A. Driving On Right Side; Exceptions:
1. Regular Traffic: Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
a. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;
b. When the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair; (1975 Code § 10.04.020)
2. Slow Traffic: Upon all streets or thoroughfares, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. (1975 Code § 10.04.020)
B. Passing Vehicles Proceeding In Opposite Direction: Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right and, upon streets or thoroughfares having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half (1/2) of the main traveled portion of the street or thoroughfare as nearly as possible. (1975 Code § 10.04.030)
C. Overtaking Vehicle On Left: The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated:
1. Vehicle Overtaking: The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
2. Vehicle Being Overtaken: Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. (1975 Code § 10.04.040)
D. Overtaking On Right:
1. When Permitted: The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
a. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;
b. Upon a street or thoroughfare with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles and of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction;
c. Upon a one-way street or upon any roadway upon which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving vehicles.
2. Safe Movement; Driving Off Payment Prohibited: The driver of 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 street or thoroughfare. (1975 Code § 10.04.050)
E. Limitations On Overtaking On Left: No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the street or thoroughfare in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event, the overtaking vehicle must return to the right hand side of the street or thoroughfare before coming within one hundred feet (100') of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. (1975 Code § 10.04.060)
F. Following Too Closely:
1. Due Regard For Speed: The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the street or thoroughfare.
2. Caravan Or Motorcade; Exception: Motor vehicles being driven upon any street or thoroughfare outside of a business or residential district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions. (1975 Code § 10.04.070)
G. Turning Movements; Required Signals:
1. Reasonable Safety; Appropriate Signal: No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. No person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided in the event any other traffic may be affected by such movement.
2. Turning Signals: 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.
3. Stop; Sudden Decrease In Speed: No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal. (1975 Code § 10.04.080)
H. Signals:
1. Stop Or Turn Signals Required: Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by a signal lamp or lamps, except as otherwise provided in subsection H2 of this section.
2. Signal Lights: Any motor vehicle in use on a street or thoroughfare shall be equipped with, and the required signal be given by, a signal lamp or lamps when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds twenty four inches (24"), or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds fourteen feet (14'). The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle or to any combination of vehicles. (1975 Code § 10.04.090; amd. 2008 Code)
3. Hand And Arm Signals: All signals herein required given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner, and such signals shall indicate as follows:
a. Left turn: Hand and arm extended horizontally;
b. Right turn: Hand and arm extended upward;
c. Stop or decrease speed: Hand and arm extended downward. (1975 Code § 10.04.100)
I. Approaching Or Entering Intersection:
1. Yield To Vehicle Already Entered Intersection: The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right of way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different street or thoroughfare.
2. Vehicle On Left To Yield: When two (2) vehicles enter an intersection from different streets or thoroughfares at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right. (1975 Code § 10.04.110)
J. Turning Left At Intersection; Exception: 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 the driver, having so yielded and having given a signal when and as required by this section, may make such left turn, and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection from the opposite direction shall yield the right of way to the vehicle making the left turn. The provisions of this subsection shall not be applicable where it is otherwise directed by appropriate signs or signals. (1975 Code § 10.04.120)
K. Entering Through Street Or Stop Intersection:
1. Through Street: The driver of a vehicle shall stop as hereinafter required at the entrance to a through street or thoroughfare and shall yield the right of way to other vehicles which have entered the intersection from the through street or thoroughfare or which are approaching so closely on the through street or thoroughfare as to constitute an immediate hazard, but the driver, having so yielded, may proceed, and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection on the through street or thoroughfare shall yield the right of way to the vehicle so proceeding into or across the through street or thoroughfare.
2. Stop Intersection: The driver of a vehicle shall likewise stop in obedience to a stop sign as required herein at an intersection where a stop sign is erected at one or more entrances thereto, although not a part of a through street or thoroughfare, and shall proceed cautiously, yielding to vehicles not so obliged to stop which are within the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard, but may then proceed. (1975 Code § 10.04.130)
L. Entering Highway From Private Road Or Driveway: The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a street or thoroughfare from a private road or driveway shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching on the street or thoroughfare. (1975 Code § 10.04.140)
M. Approaching Yield Right Of Way Sign: When the intersection is designated by the council as a yield right of way intersection, the driver of a vehicle approaching the "yield right of way" sign shall slow to a speed of not more than fifteen (15) miles per hour and yield right of way to all vehicles approaching from the right or left on the intersecting roads or streets, which are so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. If a driver is involved in a collision at an intersection or interferes with movement of other vehicles after driving past a "yield right of way" sign, such collision or interference shall be deemed evidence of the driver's failure to yield the right of way. (1975 Code § 10.04.150)
N. Emerging From Alley, Driveway Or Building: The driver of a vehicle within a business or residence district 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 or driveway, and shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian as may be necessary to avoid collision, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway. (1975 Code § 10.04.160)
O. Overtaking And Passing School Bus: The driver of a vehicle upon a street or thoroughfare, upon meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the street or thoroughfare for the purpose of receiving or discharging any schoolchildren, shall stop the vehicle before reaching such school bus when there is in operation on the school bus a visual signal as specified by state law, and the driver shall not proceed until such school bus resumes motion, or is signaled by the school bus driver to proceed or the visual signals are no longer actuated. (1975 Code § 10.04.170)
P. Limitations On Backing: The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic. (1975 Code § 10.04.180)