Columbia Rights and duties of motorists and pedestrians in major corridor roadways and major corridor intersections ordinance (§ 14-587)

(a) City council finds and declares that the purpose of this section is to:

(1) Provide additional safety protections for motorists and pedestrians from traffic hazards and potential injuries that they may be exposed to when persons engage in any activity on those portions of public streets with high traffic volumes and/or high-speed limits that are open, improved, and in actual use for vehicular travel, and on medians within public streets that have high traffic volumes and/or highspeed limits;

(2) Provide additional safety protections for motorists and pedestrians from traffic hazards and potential injury which may result from distractions created by persons engaging in activities on public streets with high traffic volumes and/or high-speed limits or medians within public streets that have high traffic volumes and/or high-speed limits; and

(3) Provide additional safety protections for the safe and expeditious flow of traffic at city intersections for both pedestrians and vehicles.

(b) Definitions. The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this section shall have the following meanings, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Major corridor intersection. For the purposes of this section only, any intersection with a speed limit, on at least one (2) approach, of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or greater; and/or average traffic volumes greater than fifteen thousand (15,000) vehicles per day on at least one (1) roadway; and/or a median less than six (6) feet wide in at least one (1) roadway; and which has been designated as a major corridor intersection by the director of public works. "Major corridor intersection" shall include the intersecting roadways of a major corridor intersection for a distance of one hundred (100) feet from the intersection.

Major corridor roadway. For the purposes of this section only, any roadway with a speed limit of at least thirtyfive (35) miles per hour or greater and/or average traffic volumes greater than fifteen thousand (15,000) vehicles per day; and any other roadway which has been designated as a major corridor roadway by the director of public works.

Median or island. The area between separated traffic lanes measured from edge of the traveled way to edge of the traveled way, including areas between traffic lanes for control of vehicular movements. Such an area may be physically defined by curbing, landscaping, or other physical obstacles to the area's use by vehicles or by traffic control markings, such as paint.

(c)

The director of public works is authorized to designate roadways as major corridor roadways and intersections as major corridor intersections in accordance with the criteria listed above and list them in a schedule established from time-to-time and placed on file with the city clerk. Such schedule shall also be posted on the city website by the director of public works.

(d) Prohibitions.

(1) No person shall cross a major corridor roadway at any place except in a crosswalk when such crosswalk is reasonably accessible and usable. Where there is no crosswalk, a person shall cross only where a pedestrian-control signal is located. Where there is no crosswalk or pedestrian-control signal, a person shall cross only at an intersection. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit a pedestrian from crossing at a location other than a crosswalk when existing curb ramps, intersection geometry, signalization, or sidewalk conditions render the crosswalk inaccessible or unsafe.

(2) No person shall be located upon a median in a major corridor intersection or on a median that is less than six (6) feet in width unless in the process of legally crossing a roadway. Failure of a person to leave the median after two consecutive opportunities to cross the roadway in a lawful manner is prima facie evidence of a violation of this subsection. This subsection shall not apply to any person whose disability, mobility limitation, use of assistive device, accompaniment of a child or service animal, or safety considerations make compliance impracticable.

(3) Except in the event of a vehicular or medical emergency, it shall be unlawful for an occupant of a vehicle to exit a vehicle while located within a traveling lane of traffic on a major corridor roadway or within a major corridor intersection.

(4) No person, other than an occupant of a vehicle, shall be upon a major corridor roadway when a continuous, accessible pedestrian route is available and usable, except to lawfully cross such roadway. A 'continuous, accessible pedestrian route' means a sidewalk or path of travel that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including accessible curb ramps, surface condition, width, grade, and freedom from obstruction due to construction, weather, or disrepair.

(5) No person while upon a major corridor roadway shall approach a vehicle upon such roadway, except a vehicle that is lawfully parked.

(6) No person shall intentionally cause or require a vehicle to stop, stand, or maneuver in a travel lane of a major corridor roadway in a manner that impedes traffic flow or creates an immediate traffic hazard, except where such stopping is otherwise required by traffic control devices or congestion.

(7) No occupant of a vehicle shall stop or stand a vehicle in a travel lane of a major corridor roadway in a manner that creates an immediate traffic hazard, except as required by traffic control devices or emergencies.

(e) Exceptions. This section shall not apply to:

(1) Any law enforcement officer acting within the scope of such officer's official duties;

(2) Any person engaged in rescue activities, including aiding an injured person or disabled vehicle;

(3) Any person engaged in emergency repair or maintenance of a vehicle;

(4) Public employees acting within the scope of their duties;

(5) Any person performing work in a major corridor roadway pursuant to a valid permit;

(6) Any person occupying the roadway or distributing anything to or accepting anything from the occupant of a vehicle during a permitted special event; provided, however, all individuals participating in or attending a special event shall be required to comply with any rules, regulations and temporary traffic control measures established for the safe conduct of the special event;

(7) Any person entering a stopped vehicle in a designated passenger loading zone as an invited passenger where it is lawful to do so, including accessing taxicabs or public transportation; or

(8) Any person lawfully operating a cycle as set forth in Article VII of this chapter.