HomeMy WebLinkAbout134 - 12/04/2012 - AMENDING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE FORT COLLINS TRAFFIC CODE ORDINANCE NO. 134, 2012
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE
FORT COLLINS TRAFFIC CODE
WHEREAS, on February 18, 2003, by Ordinance No. 016, 2003, the City Council adopted
the Fort Collins Traffic Code (the "Traffic Code"); and
WHEREAS, at the time of the adoption of the Traffic Code, it was the expectation of staff
and the City Council that the Traffic Code would likely be subject to future amendments, not only
for the purposes of clarification and correction of errors, but also to ensure that the Traffic Code
remains consistent with State law; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado General Assembly has amended certain statutory provisions
relating to obstruction of view, child restraint, low speed vehicles, and operation of longer vehicle
combinations; and
WHEREAS, City staff have made suggestions for clarifying the provisions of the Traffic
Code related to parking and definition changes to be consistent with state law; and
WHEREAS, it is the City Council's desire to amend the Fort Collins Traffic Code to reflect
the changes made by the General Assembly and adopt clarifying modifications proposed by the City
staff, and
WHEREAS,the City Council has determined that the Traffic Code amendments which have
been proposed are in the best interest of the City and are necessary for the health, safety and welfare
of its citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That Section 201(3) of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
201. Obstruction of view or driving mechanism - hazardous situation.
(3) No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer,
screen or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast which is
located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's
seat or which is visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle,except
law enforcement or emergency services personnel while operating an
emergency vehicle. The provisions of this Subsection (3) shall not be
interpreted to prohibit the usage of any computer, data terminal or safety
equipment in a motor vehicle as long as the computer,data terminal,or safety
equipment is not used to display visual entertainment, including internet
browsing, social media, and e-mail, to the driver while the motor vehicle is
in motion.
Section 2. That Section 236(3) of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
236. Child restraint systems required - definitions - exceptions.
(3) Except as provided in Section 116(4) of this Traffic Code, the requirement
of Subsection (2) of this Section shall not apply to a child who:
(a) Is less than eight (8) years of age and is being transported in a motor
vehicle as a result of a medical or other life-threatening emergency
and a child restraint system is not available; or
(b) Is being transported in a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in
Section 42-2-402(4)(a),C.R.S.,that is operated by a child care center;
or
(c) Is the driver of a motor vehicle and is subject to the safety belt
requirements provided in Section 237' or
(d) Is being transported in a motor vehicle that is operated in the business
of transporting persons for compensation or hire by or on behalf of a
motor vehicle carrier as defined in Section 40-10.1-101, C.R.S., a
contract carrier by motor vehicle as defined in Section 40-11-101(3),
C.R.S., or an operator of a luxury limousine service as defined in
Section 40-10.1-301. C.R.S.
Section 3. That Section 505(2)(b) of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended
to read as follows:
505. Longer vehicle combinations.
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(2) The permits shall allow operation, over designated highways, of the
following vehicle combinations of not more than three (3) cargo units and
neither fewer than six (6) axles nor more than nine (9) axles:
(b) An unladen truck tractor,semi-trailer and single trailer.A semi-trailer
used with a converter dolly shall be considered a trailer. Semi-trailers
and trailers shall be of approximately equal lengths not to exceed
forty-eight(48) feet in length. Notwithstanding any other restriction
set forth in this Section,such combination may have up to eleven(11)
axles when used to transport empty trailers.
Section 4. That Section 1204(2)(g)of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended
to read as follows:
1204. Stopping, standing or parking prohibited in specified places.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection(4)of this Section, in addition to
the restrictions specified in Subsection (1) of this Section, no person shall
stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other
traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer, emergency
services personnel, or an official traffic control device, in any of the
following places:
(g) At any other place where official signs or red curb markings are used
to prohibit standing or parking.
Section 5. That Section 1410.1 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
1410.1 Low-speed electric vehicles.
(1) Except as provided in Section 42-4-111(1)(aa), C.R.S., no person
shall operate a low-speed electric vehicle on a highway.
(2) No person shall operate a low-speed electric vehicle on a limited access
highway.
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Section 6. That Section 2002 of the Fort Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended by the
addition of a new definition "Low-speed electric vehicle" which reads in its entirety as follows:
Low-speed electric vehicle. A vehicle that:
(a) is self-propelled utilizing electricity as its primary propulsion method;
(b) has at least three wheels in contact with the ground;
(c) does not use handlebars to steer; and
(d) exhibits the manufacturer's compliance with 49 CFR 565 or displays a
seventeen-character vehicle identification number as provided in 49 CFR
565.
Section 7. That the definition "Motor vehicle" contained in Section 2002 of the Fort
Collins Traffic Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
(15) Motor vehicle. Any self-propelled vehicle that is designed primarily for
travel on the public highways and that is generally and commonly used to
transport persons and property over the public highways,except that the term
does not include low-power scooters, wheelchairs, or vehicles moved solely
by human power. Motor vehicle includes a low-speed electric vehicle. For
the purposes of the offense described in Section 1401 of the Traffic Code,
motor vehicle includes a farm tractor or an off-highway vehicle that is not
otherwise classified as a motor vehicle.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 20th day of
November,A.D. 2012,and to be presented for final passage on the 4th day of December,A.D. 2012.
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Mayor ro em
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City Clerk °QgOO
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 4th day of December, A.D. 2012.
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City Clerk
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