Chapter 10.04
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
Sections:
10.04.030 Obedience to police officers.
10.04.040 State traffic laws adopted by reference.
10.04.070 Lawful and unlawful speeds.
10.04.100 When speed limits not applicable.
10.04.120 Unlawful motorcycle operation.
10.04.010 Applicability.
The provisions of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways in the unincorporated area in the county, except where a different place is specifically referred to in a given section. (Ord. 10-20-67 § 2(A))
10.04.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
“Alley” means:
1. A highway which has been officially named and signposted with such name and which name includes “alley”;
2. A highway which has not been officially named and signposted with such name and which primarily furnishes access to the rear entrances of abutting property.
“Board of commissioners” means the board of county commissioners of Humboldt County, Nevada, having authority to enact laws regulating traffic.
“Business district” means the territory contiguous to and including a highway, when, within any six hundred feet along such highway, there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks or office buildings, railroad stations and public buildings which occupy at least three hundred feet of frontage on one side or three hundred feet collectively on both sides of the highway.
“Congested area” means any business district, residential district or urban district, as defined in this section, within the unincorporated area of the county and any territory within a subdivision platted and approved by the county pursuant to the provisions of NRS Chapter 278 or any other provision of law.
“County” means Humboldt County, acting by and through its duly elected board of county commissioners.
“Driver” means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
“Highway” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained by the county when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel, located within the unincorporated area of the county.
“Motorcycle” means every motor vehicle equipped with a seat or a saddle for the use of the driver and designated travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, including a power cycle and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles, but excluding a tractor or a moped.
“Motor vehicle” means every vehicle which is self-propelled but not operated upon rails.
“Operator” means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway or who is exercising control over or steering a vehicle being towed by a motor vehicle.
“Owner” means a person who holds the legal title to a vehicle; or, in the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purposes of this chapter.
“Person” means every natural person, firm, trust, copartnership, association or corporation.
“Police officer” means every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic laws or regulations in the unincorporated area of the county.
“Private road” and “driveway” means every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.
“Stop,” when required, means complete cessation from movement.
“Urban district” means the territory contiguous to and including any highway which is built up with structures devoted to business, industry or dwelling houses situated at average intervals of less than one hundred feet for a distance of a quarter mile or more.
“Vehicle” means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. (Ord. 6-15-92B; Ord. 10-20-67 § 1)
10.04.030 Obedience to police officers.
No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer invested by law with authority to direct, control or regulate traffic. (Ord. 10-20-67 § 2(B))
10.04.040 State traffic laws adopted by reference.
This chapter is enacted to supplement state traffic laws. The provisions of NRS Chapter 484, as amended and as may be amended from time to time by the Nevada State Legislature, are adopted by reference. It is the intent of the board of county commissioners that the state traffic laws shall apply to all streets, alleys and highways in the unincorporated area of the county. (Ord. 10-20-67 § 2(C))
10.04.050 Reckless driving.
A. It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate a vehicle of any kind or character:
1. In a reckless manner on any street or highway in the county;
2. In any other than a careful and prudent manner;
3. At a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having due regard for the traffic and the surface and width of the highway; or
4. At such a rate of speed as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person.
B. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord. 10-20-67 § 3(A))
10.04.060 Speed limits.
The prima facie speed limit is fifteen miles per hour in the following areas:
A. 1. When passing within an area of three hundred feet from a school building or the grounds thereof during school days between the hours of eight a.m. and four p.m. or at such times and distances as the appropriate signs or signals indicate;
2. When turning a corner from one street or highway into another in any congested area as defined in this chapter; and
3. In any public parks within the unincorporated areas of the county.
B. The prima facie speed limit is twenty-five miles per hour upon any street, highway or alley in any congested area, as defined in this chapter, in the unincorporated area of the county, unless a speed limit is otherwise established.
C. The county commissioners may, by resolution, establish restricted speed zones within the unincorporated areas of the county. Before setting such speed limits, the county commissioners shall consult with the sheriff and the road department supervisor for recommendations. Upon posting of the appropriate signs, the speed restriction reflected on signs becomes effective and a violation of such restriction is unlawful pursuant to HCC 10.04.110. (Ord. 8-19-96; Ord. 5-4-89 § 1; Ord. 10-17-88D § 1; Ord. 12-21-87A § 2; Ord. 8-27-84 § 1; Ord. 5-11-81A § 1; Ord. 9-16-76 § 1; Ord. 10-20-67 § 3(B))
10.04.070 Lawful and unlawful speeds.
A. Speed of any vehicle upon a street or highway not in excess of the limits specified in this chapter or under the terms of this chapter is lawful unless proved to be in violation of HCC 10.04.050(A).
B. Speed of any vehicle upon a street, highway or alley in excess of any of the limits specified in this chapter or under the terms of this chapter is prima facie evidence that such speed is unlawful. (Ord. 10-20-67 § 3(C))
10.04.090 Minimum speed.
It is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle upon a street or highway in the county 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 because upon a grade. (Ord. 10-20-67 § 3(E))
10.04.100 When speed limits not applicable.
The speed limits set forth in this chapter do not apply to authorized emergency vehicles when driven in response to an emergency call or in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, and the drivers thereof sound audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle. This provision does not relieve from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the street, nor does it protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequence of a reckless disregard of the safety of others. (Ord. 10-20-67 § 3(F))
10.04.110 Violation—Penalty.
Any person who violates any of the sections or provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in Chapter 1.08 HCC. (Ord. 10-20-67 § 4)
10.04.120 Unlawful motorcycle operation.
It is unlawful to operate any motorcycle in such a manner as to create excessive noise and/or dust that disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or person or family. (Ord. 6-15-92B)