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 Richmond
 Code of Ordinances
 Chapter 27. TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES
 Article II. MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES

  § 27-40. Automobile cruising.  

Latest version.

  • (a)

    Purpose. The City hereby finds and declares that the unregulated practice of cruising at various areas in the City creates substantial vehicular traffic congestion, including extended periods of gridlock; interferes with the smooth and orderly flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic; unduly interferes with the ability of police, fire, and rescue vehicles to respond to calls for assistance; facilitates prostitution, sodomy, and other illegal activities, and thereby endangers the health, safety and welfare of the City. By adoption of this section, it is the intent of the City to regulate cruising at areas that are designated as provided herein and thereby to alleviate the problems associated therewith.

    (b)

    Definitions. The following words and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed thereto:

    Cruising orto cruise means to operate a motor vehicle past a traffic control point more than two times in the same direction during a three-hour period.

    Enforcement period means the period between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., inclusive.

    Restricted area means any area that has been posted by the Department of Police with signs at all street entrances to the area stating "No cruising area 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. unlawful to pass this point in same direction more than two times in three-hour period"; and with signs at all street exits from the area stating "End of no cruising area."

    Traffic control point means the location of any sign indicating that cruising is prohibited, or any point designated by the Chief of Police or a duly authorized designee in a restricted area.

    (c)

    Designation of restricted area. Restricted areas may be designated by either a resolution adopted by the City Council or an order of the Chief of Police. Upon designation of a restricted area, the Chief of Police shall post such restricted area as indicated in Subsection (b) of this section and shall designate traffic control points as prescribed by the resolution adopted by the City Council or, if there is no such prescription, as the Chief of Police deems necessary for the enforcement of this section.

    (d)

    Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person to cruise in the restricted area during the enforcement period. A violation of this subsection shall constitute a traffic infraction, and each successive trip past a traffic control point after a violation has occurred shall constitute a separate violation.

    (e)

    Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to the operator of a government vehicle in the conduct of official duties, to the operator of a common carrier, to the operator of any motor vehicle when such vehicle is being operated for business purposes, to the operator of a vehicle transporting persons to or from lawful employment, or to an operator of any motor vehicle when the operator is returning to the operator's residence in the immediate area.

    (Code 1993, § 28-24.1; Code 2004, § 102-45; Ord. No. 2004-226-223, § 1, 8-4-2004)

    State Law reference— Regulation or prohibition of vehicular traffic on certain privately owned public parking areas and driveways, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1219.1.

(Code 1993, § 28-24.1; Code 2004, § 102-45; Ord. No. 2004-226-223, § 1, 8-4-2004)

State law reference

Regulation or prohibition of vehicular traffic on certain privately owned public parking areas and driveways, Code of Virginia, § 46.2-1219.1.