The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE. Vehicles of the Fire Department, police vehicles and such ambulances designated or authorized by the City Council.
BLOCK. A portion of any street located between two intersections next adjacent to each other.
BUSINESS DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a highway where 75% or more of frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business purposes.
CROSSWALK. That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections. 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.
INTERSECTION.
(1) The area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curblines or, if none, the lateral curblines or, if none, then the lateral edge of roadway lines of two or more highways which join one another at any angle whether or not one such highway crosses the other.
(2) Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. In the event that such intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle designed to run upon the highways which is pulled by a self-propelled vehicle. This shall not include mopeds as defined in G.S. § 105-164.3(147).
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of the City Council for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL. Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
PARK. The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than temporarily, for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.
PARKING METER. A mechanical device located upon a public street or sidewalk in a place regularly designated as a parking meter zone which device shall record a certain number of minutes by the use of a clock mechanism which determines the period of time for which parking privileges may be extended to the person so depositing a coin.
PARKING METER ZONE. A certain designated and marked-off section of the public street within the marked boundaries of which the vehicle may be temporarily parked and allowed to remain for such period of time as the parking meter attached thereto may indicate.
PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot.
POLICE OFFICER. Every officer of the Police Department or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violation of traffic regulations.
PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY. Every road or driveway not open to the use of the public as a matter of right for the purposes of vehicular travel.
PUBLIC CONVEYANCE. Any vehicle other than a taxicab or railroad train for transporting for fare.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a highway not comprising a business district where 75% or more of the frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is mainly occupied by dwellings or by dwellings and buildings in use for business purposes.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
ROADWAY. That portion of a highway improved, signed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive the shoulder. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways the term ROADWAY as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to such roadways collectively.
SAFETY ZONE. Traffic island or other space officially set aside within a highway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is so plainly marked or indicated by proper signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart a safety zone.
SIDEWALK. That portion of a street between the curblines 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. Complete cessation of movement when required.
STOP or STOPPING. When prohibited, 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 or right-of-way 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 the purpose of vehicular traffic.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, vehicles and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes of travel.
VEHICLE. Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon fixed rails or tracks; provided that for the purpose of this chapter, bicycles shall be deemed vehicles and every rider of a bicycle on the highway shall be subject to this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle except those which by their nature can have no application. This term shall not include a device which is designed for and intended to be used as a means of transportation for a person with a mobility impairment, is suitable for use both inside and outside a building, and whose maximum speed does not exceed 12 miles per hour when the device is being operated by a person with a mobility impairment.
(1989 Code, § 9-1)
Statutory reference:
Definitions, see G.S. § 20-4.01