(A) No operator of a vehicle upon a highway shall drive at a greater speed than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the traffic and for the condition and use of the highway.
(B) Where no condition exists that requires lower speed for compliance with division (A) of this section, the speed of any vehicle not in excess of the limit specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized shall be lawful, but any speed in excess of the limit specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized shall be unlawful:
(1) (a) For all vehicles, 25 miles per hour in any business or residential district;
(b) The foregoing speed limits shall not apply to or change the speed limits on any highways or street within the state highway system or county highway system.
(2) All vehicles, when using off-street parking facilities offered for public use whether publicly or privately owned, 15 miles per hour.
(C) (1) Whenever the city determines, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, that the speed permitted under division (B) above is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any location within the city, the city may determine and authorize by ordinance or order a reasonable and safe speed limit at such location which shall be effective at all times or during the hours of daytime or nighttime, or at such times as may be determined when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are appropriately erected at such location. In no event, however, shall the city increase any speed limit established by division (B) above so as to permit in any instance a speed limit in excess of 55 miles per hour.
(2) Such alteration of speed limits on any state highways within the city shall not be effective until the alteration has been approved by the State Commissioner of Highways. In no event shall the Commissioner approve any alteration which would increase any speed limit established by division (B) above so as to permit in any instance a speed limit in excess of 55 miles per hour.
(D) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
(E) In every charge for a violation of any speed limit specified in this section or established as herein authorized, the warrant or citation shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven, as well as the lawful speed limit applicable at the location where the violation is charged to have occurred.
(F) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:
(1) “BUSINESS DISTRICT.” The territory contiguous to and including a highway when, within any 600 feet along such highway, there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes which occupy 300 feet of frontage on one side or 300 feet collectively on both sides of the highway.
(2) “RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.” The territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district, when the property on such highway for a distance of 300 feet or more is in the main improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.
(3) “STATE HIGHWAY.” A highway or street maintained by the State Department of Highways.
(4) “NIGHTTIME.” The period from one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise, and at such other periods as atmospheric conditions render visibility as low as or lower than is ordinarily the case during that period; “DAYTIME” means at any other period.
(G) Penalty. The fines for violating the speed limits set forth in this section shall be the same as are set forth in the fine schedule of KRS 189.394.
(Ord. 44-1939, passed 7-21-39; Am. Ord. 18-1995, passed 2-5-96; Am. Ord. 8-2019, passed 9-16-19)
Statutory Reference
Speed limits, KRS 189.390