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Traffic Code

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Traffic code (also motor vehicle code) refers to the collection of local statutes,

regulations, ordinances and rules that have been officially adopted in the United

States to govern the orderly operation and interaction of motor vehicles,

bicycles, pedestrians and others upon the public (and sometimes private) ways.

The traffic code generally includes provisions relating to the establishment of

authority and enforcement procedures, statement of the rules of the road, and

other safety provisions. Administrative regulations for driver licensing, vehicle

ownership and registration, insurance, vehicle safety inspections and parking

violations may also be included, though not always directly related to driving

safety. Violations of traffic code (i.e., a "moving violation") are often dealt with

by forfeiting a fine in response to receiving a valid citation ("getting a ticket").

Other violations, such as drunk driving or vehicular homicide are handled

through the criminal courts, although there may also be civil and administrative

cases that arise from the same violation (including payment of damages and loss

of driving privileges). In some jurisdictions there is a separate code-enforcement

branch of government that handles illegal parking and other non-moving

violations (e.g., noise and other emissions, illegal equipment). Elsewhere, there

may be multiple overlapping police agencies patrolling for violations of state or

federal driving regulations.

In the United States each state has its own traffic code, although most of the

rules of the road are similar for the purpose of uniformity, given that all states

grant reciprocal driving privileges (and penalties) to each other's licensed

drivers. There is also a "Uniform Vehicle Code" which has been proposed by a

private, non-profit group, based upon input by its members. As with many such

offerings, some states adopt selected portions as written, or else with

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modifications, and others create their own versions. Similarly, most states have

adopted relevant standards for signs and signals, based upon the Manual on

Uniform Traffic Control Devices from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Many of the standard rules of the road involve consistent interpretation of the

standard signs and signals, such as what to do when approaching a stop sign, or

the driving requirements imposed by a double yellow line on the street or

highway. Many federal departments have also adopted their own traffic code for

enforcement on their respective reservations (e.g., national parks, military

bases).

List of some standard Rules of the Road:

 Entering and leaving roadways.

 Right of way at marked and unmarked intersections under various

conditions.

 Observing and interpreting traffic signs (especially warning, priority or

prohibitory traffic signs)

 Keeping to right side (or left side) except to pass others, where passing is

allowed.

 Direction of travel and turning (one way, do not enter, no U-turn, etc.)

 Speed, height, width and weight limits.

 Bicycle and pedestrian priority.

 Yielding to special vehicles (emergency, funeral, school bus).

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 Vehicle lighting and signalling.

 Stopping if there has been a collision.