PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot or in a wheelchair.

INTERSECTION. That part of the public way embraced within the extensions of the street lines of two or more streets which join at an angle whether or not one such street crosses the other.

MOPED. A motorized bicycle whose frame design may include one or more horizontal crossbars supporting a fuel tank so long as it also has pedals, or a motorized bicycle with a step-through type frame which may or may not have pedals rated no more than two brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged, and capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour.

PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot.

PERSON. An individual, partnership, corporation, or unincorporated group or association.

POLICE DEPARTMENT. The Louisville Metro Police Department.

PUBLIC WAY. The entire width between property lines of every way, dedicated passway, road, or street set aside for public travel, except bridle paths and foot paths.

RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate and preferential use of a street.

STOPPING. To stop a vehicle longer than is actually necessary to receive or discharge passengers.

STREET. Every public road, interstate highway, avenue, alley, or boulevard, bridge, viaduct or trestle and the approaches to them and includes off-street parking facilities offered for public use, whether publicly or privately owned, except for-hire parking facilities listed in KRS 189.700.

TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, vehicles, buses and other conveyances, individually or collectively, while using any street for the purpose of travel.

TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICE. All signs, signals, warnings, directions, markings and devices placed or erected or maintained by authority of the Director.

VEHICLE or MOTOR VEHICLE. Every device in, on or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn on any street except devices moved by human power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks, which vehicle does not travel more than five miles from the boundaries of Jefferson County.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 112-2019, approved 8-26-2019)

§ 71.02 OBSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC.

(A) It shall be unlawful to operate any vehicle or to permit any vehicle to remain standing on any street in Jefferson County in such manner as to create an obstruction to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

(B) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to enter any intersection or crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding the indication of any traffic-control signal which may be located at the intersection or crosswalk.

(C) Any intersection deemed by the Director to be of special or critical importance to the movement of traffic shall be clearly marked in a distinctive manner as to indicate such importance. Should the operator of any vehicle enter any such intersection so marked when there is insufficient room on the other side of the intersection to accommodate the vehicle, the indication of any traffic-control signal notwithstanding, the operator shall be deemed to have violated this subsection rather than subsection (B) above.

(1994 Jeff. Code, § 71.01) (Jeff. Ord. 12-1992, adopted and effective 9-22-1992; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007) Penalty, see § 71.99

Cross-reference:
For similar provisions concerning obstructions, see §§ 72.020 et seq.

§ 71.03 TRAFFIC LANES.

(A) The Director is authorized to mark by suitable signs or markings as authorized by state law:

(1) Traffic lanes on any portion of the roadway of any street where the regular alignment of traffic is deemed necessary;

(2) Intersections to specifically prohibit right hand turns;

(3) Any intersection deemed by the Director to be of special or critical importance to the movement of traffic in a distinctive manner as to indicate such importance;

(4) To prohibit left-hand turns at any intersection where such turns interfere with the safe and orderly movement of traffic;

(5) To prohibit commercial vehicle traffic by order of the Director, on any public way in Jefferson County where in the Director's discretion, the public way is deemed so narrow that commercial vehicle traffic along and through it would create a hazard to health or property. Any person operating a commercial vehicle along any public way so marked shall be fined as provided in § 71.99(A).

(6) Crosswalks within the central traffic district, and in addition, as near as practicable to the middle of any block in the central traffic district, or in any area where the Director determines there is a particular danger to pedestrians crossing the roadway.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 71.01) (Lou. Ord. No. 144-1982, approved 8-11-1982; Lou. Ord. No. 0056-2001, § 1, approved 4-27-2001; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007) Penalty, see § 71.99

§ 71.04 BACKING VEHICLES.

It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to back the vehicle at any intersection for the purpose of executing a turning movement. A vehicle from any parking position shall be backed by the operator in such manner as to proceed on the same side of the roadway in the lawful direction of travel.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 71.10) (Lou. Ord. No. 0056-2001, § 1, approved 4-27-2001; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007) Penalty, see § 71.99

§ 71.05 VEHICLES CROSSING SIDEWALKS.

(A) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to drive within any sidewalk space except at a permanent or temporary driveway or by special permit from the Director.

(B) It shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to drive the vehicle out of any alley, driveway, building, or lot and across a sidewalk, or its extension across the alley, unless the vehicle has been brought to a complete stop immediately prior to crossing the sidewalk or its extension. On entering the roadway from the alley, driveway, or building the operator shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway. The operator of any vehicle intending to cross a sidewalk and turn into an alley from the roadway shall do so at low speed and with caution.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 71.13) (Lou. Ord. No. 0056-2001, § 1, approved 4-27-2001; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007) Penalty, see § 71.99

PEDESTRIANS

§ 71.10 PROHIBITED PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITIES ON ARTERIAL ROADWAYS, MEDIANS, AND GORES.

(A) Pedestrians are prohibited from crossing an arterial roadway at any place except in a crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk on an arterial roadway, a pedestrian may cross an arterial roadway only at an intersection in which a traffic- control signal or other device is in place. If neither is present, a person may cross an arterial roadway only at an intersection.

(B) Pedestrians are prohibited from standing or being on a median or gore of an arterial roadway unless he or she is in the process of legally crossing an arterial roadway.

(C) No person, other than an occupant of a vehicle, shall be on an arterial roadway, unless otherwise provided by law. Pedestrians, while upon on an arterial roadway, are prohibited from approaching a vehicle operating on such arterial roadway except for the actions contained in subsection (D).

(D) Sections (B) and (C) do not apply to:

(1) Any person in a legally parked vehicle at the curb or shoulder;

(2) Any person engaged in law enforcement or rescue activities or with an emergency repair or maintenance of a vehicle;

(3) Any person entering a stopped vehicle as an invited passenger where it is lawful to do so, including accessing taxicabs or public transportation;

(4) Any person working on an arterial roadway with a valid permit; or

(5) Any person in compliance with the provisions of KRS 189.570(21) and the following pedestrian safety measures:

(a) Be at least 18 years of age;

(b) Persons must wear vests as prescribed by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices;

(c) Persons must place at least four orange cones per lane utilized with a minimum height of at least 28 inches and placed at a minimum of 15 feet apart from the closest orange cone;

(d) Persons must withdraw from an intersection to a place of safety on a median or on the side of an arterial roadway before the light turns green or as soon as safely possible;

(e) Persons must limit solicitation activity to one person for each lane of traffic;

(f) Persons must refrain from yelling at or otherwise distracting motorists, and from touching any vehicle; and

(g) Persons shall not conduct any solicitation activity before sunrise or after sunset, as published daily by the National Weather Service, or in inclement weather during which wipers or lights are necessary for safe vehicular travel, or in the judgment of any law enforcement officer conducting solicitation activity would constitute a hazard to individuals conducting solicitation activity or to motorists.

(E) The following streets are designated arterial roadways for the purposes of this section:

N 15th St

S 15th St

N 16th St

S 16th St

S 17th St

N 1st St

S 1st St

N 21st St

N 22nd St

S 22nd St

N 22nd St Connector

N 26th St

S 26th St

S 2nd St

N 3rd St

S 3rd St

3rd Street Rd

S 4th St

S 5th St

S 6th St

N 7th St

S 7th St

7th Street Rd

N 8th St

S 9th St

S 9th Street Ramp

Algonquin Pky

Ballardsville Rd

Bank St

Bardstown Rd

Barret Ave

Baxter Ave

Bells Ln

Bernheim Ln

Berry Blvd

Beulah Church Rd

Billtown Rd

Bingham Way

Blankenbaker Pky

Blue Lick Rd

Bowling Blvd

E Brandeis Ave

Breckenridge Ln

E Broadway

W Broadway

S Brook St

Browns Ln

Brownsboro Rd

Buechel Bank Rd

Buechel Byp

E Burnett

S Campbell St

Cane Run Rd

Cannons Ln

E Cardinal Blvd

W Cardinal Blvd

Castlewood Ave

Central Ave

Chenoweth Ln

Cherokee Pky

W Chestnut St

Chestnut Street Connector

Chestnut Street E Connector

Clark Memorial Brg

Colorado Ave

Crittenden Dr

Crums Ln

Denny Crum Overpass

Dixie Hwy

Dr W J Hodge St

Dumesnil St

Dutchmans Ln

Dutchmans Pky

Eastern Pky

N English Station Rd

Fegenbush Ln

Fern Valley Rd

Finzer St

S Floyd St

Frankfort Ave

Gagel Ave

Glenbrook Rd

Goss Ave

Grade Ln

E Gray St

Greenbelt Hwy

Greenbelt Ramp

Greenwood Rd

Grinstead Dr

Herr Ln

Hikes Ln

E Hill St

W Hill St

Hillcrest Ave

N Hubbards Ln

S Hubbards Ln

N Hurstbourne Pky

S Hurstbourne Pky

I 265 North

E Indian Trl

Industry Rd

S Jackson St

Jefferson Blvd

E Jefferson St

W Jefferson St

Johnsontown Rd

W Kenwood Way

KY 841

KY-841 Ramp

La Grange Rd

Lees Ln

Lexington Rd

E Liberty St

W Liberty St

Lime Kiln Ln

Logan St

Lyndon Ln

Lynn St

E Main St

W Main St

E Manslick Rd

Manslick Rd

E Market St

W Market St

Mary St

McMahan Blvd

Mellwood Ave

Millers Ln

E Muhammad Ali Blvd

W Muhammad Ali Blvd

National Tpke

New Cut Rd

New La Grange Rd

Newburg Rd

Northwestern Pky

E Oak St

W Oak St

Oakdale Ave

Old Henry Rd

W Ormsby Ave

Outer Loop

Palatka Rd

Park Blvd

Park Rd

Phillips Ln

Plantside Dr

Poplar Level Rd

Portland Ave

Preston Hwy

N Preston St

S Preston St

Produce Rd

River Park Dr

River Rd

W River Rd

Rockford Ln

Rowan St

Roy Wilkins Ave

Ruckriegel Pky

S Shelby St

Shelbyville Rd

Shepherdsville Rd

Southern Pky

Southside Dr

Southwestern Pky

St. Andrews Church Rd

E St. Catherine St

W St. Catherine St

Stilz Ave

Stonestreet Rd

Story Ave

Taylor Blvd

Taylorsville Rd

W Tenny Ave

Terry Rd

Trade Port Dr

Trevilian Way

US Highway 42

University Blvd

Valley Station Rd

Virginia Ave

W Washington St

N Watterson Trl

Watterson Trl

Westport Rd

Whipps Mill Rd

Willow Ave

Wilson Ave

Winkler Ave

Winter Ave

E Witherspoon St

E Woodlawn Ave

W Woodlawn Ave

Zorn Ave

This section also applies to the first 200 feet of any roadway that intersects with an arterial roadway, as measured from the point where the roadway and the arterial roadway intersect.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 112-2019, approved 8-26-2019)

DANGEROUS OPERATION; ACCIDENTS

§ 71.85 BOARDING OR ALIGHTING FROM MOVING VEHICLES.

It shall be unlawful for any person to board or alight, or be permitted to board or alight, from a bus, train or vehicle while the bus, train or vehicle is in motion.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 72.01) (Lou. Ord. No. 0057-2001, approved 4-24-2001; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007) Penalty, see § 71.99

§ 71.86 SPEED REGULATIONS.

It is determined on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the speed permitted by KRS 189.390(5)(a) on highways in business and residential districts is greater than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist in Louisville Metro. The maximum speed on Louisville Metro streets and roads is declared to be 25 miles per hour subject to the exceptions which follow:

(A) If the Director determines, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, that any speed limit which is greater than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection, or upon any part of a Louisville Metro street or road, the Director may establish, by official order, a reasonable and safe speed limit at the location. These speed limits shall be effective at any time when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected.

(B) On Louisville Metro through roads, except within the central traffic district, the speed shall be 35 miles per hour, subject to the limitation applicable to all streets and roads noted in this section and as set forth below in § 71.87.

(C) In a highway work zone, the Director may temporarily reduce established speed limits without an engineering or traffic investigation. A speed limit established under this section shall become effective when and where posted. The Director shall post signs notifying the traveling public of the temporaryhighway work zone maximum speed limit. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the Director from using moveable or portable speed limit signs in highway work zones.

(D) The Director is authorized to post speed limits, as indicated herein, by uniform signs and markings of a fixed type and uniformly placed, as conditions permit. No person other than authorized by the Director shall erect any such signs or place such markings.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 72.02) (Lou. Ord. No. 60-1962, approved 5-10-1962; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 144-1982, approved 8-11-1982; Lou. Ord. No. 0057-2001, approved 4-24-2001; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 188-2003, approved 10-28-2003; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007) Penalty, see § 71.99

§ 71.87 EXCEPTIONS TO SPEED REGULATIONS.

(A) Notwithstanding any provision of § 71.86, it shall be unlawful for any person:

(1) To operate any vehicle at a rate of speed exceeding 25 miles per hour in any properly marked playground zone during the hours the playground is opened and in use, or in any other area where there has been installed either temporarily or permanently by the Director, either a school speed limit sign, which when operating shows flashing yellow signals and displays in illuminated numerals the speed limit in effect at the time, or a school speed limit sign establishing the particular hours which the above speed limit is in effect.

(2) To drive any vehicle in any alley in Louisville Metro at a rate of speed in excess of 15 miles per hour.

(3) To drive any vehicle on any road in any public park in Louisville Metro at a rate of speed in excess of 25 miles per hour.

(4) To drive any vehicle on any bridle path in Louisville Metro at a rate of speed in excess of 15 miles per hour.

(B) The speed limit on Louisville Metro through roads may be no more than 45 miles per hour or less than 25 miles per hour as determined specifically by the Director.

(C) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such low speed as to impede the reasonable movement of traffic. No person shall refuse to comply with directions of an officer given in accordance with this section.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 72.03) (Lou. Ord. No. 9-1965, approved 1-13-1965; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 185-1962, approved 9-26-1962; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 157-1971, approved 10-17-1971; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 144-1982, approved 8-11-1982; Lou. Am. Ord. No. 0057-2001, approved 4-24-2001; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 188-2003, approved 10-28-2003; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007) Penalty, see § 71.99

§ 71.88 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING A LOW CLEARANCE.

In the event that an operator of a vehicle fails to heed a low clearance sign and gets the vehicle stuck in a signed low clearance area, and the assignment of Metro Government personnel or equipment is necessary to protect the health, safety, or property of citizens, the driver of the vehicle responsible for the willful disregard of such low clearance signs shall reimburse the Metro Government for any cost incurred in alleviating the emergency. The cost shall be as determined by the Director of the Department for Public Protection and shall be collected by civil action.

(1999 Lou. Code, § 72.14) (Lou. Ord. No. 0057-2001, approved 4-24-2001; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007)

§ 71.89 REFERENCES TO STATUTES AND OTHER ORDINANCES.

Any Kentucky state statute or administrative regulations, or any ordinance of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government cited, referred to, or incorporated by reference in this chapter shall be deemed to refer to or incorporate by reference any amendment, revision, or successor to the statute, regulation, or ordinance so cited, referred to, or incorporated by reference.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007)

§ 71.98 SEVERABILITY.

Each section and provision of this chapter is hereby declared to be independent sections and provisions and, not withstanding any other evidence of legislative intent, it is hereby declared to be the controlling legislative intent that if any provision of said chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remaining sections or provisions and the application of such sections or provisions to any person or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby, and it is hereby declared that such sections and provisions would have been passed independently of such section or provision so known to be invalid.

(1994 Jeff. Code, § 10.07) (Jeff. Ord. 36-1994, adopted and effective 12-20-1994; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 112-2019, approved 8-26-2019)

§ 71.99 PENALTIES.

(A) Any person who violates §§ 71.02 through 71.10 of this chapter shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $250.

(B) Any person who violates §§ 71.86 or 71.87 of this chapter, or who violates any other ordinance of the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government or any statute of the state restricting speeding, shall be fined as provided by KRS 189.394.

(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 99-2007, approved 6-4-2007; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 112-2019, approved 8-26-2019)

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