CHAPTER 70

ADMINISTRATION OF TRAFFIC CODE

70.01    TITLE. Chapters 70 through 80 of this Code of Ordinances may be known and cited as the “<City> Traffic Code.”

70.02    DEFINITIONS. Where words and phrases used in the Traffic Code are defined by State law, such definitions apply to their use in said Traffic Code and are adopted by reference. Those definitions so adopted that need further definition or are reiterated, and other words and phrases used herein, have the following meanings:

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.1)

1. “Business District” means all that part of the City lying within the following described areas:

Beginning at a point on the north side of High Street at the river, extending west to the west side of Fourth Street, thence south along the west side of Fourth Street to Columbia Street, thence west along the north side of Columbia Street to the west side of Fifth Street; thence south along the west side of Fifth Street to Washington Street; thence west along the north side of Washington Street to the east side of Central Avenue, thence south along the east side of Central Avenue to the south side of Market Street; thence east along the south side of Market Street to the west side of Third Street; thence south along the west side of Third Street to the north side of Division Street; thence east along the north side of Division Street extended to the river; thence north along the Mississippi River to the point of beginning.

AND

Beginning at the south side of Maple Street at its intersection with the west side of Central Avenue; thence east along the south side of Maple Street to the east side of Eighth Street; thence north along the east side of Eighth Street to the north side of Maple Street; thence west along the north side of Maple Street to the west side of Central Avenue; thence south along the west side of Central Avenue to the south side of Maple Street, the point of beginning.

2. “Park” or “parking” means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.

3. “Peace officer” means every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.

4. “Residence district” means the territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business, suburban or school district, where forty percent (40%) or more of the frontage on such a highway for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or more is occupied by dwellings or by dwellings and buildings in use for business.

5. “School district” means the territory contiguous to and including a highway for a distance of two hundred (200) feet in either direction from a school house.

6. “Stand” or “standing” means the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.

7. “Stop” means when required, the complete cessation of movement.

8. “Stop” or “stopping” means when prohibited, any halting of a vehicle, even momentarily, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or traffic control sign or signal.

9. “Suburban district” means all other parts of the city not included in the business, school or residence districts.

10. “Traffic control device” means all signs, signals, markings, and devices not inconsistent with this chapter, lawfully placed or erected for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.

11. “Vehicle” means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, street, or alley.

70.03    ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT. Provisions of this chapter and State law relating to motor vehicles and law of the road are enforced by the Police Department.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13 [4])

70.04    POWER TO DIRECT TRAFFIC. A peace officer, and, in the absence of a peace officer, any officer of the fire department when at the scene of a fire, is authorized to direct all traffic by voice, hand or signal in conformance with traffic laws. In the event of an emergency, traffic may be directed as conditions require, notwithstanding the provisions of the traffic laws.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 102.4 & 321.236[2])

70.05    TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: REPORTS. The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident within the limits of the City shall file a report as and when required by the Iowa Department of Transportation. A copy of this report shall be filed with the City for the confidential use of peace officers and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 321.271 of the Code of Iowa.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.273)

70.06    PEACE OFFICER’S AUTHORITY. A peace officer is authorized to stop a vehicle to require exhibition of the driver’s license of the driver, to serve a summons or memorandum of traffic violation, to inspect the condition of the vehicle, to inspect the vehicle with reference to size, weight, cargo, log book, bills of lading or other manifest of employment, tires and safety equipment, or to inspect the registration certificate, the compensation certificate, travel order, or permit of such vehicle. A peace officer having probable cause to stop a vehicle may require exhibition of the proof of financial liability coverage card issued for the vehicle.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.492)

70.07    OBEDIENCE TO PEACE OFFICERS. No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any peace officer invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.229)