For the purpose of this traffic code, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES. Vehicles of the Fire Department, Police Department and Emergency Medical Services; and any other vehicles authorized by the city for emergency purposes from time to time.
BUSINESS DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a street or highway where 75% or more of the frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business purposes.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. Every vehicle designed, maintained or used primarily for the transportation of property.
CROSSWALKS.
(1) The part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connection of the lateral lines of the sidewalk on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curb, or in the absence of curbs from the edge of the traversable roadway; and
(2) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere 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. The area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curbline or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of two or more streets which join one another at an angle whether or not one such street crosses the other.
LOADING ZONE. A space adjacent to a curb for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this traffic code, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
OPERATOR. Every individual who shall operate a vehicle as the owner thereof, or as the agent, employee or permittee of the owner, or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
PARK. When prohibited, the standing of a vehicle whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while engaged in loading and unloading.
PASSENGER LOADING ZONE. A place adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.
PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot.
PRIVATE ROAD AND DRIVEWAY. Every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular traffic by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.
PUBLIC LOADING ZONE. A place adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials by the public generally.
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a street, 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 street.
ROADWAY. The portion of a street or highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic, exclusive of the berm or shoulder.
SIDEWALK. The portion of a street between the curbline or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property line intended for the use of pedestrians.
STOP, STOPPING, STANDING.
(1) When required, complete cessation of movement; and
(2) When prohibited, any stopping or standing of a vehicle whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or traffic-control signal or sign.
STREET AND HIGHWAY. 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 purpose of vehicular traffic.
SUBSERVIENT STREET. Every street or highway or portion thereof on which vehicular traffic is required by law to stop or yield the right-of-way before entering or crossing an intersecting street, through street.
THROUGH STREETS. Every street or highway or portion thereof at the entrance to which vehicular traffic from intersecting streets or highways is required by law to stop or yield the right-of-way before entering or crossing the same.
TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS. Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop or to proceed or by which is indicated the manner traffic is to proceed.
VEHICLE. Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a street, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon fixed rails or tracks; provided that, for the purpose of this traffic code, bicycles shall be deemed VEHICLES, and every rider of a bicycle upon a street shall be subject to the provisions of this traffic code applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those which, by their nature, can have no application.
YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY. When used, that such person upon whom the obligation is imposed shall afford the immediate use of the roadway to such other person or vehicle, as is provided, which is approaching so as to arrive at the intersecting point of their lines of travel at approximately the same time.
(2005 Code, § 46-1)
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see G.S. § 20-38