1482ORDINANCE NO.,~Dd.
AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE DRIVER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE FROM
OPERATING THE VEHICLE'S RADIO OR SOUND SYSTEM SO IT IS
AUDIBLE FROM FIFTY (50) OR MORE FEET AWAY WHEN OPERATING ON
THE PUBLIC STREETS OR HIGHWAYS; TO PROVIDE FOR EXCEPTIONS;
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, excessive noise from radios and sound systems of
motor vehicles operated on the streets of West Memphis is a
serious threat to the health and safety of motorists and
pedestrians and interferes with the effectiveness of warning
signals of emergency vehicles; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to regulate the volume of radios
and sound systems of motor vehicles in order to protect the
health and safety of motorists and pedestrians;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARHANSAS:
SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for any driver of a motor
vehicle to operate, or permit the operation of, any radio,
audio tape player, or other sound amplification system of the
vehicle so it can be heard outside the vehicle from fifty (50)
feet or more when the motor vehicle is being operated on the
public streets and highways of the city of West Memphis,
Arkansas.
SECTION 2. Any person violating the provisions of this
ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction
thereof shall be fined not more than twenty-five ($25.00)
dollars for any one specified offense, or double that sum for
each repetition of such offense.
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SECTION 3. The prohibitions of this ordinance shall not
apply to:
(a) situations where the sound system is being used to
request assistance or to warn of a hazardous condition;
(b) emergency vehicles or vehicles operated by gas,
electric, communication, or water utilities; or
(c} vehicles with sound systems used for advertising, or
used in parades, political rallies, or other special events.
SECTION 4. If any provisions of this ordinance or the
application thereof to any person or circumstances is held
invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other portions or
applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without
the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the
provisions of this act are declared to be severable.
SBCTION 5. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in
conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 6. EMERGENCY CLAUSE. It having been found and
determined by the City Council of the City of West Memphis,
Arkansas, that there is an urgent need by the City of West
Memphis to regulate excessive noise from radios and sound
systems of motor vehicles operated on the streets of West
Memphis in order to prevent accidents and to protect other
motorists and pedestrians and that time is of the essence, an
emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Ordinance being
necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health,
safety and welfare of the citizens of West Memphis, Arkansas,
shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of
its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED this ~ day of C~~ , 1991.
KEI H M. NGRAM, Mayor
ATTEST:
DA14' CRAFT, C~~CLE~7,'K ` /