CHAPTER 3
RULES OF THE ROAD
RULES OF THE ROAD
SECTION:
7-3-1: Emergency Vehicles
7-3-2: Turning Movements
7-3-3: Speed Restrictions
7-3-4: Direction Of Driving And Roadway Lanes
7-3-5: Overtaking Vehicles
7-3-6: Drivers' Signals
7-3-7: Stop And Yield Intersections
7-3-8: General Restrictions On Driving
7-3-9: Parades And Processions
7-3-10: Prohibited Acts And Conditions
7-3-11: Restricted Access Alley
A. Operation Upon Approach Of Authorized Emergency Vehicle 1 : Upon approach of any authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal by bell, siren or whistle or giving visual signal by flashing of its emergency lights, the operator of every other vehicle shall immediately drive the same to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right hand edge or curb of the street and shall stop and remain at such position until the authorized emergency vehicle shall have passed unless otherwise directed by a police officer. (1984 Code § 23-19)
B. Following Fire Apparatus 2 : No operator of any vehicle, other than one on official business, shall follow closer than five hundred feet (500') of any fire vehicle traveling in response to a fire alarm or drive into or stop any vehicle within the block where the fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm. (1984 Code § 23-18)
C. Crossing Fire Hose: No person shall drive any vehicle over any unprotected hose of the fire department when laid down on any street or private driveway to be used at any fire or alarm of fire without the consent of the fire department official in charge. (1984 Code § 23-6)
Notes
| 1 | 1. SDCL §§ 32-31-6, 32-31-6.1. |
| 2 | 2. SDCL § 32-31-7. |
A. No operator of a vehicle shall execute a turn except in accordance with the following:
1. Right Turns:
a. The operator of a vehicle intending to turn to the right at an intersection or into an alley or driveway shall approach the point of turning in the right hand lane of the roadway and, in turning, shall keep as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the street.
b. The driver of a vehicle intending to make a right turn at an intersection where a red traffic control light is illuminated must bring his vehicle to a full stop in compliance with the red light and, after yielding to any oncoming traffic, may proceed to make a right turn at any such intersection within the city, except where it is indicated by an appropriate traffic sign that such turning procedures are not allowed at the particular intersection.
The city council is hereby empowered to authorize the placement and maintenance of the appropriate signs indicating that the turning procedure described herein is not allowed at any intersection it deems necessary for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and welfare of citizens of the city or the effective control of city traffic. (1984 Code § 23-26)
Any person violating the provisions of this subsection A1b shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished as provided in the general penalty in section 1-4-1 of this code. (1984 Code § 23-26; amd. 2005 Code)
2. Left Turns:
a. The driver of the vehicle intending to turn left at any intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle, and after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable, the left turn should be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection. In the event turning markers directing the flow of traffic are posted, traffic turning to the left shall follow the course directed by such markers. (1984 Code § 23-26)
b. The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard, but said driver, having so yielded and having given a signal when and as is required by the applicable rules of the road, may make such left turn, and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection from said opposite direction shall yield the right of way to the vehicle making the turn. (1984 Code § 23-27)
3. Proper Position To Turn: No person shall turn a vehicle at any intersection or alley unless the vehicle is in the proper position upon the roadway as required by subsections A1 and A2 of this section.
4. Signal Required: A signal of intention to turn right or left, when required, shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet (100') traveled by the vehicle before turning. (1984 Code § 23-26)
B. U-Turns: A vehicle may make a U-turn so as to proceed in the opposite direction on any street or highway within the corporate limits of the city so long as such U-turn is made without interfering with other traffic, except that a U-turn may not be performed where a location is specifically marked with signage prohibiting a U-turn. (1984 Code § 23-37; amd. Ord. O2019-12, 9-3-2019; Ord. O2019-18, 9-3-2019)
Notes
| 1 | 3. SDCL § 32-26-17. |
No person shall drive a vehicle upon any street, alley or public place in the city at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing, and it shall be prima facie unlawful and prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing for the driver of any vehicle or motor vehicle to drive the same upon any street, alley or public place in the city at a speed exceeding the following:
A. Fifteen Miles Per Hour:
1. When approaching within fifty feet (50') of a grade crossing of any railway when the driver's view is obstructed. The driver's view shall be deemed to be obstructed when, at any time during the last two hundred feet (200') of his approach to such crossing, he does not have a clear and uninterrupted view of such railway crossing and of any traffic on such railway for a distance of four hundred feet (400') in each direction for such crossing.
2. When passing a school during school recess or while children are going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours.
3. When approaching within fifty feet (50') and in traversing an intersection of highways when the driver's view is obstructed. A driver's view shall be deemed to be obstructed when, at the time during the last fifty feet (50') of his approach to such intersection, he does not have a clear and uninterrupted view of such intersection and of the traffic upon all of the highways entering such intersection for a distance of two hundred feet (200') from such intersection.
4. In traversing or going around curves or traversing a grade upon a highway when the driver's view is obstructed within a distance of one hundred feet (100') along such highway in the direction in which he is proceeding.
B. Twenty Miles Per Hour: Within the business district of the city, except upon state highways which shall have the speed limit posted thereon.
C. Twenty Five Miles Per Hour: Within the residence district of the city, except upon state highways which shall have the speed limit posted thereon.
D. Exceeding Speed Limit Generally: Exceeding the posted speed limit on any roadway, street or highway within the jurisdiction of the city. (1984 Code § 23-29)
E. No person shall drive any vehicle at an unnecessarily slow rate of speed so as to hinder and retard the traffic. (1984 Code § 23-32)
Notes
| 1 | 1. SDCL § 32-25-1 et seq., and § 32-14-3 et seq. |
A. Driving On Right Side Of Street: The operator of a vehicle shall drive the same upon the right half on the street except upon one way streets, and the operator of a slow moving vehicle shall drive the same as close as possible to the right hand edge or curb of the street unless it is impractical to travel on such side of the street and except when overtaking or passing another vehicle subject to limitations applicable by law in overtaking and passing. (1984 Code § 23-30)
B. Lane Driving Required; Changing Lanes: On roadways divided into lanes, a vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety. (1984 Code § 23-31)
C. Procedure Upon Being Overtaken By Another Vehicle: The operator of a vehicle upon a street, about to be overtaken and passed by another vehicle approaching from the rear, shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on suitable and audible signal being given by the driver of the overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. (1984 Code § 23-32)
D. Traffic On One Way Streets And Alleys: Whenever the city council shall determine a street or alley to be a one way traffic street or alley and shall cause said street or alley to be marked with the appropriate signs giving notice thereof, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any vehicle in violation of the markings, signs, barriers or other devices placed in accordance with the provision of this subsection. (1984 Code § 23-38)
E. Exempt One Way Traffic: Notwithstanding subsection D of this section, the city council may, upon request, exempt requesting companies, organizations, or other entities from one way traffic requirements upon a showing of good cause. If approved, the finance office shall issue an exemption permit listing the duration, extent, limitations, and conditions of the approval. Permits shall be subject to revocation for violation of the permit's terms. (Ord. O2017-05, 5-1-2017; amd. Ord. O2019-18, 9-3-2019)
Notes
| 1 | 1. SDCL § 32-26-1 et seq. |
A. Overtaking On The Left: The operator of any vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance to the left thereof but only when such left side is clearly visible and is free from oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be made in safety and shall not cut in front of the overtaken vehicle until safely clear of same; except, no such passing shall occur through an intersection. (1984 Code § 23-33)
B. Overtaking On The Right: The driver of a motor vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
1. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn.
2. Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two (2) or more lanes of moving vehicles in each direction.
3. Upon a one way street or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement where the roadway is free from obstructions and is of sufficient width for two (2) or more lanes of moving vehicles.
The driver a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway. (1984 Code § 23-34)
Notes
| 1 | 1. SDCL § 32-26-26 et seq. |
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