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An ordinance amending Section 12.12.170 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to prohibit the placement of unauthorized signs, signals, or markings over a highway.
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WHEREAS, Metropolitan Code Section 12.12.170 prohibits any unauthorized sign, signal, or marking from being placed, maintained, or displayed upon or in view of any highway which purports to be or is an imitation of, or attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal; and
WHEREAS, Metropolitan Code Section 12.04.120 defines "highway" as the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel; and
WHEREAS, a recent survey by Vanderbilt University found nearly half of all commuters spend between 30 and 90 minutes in traffic each day; and
WHEREAS, signs, signals, or markings in general that are placed, maintained, or displayed over a highway tend to distract drivers and slow traffic; and
WHEREAS, no penalty is expressed in Metropolitan Code 12.12.170 other than removal.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That Section 12.12.170 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws is amended by deleting paragraph A and replacing it with the following:
A. No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of, or attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal, and no person shall place, maintain or display any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device over a highway.
Section 2. That Section 12.12.170 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws is amended to add a new paragr...
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