§ 25-64. Imposition of civil penalty for violation.

(a)

The city council finds and determines that a vehicle that proceeds into an intersection when the traffic control signal for that vehicle's direction of travel is emitting a steady red light signal damages the public by endangering motor vehicle operators and pedestrians alike, by decreasing the efficiency of traffic control and traffic flow efforts, and by increasing the number of serious crashes to which public safety agencies must respond at the expense of the taxpayers. The city council also finds and determines that a vehicle that proceeds onto or across a railroad track at a time when the warning lights have been activated or the crossing gates are in the process of being lowered, or have been lowered, damages the public by endangering motor vehicle operators and pedestrians, by decreasing the efficiency of traffic control, and by increasing the number of crashes between trains and other vehicles, causing death, destruction, and increase in response time to such accidents.

(b)

The owner of a motor vehicle is liable for a civil penalty of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) if the motor vehicle proceeds into an intersection at a system location when the traffic control signal for that motor vehicle's direction of travel is emitting a steady red signal, or in a situation where a vehicle crosses a railroad track or attempts to cross the track at a time with the warning lights are active.

(c)

An owner who fails to timely pay the civil penalty shall be subject to a late payment penalty of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

(d)

If any state statute is enacted which enables the city to set a higher civil penalty for such offense, the city will take appropriate action to establish that higher penalty.

(Ord. No. 7433, § 1, 7-25-06; Ord. No. 7647, § 1, 9-18-07)