Chapter 6.20 Operation of Vehicles

Sections
6.20.010    Town speed limit
6.20.020    Stopping at signs and signals at through streets
6.20.030    Placement of stop signs
6.20.040    Yielding
6.20.050    Vehicles to stop at stop signs
6.20.060    Emerging from alley or private driveway
6.20.070    Vehicle noise
6.20.080    Miscellaneous driving rules

6.20.010  Town speed limit
All roads, streets, and avenues within the town shall be designated as having a maximum speed limit of thirty (30) miles per hour unless the road, street or avenue is otherwise posted. (Ord. 10-29-90 § 1)

6.20.020  Stopping at signs and signals at through streets
Every driver of a vehicle of other conveyance traveling on any street intersecting any through street and where stop signs are erected, shall stop such vehicle or other conveyance at the place where such street meets the prolongation of the nearest property line of such street, subject however, to the direction of any traffic control, sign or signal or any police officer at such intersection. (Ord. 2-1-54, Art. VI § 2)

6.20.030  Placement of stop signs
The board of selectmen shall cause to be erected and maintained at each intersection specified in this title and at such other intersections as it may deem advisable appropriate signs (and in addition to such signs may cause to be placed and maintained marks or signs on the surface of the highway) such signs to bear the word “Stop.” Stop signs shall be located in such position and be provided with lettering of a size to be clearly visible and legible from a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet from the intersection. (Ord. 2-1-54, Art. VI § 3)

6.20.040  Yielding
The driver of any vehicle who has stopped as required by law in obedience to a stop sign at an intersection shall yield to other vehicles within the intersection or approaching so closely on the intersecting street as to constitute an immediate hazard, but such driver having yielded may proceed, and other vehicles approaching the intersection on the intersecting street shall yield to the vehicle so proceeding into or crossing the intersecting street. (Ord. 2-1-54, Art. VI § 4)

6.20.050  Vehicles to stop at stop signs
When stop signs are erected as provided in this title at or near the entrance of any intersection, every driver of a vehicle shall stop such vehicle at such sign or at a clearly marked stop line before entering the intersection except when directed to proceed by a policeman or traffic control signal. (Ord. 2-1-54, Art. VI § 9)

6.20.060   Emerging from alley or private driveway
The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across the alleyway, yielding the right-of-way to any pedestrian as may be necessary to avoid collision and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on such roadway. (Ord. 2-1-54, Art. VI § 10)

6.20.070  Vehicle noise

1. Unnecessary Noise. No person shall operate any vehicle on any way in Milford so as to make any loud, unusual or other unnecessary noise as defined in subsection B of this section.
2. Definitions:
   1. “Loud, unusual or other unnecessary noise,” means and includes any noise occasioned by any one or more of the following actions of the operator of any vehicle:
      1. Misuse of power exceeding tire traction limits in acceleration, sometimes known as “laying down rubber” or “peeling rubber,” or
      2. Misuse of braking power exceeding tire traction limits in deceleration where there is no emergency, or
      3. Rapid acceleration by means of quick up-shifting of transmission gears with either a clutch and manual transmission, or automatic transmission, or
      4. Rapid deceleration by means of quick downshifting or transmission gears with either a clutch or manual transmission or an automatic transmission, or
      5. Racing of engines by manipulation of the accelerator, gas pedal, carburetor, or gear selection whether the vehicle is either in motion or standing still, or
      6. The blowing of any horn except as a warning signal or the use of any other noise-making device whether the vehicle is either in motion or standing still, or
      7. The operation of a refrigeration unit or other types of compressors, between the hours of eight p.m. and seven a.m., while the vehicle is not in motion except for emergency use or while actually loading or unloading,
      8. No sound reproduction systems operated within a motor vehicle shall be used in such a manner as to create unnecessary noise for any person other than the driver and passengers in such vehicle.
   2. “Vehicle,” means and includes bus, highway equipment, motorcycle, motor truck, motor vehicle, semi-trailer, sidecar, tractor, trailer, or other vehicle as defined by NH RSA 259:1.
   3. “Way,” means and includes crosswalk, intersecting way or other public highway, or other way, all as defined by NH RSA 259:1.
3. Penalty. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation and upon conviction of such violation shall be liable as further described in Milford Municipal Code Appendix B – fines. (Ord. 6-11-90)

6.20.080  Miscellaneous driving rules

1. Operation of Vehicles on Approach of Authorized Emergency Vehicles. Upon the approach of any authorized emergency vehicle or vehicles giving signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle, the driver of every vehicle shall immediately drive to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right hand edge or curb of the street, clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicles shall have passed, unless directed otherwise by a police officer.
2. Following Fire Apparatus Prohibited. It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle, other than one on official business to follow closer than three hundred (300) feet from any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm, or to drive into or stop any vehicle within five hundred (500) feet from where any fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
3. Crossing Fire Hose. No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of the fire department when laid down on any street or private driveway to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the fire chief or fire department official in command.
4. Driving Through a Procession. It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to drive between the vehicles comprising a funeral or other authorized procession while they are in motion, provided that such vehicles are conspicuously so designated, unless they are directed so to do by a police officer.
5. Limitations on Turning Around. It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made in safety and without otherwise interfering with other traffic.
6. Limitations on Backing. The driver of a vehicle shall not back the vehicle unless such movement can be made in safety.
7. Emerging From Alley or Private Driveway or Building. The driver of a vehicle shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway.
8. Driving on Sidewalk. The driver of a vehicle shall not drive within any sidewalk area extending across the alleyway.
9. Obstruction to Driver’s View of Driving Mechanism.
   1. It is unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to drive the vehicle when such vehicle is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat of such vehicle such number of persons, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides, or to interfere with the operator’s control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle;
   2. It is unlawful for any passenger in a vehicle to ride in such a position as to interfere with the driver’s view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with the driver’s control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
10. Boarding or Alighting From Vehicles. It is unlawful for any person to board or alight from any bus, public conveyance or other vehicle while such vehicle is in motion.
11. Unlawful Riding. It is unlawful for any person to ride on any portion or part of any vehicle which was not designed or intended for the use of passengers when the vehicle is in motion. This provision shall not apply to an employee engaged in the necessary discharge of a duty, or to persons riding within truck bodies in space intended for merchandise. (Ord. 4.23-01 § 3; Ord. 2-1.54, Art. VII § § —11)