Palo Alto Municipal Code Ch. 10.08 Enforcement and Obedience to Traffic Regulations

Sections:

* For state law as to required obedience to traffic-control devices and signals - See Veh. C.A., §§ 21461-21462.

(a) It shall be the duty of the members of the police department or such persons as m assigned by the chief of police to enforce all street traffic laws of this city and all of the state vehicle laws applicable to street traffic in this city.

(b) Members of the police department or such officers as are assigned by the chief of police are authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand or signal in conformance with traffic laws, provided that in the event of a fire or other emergency or to expedite traffic or to safeguard pedestrians, members of the police department may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of the traffic laws.

(c) Members of the fire department, when at the scene of a fire, may direct or assist the police in directing traffic thereat or in the immediate vicinity.

(Ord. 1714 (part), 1956: prior code § 19.21)

The city may enter into a contract with a duly qualified company, approved by the chief of police, to provide enforcement of Chapter 10.50 relating to RPP District parking violations (as permissible by the Palo Alto Municipal Code.)

(Ord. 5294 § 3, 2015)

No person other than a member of the police department or a person assigned by the chief of police or person authorized by law shall direct or attempt to direct traffic by voice, hand or other signal, except that persons may operate when provided any mechanical pushbutton signal erected by order of the city manager.

(Ord. 1714 (part), 1956: prior code § 19.22)

(a) Each community service officer shall be appointed by the city manager and shall be issued a badge plainly designating his office. He shall be sworn in as a special police officer of the city and may operate authorized emergency vehicles of the police department of the city; provided, however, that a community service officer is not otherwise to be a member of the police department of the city.

(b) Each community service officer shall keep his badge in his possession and shall wear an insignia plainly designating his office while engaged in the discharge of his duties.

(c) Each community service officer is charged with the duty of enforcing all laws of the city and of the state applicable to bicycles and bicyclists and to enforce all traffic laws of the city and of the state applicable to traffic within bicycle lanes and bicycle paths.

(d) It is unlawful for any person to resist or interfere with a community service officer in the discharge of his duties.

(Ord. 2690 § 2, 1972)

The provisions of this title shall apply to the driver of any vehicle owned by or used in the service of the United States Government, this state, any county or city, and it shall be unlawful for any said driver to violate any of the provisions of this title except as otherwise permitted in this title or by state statute.

(Ord. 1714 (part), 1956: prior code § 19.23)

(a) The provisions of this title regulating the operation, parking and standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of the police or fire departments, any public ambulance or any public utility vehicle or any private ambulance, which public utility vehicle or private ambulance has qualified as an authorized emergency vehicle, when any vehicle mentioned in this section is operated in the manner specified in the Vehicle Code in response to an emergency call.

(b) The foregoing exemptions shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of his willful disregard of the safety of others.

(c) The provisions of this title regulating the parking or standing of vehicles shall not apply to any vehicle of a city department or public utility while necessarily in use for construction or maintenance work upon the streets of this city.

(Ord 1714 (part), 1956: prior code § 19.24)

(a) The driver of any vehicle or the person in charge of any animal who is involved in an accident resulting in death or injury to any person, damage to the property of any one person in excess of one hundred dollars or any damage to city-owned property shall, within twenty-four hours, report such accident to the police department on a form provided by the police department.

(b) Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of giving a report, and there was another occupant capable of doing so, such occupant shall give or cause such report to be given.

(c) The person in charge of any garage or repair shop to which is brought any motor vehicle which shows evidence of having been involved in an accident of which report must be made, as provided in subsection (a), shall, during such periods as designated by the chief of police, notify the police department immediately after such motor vehicle is received.

(d) Every person, firm or corporation, or officer, manager, agent or employee thereof who repossesses in the city any motor vehicle sold, exchanged or financed by such person, firm or corporation, shall, immediately after such repossession, make out and file, either in person or by authorized agent, at the Palo Alto police department, a full and complete report of the repossession of such vehicle or vehicles. The report shall be written and shall contain the name and address of the person, firm or corporation making such repossession, the name and address of the person, firm or corporation from whom such possession was made, the make, the state license number, motor number, style and seating capacity of the motor vehicle repossessed. Such report shall not be required when a repossession is made with the knowledge of the person in charge of such vehicle.

(Ord 1714 (part), 1956: prior code § 19.25)