For the purpose of this traffic code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED VEHICLE. A vehicle parked or otherwise located on a public-right-of way or parking lot in such state of disrepair that it is incapable of being driven, and appears to have been abandoned; or a vehicle that has been unmoved for a period of at least 24 hours and has no license plates or valid registration, and appears to have been abandoned by its owner; or vehicles parked on private property without consent of the lot owner, proprietor or agent of the property, which person has requested that the vehicle be towed.
ALLEY. A narrow street between two property lines, one or both of which property lines are ordinarily at the rear of properties fronting on streets having a greater width.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE. Vehicles of the Fire Department (fire patrol), police vehicles and such ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal departments as are designated or authorized by the City Council, and emergency vehicles of other governmental units.
BICYCLE. A light, two-wheel device, having wheels 20 inches or greater in diameter with tires, propelled by human power.
BUSINESS DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to and including a highway when 50% or more of the frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business.
CROSSWALK.
(1) The portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections.
(2) Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
DRIVER. Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
HAZARDOUS VEHICLE. A vehicle that has been involved in an accident and is disabled or cannot be immediately moved by the owner or operator of the vehicle; or a vehicle that presents an immediate danger to the health or welfare of the members of the public; or a vehicle abandoned or disable on a public street or public way, that is impeding the orderly flow of traffic or poses a potential danger to pedestrians and other operators of vehicles; or a vehicle impeding municipal snow removal from a public street, alley, way or parking lot.
INTERSECTION. The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways which join one another at or approximately at right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
LOADING ZONE. The space in the roadway adjacent to the curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings and devices placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNALS. Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNS. Any device, marker, signal or sign warning or regulating traffic, indicating crosswalks, safety zones, traffic lanes, regulating or restricting turns, indicating methods of turns, zones of quiet, play streets, loading zones, carrier stands, parking limitations, stop signs, speed regulatory signs, placed or erected by authority of the City Council, or by an official of the city, who has jurisdiction, is hereby declared to be an official traffic sign.
PARK. The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.
PARKWAY. The part of a street or highway, on each side of the pavement or roadway thereof, lying between the outer edge of the pavement or roadway and the property lines bounding the street.
PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot.
POLICE OFFICER. Every officer of the City Police Department or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
PRIVATE ROAD or DRIVEWAY. Every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.
RAILROAD. A carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than street cars, operated upon stationary rails.
RAILROAD TRAINS. A steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails, except street cars.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district when the property on such highway for a distance of 300 feet or more is in the main improved with residence or residences and buildings not in use for business.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
ROADWAY. That portion of a street, improved, designed or ordinarily set for vehicular travel.
SAFETY ZONE. The area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a SAFETY ZONE.
SIDEWALK. The portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
STANDING. Any stopping of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.
STOP or STOPPING. When required, means complete cessation of movement. When prohibited, means any stopping of a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal.
STREET or HIGHWAY. The entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes of
vehicular traffic.
THROUGH STREET. Any specially designated street at which all traffic, except authorized emergency vehicles, is required to stop before entering or crossing.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, street cars and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes of travel.
UNLAWFUL VEHICLE. A vehicle that has been reported stolen or is the subject of a search and seizure by the Police Department; or a vehicle parked in violation of state statutes, local ordinances or other applicable laws which prohibit parking at the location in question or for the period of time for which the vehicle has been parked, and where either the statute or ordinance authorize the vehicle to be towed, and the signs posted at the general location not that fact.
VEHICLE. Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices which are moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(Prior Code, § 70.003) (Ord. 2016-001, passed 1-12-2016)