(a) No person shall drive a vehicle on a street or highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards, then existing. In every event speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the street or highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.
(b) Where no special hazard exists that requires lower speed for compliance with subsection (a) of this section the speed of any vehicle not in excess of the limits specified in this section or established as hereinafter authorized is lawful, but any speed in excess of the limits specified below in this subsection or established as hereinafter authorized is unlawful. The following speed limits apply:
(1) Fifteen miles per hour in a school zone during school recess or while children are going to or leaving school during opening or closing hours. A school zone is all school property including school grounds and any street or highway abutting such school grounds and extending one hundred twenty-five feet along such street or highway from the school grounds and, in the case of school property not abutting a street or highway but accessed through a right-of-way granted for entrance to school property, a school zone established by an engineering study conducted by the Division of Highways is all school property, including school grounds and any property within the access right-of-way, and extending one hundred twenty-five feet along the street or highway from the entrance to the access right-of-way. The speed restriction does not apply to vehicles traveling on a controlled-access highway which is separated from the school or school grounds by a fence or barrier approved by the Division of Highways;
(2) Twenty-five miles per hour at all points within the City except as set forth in subsection (b)(3) through (5) hereof.
(3) Forty miles per hour on West Virginia Route 2 within the corporate limits from miles post 9.44, being the southern corporation limit, to mile post 11.33, being 0.31 miles north of Pleasants County Route 26, a total distance of 1.89 miles.
(4) Fifty-five miles per hour On West Virginia Route 2 within the corporate limits from miles post 11.33, being 0.31 miles north of Pleasants County Route 26, to mile post 12.65, being the northern corporation limits, a total distance of 1.32 miles. (Passed 11-7-73)
(5) Fifteen miles per hour on the following streets:
Poplar from Pike;
Gallagher to Sixth;
Fourth Street from Gallagher to Sycamore Street;
Fifth Street from Gallagher to Sycamore Street;
Sycamore Circle from Sixth Street;
Sixth Street to Cherry Street from Pike;
Fairview Drive from Second Street to Stadium Drive;
Court Lane from Third Street to Barkwill Street;
Riverside Drive from George Street to the north end of Riverside Drive;
Railroad Street from Riverside Drive to Cherry Street;
Bridge Street from Third Street;
Pike Street from Clay Street to Sixth Street.
Morgan Avenue from Court Lane to Pike Street;
Sixth Street from Court Lane to Pike Street; and
Barkwill Street from Court Lane to Pike Street.
(Ord. 2001-5. Passed 6-5-01.)
(c) The City Manager is hereby authorized to erect and maintain signs for the purpose of notifying the general public of such speed limits. The City Manager is further authorized to establish on a temporary basis any additional fifteen mile per hour zones which in his discretion are necessary for the general welfare and safety of the residents of the Municipality as long as same are properly posted in order to notify the general public of such speed limit zones.
(d) The speeds set forth in this section may be altered as authorized in West Virginia Code Article 17C-6.
(e) Whenever the speed limitations have been so altered, either higher or lower, and the appropriate signs giving notice have been erected as required, operators of vehicles shall be governed by the speed limitations set forth on such signs. No person shall exceed the speed limits posted upon such signs.
(f) The driver of every vehicle shall, consistent with the requirements of subsection (a) hereof drive at an appropriate reduced speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.
(g) The speed limit on controlled-access highways and interstate highways, where no special hazards exists that requires a lower speed, shall in no event be lower than fifty-five miles per hour and the speed limits specified in subsection (b) hereof shall not apply.
(Ord. 1996-3. Passed 6-25-96.)