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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.