A. Findings:
1. The Salt Lake City council, after hearing, makes the following legislative findings:
a. Cruising has created a traffic problem on various city streets by causing a steady stream of vehicles to be unable to clear intersections, thus blocking traffic. The traffic blocking is most noticeable downtown on the east-west bound traffic as they are blocked by the north-south traffic stopped in intersections. It is also noticeable on the north-south traffic in the Sugar House area, as vehicles heading north or south are unable to move through intersections due to traffic on 2100 South.
b. The blocked traffic has contributed to motorist frustration and resultant dangerous driving to either avoid the gridlock or dangerous maneuvers around the blocked intersections.
c. Emergency vehicles have difficulty maneuvering through the blocked intersections and traveling along the roads choked with traffic.
d. Traffic along city streets has increased forty percent (40%) since 1997 and accidents have more than doubled.
e. The traffic creates noise of automobiles, horns, engines, screeching tires, etc., that disrupts residents' quiet enjoyment of night.
f. Motorist frustration has resulted in some violent episodes commonly called "road rage".
g. In addition to the road rage that exists among the general population, gang members express their frustration and flash gang signs challenging everyone around. Other gang members pick up on the signs and flash their own challenges. Such confrontations have resulted in two (2) homicides in the downtown area since August 1997.
h. In addition, there are numerous fights, assaults with deadly weapons, and other physical confrontations, which have resulted from heavy traffic congestion and short tempers. The statistics for State Street are:
1997
| 1998
| |
Homicides | 1 | 1 |
Assaults | 402 | 525 |
Public peace and order | 1,520 | 1,455 |
Total | 1,923 | 1,981 |
i. Statistics show that the calls for police in the downtown area peak during the hours of eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. and through four o'clock (4:00) A.M. each night. These calls for service, in part, are caused by cruising and the problems of gridlock, violations of laws and improper driving caused by cruising.
j. Statistics show that the highest demand for police service caused by gridlock, challenges to others and improper driving peak during Friday and Saturday nights.
k. The majority of businesses in Sugar House and downtown areas are closed or are closing by eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M., and very few are open after twelve o'clock (12:00) midnight. Thus there is little business reason for traffic congestion from eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. to four o'clock (4:00) A.M. Those businesses, which have large populations leaving, such as events at the sports arena located on the block between South Temple and 100 South between 300 and 400 West Streets and Symphony Hall contribute to traffic congestion, but the persons attending have no reason to, and in large part do not "cruise the area" as "cruising" is defined in this section.
l. Commercial parking is available in the traffic congested areas of Sugar House and downtown. Because of the availability of commercial parking, persons, during the hours of eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. to four o'clock (4:00) A.M. have little need to "cruise the area" looking for public parking stalls.
m. Elimination of those who "cruise the streets" simply as "something to do" will eliminate the vast majority of traffic congestion, noise associated with automobiles, and the resultant dangerous driving and "road rage" during the target hours of eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. and four o'clock (4:00) A.M. in the downtown and Sugar House areas.
n. Traffic accidents have increased citywide since the fall of 1997. Many traffic accidents occur which involve people cruising while drinking alcohol. Many drivers who are cruising are impaired as they consume alcohol or drugs while involved in the gridlock.
B. Definitions:
CRUISING: The driving of a motor vehicle more than two (2) times between the hours of eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. and four o'clock (4:00) A.M., in a particular direction, past a traffic control point.
MOBILE TRAFFIC CONTROL POINT: At any point or points within the traffic congested area established by the police department for the purpose of monitoring violations of law.
TRAFFIC CONGESTION AREA: Any area designated and posted as a no cruising area as set out in section 12.104.060, "Schedule 5, No Cruising Zones", of this title, or any area designated and posted as a temporary no cruising area.
C. Cruising Action Prohibited: No person shall drive or permit a motor vehicle under his/her care, custody, or control to be driven in an area posted as a traffic congested area past a traffic control point in a particular direction more than two (2) times between the hours of eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. and four o'clock (4:00) A.M.
D. Exemptions: This chapter shall not apply to:
1. Any publicly owned vehicle of any city, county, political subdivision, state, or federal agency while in the performance of public duties.
2. Any vehicle licensed for public transportation, including, but not limited to, buses and taxicabs.
3. Any in service emergency vehicle.
4. Any vehicle being driven by a resident of the traffic congestion area, or any vehicle being driven within the traffic congestion area for necessary commercial or medical reasons.
E. Warning Signs Required:
1. Every no cruising area shall be posted with sufficient signs to provide notice of the prohibition.
F. Temporary No Cruising Zones And Traffic Control Points: Mobile traffic control point or points may be established by an officer of the rank of sergeant or higher, creating a written plan describing: 1) the location of the traffic control point; 2) the date, time and location of the traffic control point; 3) any instructions given to the enforcement officers concerning the traffic control point; 4) a brief statement outlining the problem(s) which resulted in the choosing of the date, time and location of the temporary traffic congestion area; and 5) the location of the warning signs. (Ord. 19-11, 2011: Ord. 22-00 § 1, 2000: Ord. 40-99 §§ 1, 2, 1999)