For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALLEY. A thoroughfare through the middle of a block.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE
.
A vehicle of the Fire Department, a police vehicle, an ambulance or an emergency vehicle of a municipal department or public service corporation as designated or authorized by the Chief of Police.
BICYCLE
.
Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having 2 tandem wheels either of which is over 20 inches in diameter.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
.
Every vehicle designed, maintained or used primarily for the transportation of property.
CONTROLLED-ACCESS HIGHWAY. Every highway, street or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting property or lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same, except at points only and in a manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over the highway, street or roadway.
CROSSWALK. That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs from the edges of the traversable roadway. Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
CURB LOADING ZONE
.
A space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.
DRIVER
.
The operator of a vehicle.
FREIGHT CURB LOADING ZONE
.
A space adjacent to a curb for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of freight or passengers.
INTERSECTION. The area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines or, if none, then the lateral edge of roadway lines of 2 or more highways which join one another at any angle whether or not 1 highway crosses the other. Where a highway includes 2 roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of a divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. If the intersecting highway also includes 2 roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of 2 roadways of the highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
LANED ROADWAY
.
A roadway which is divided into 2 or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
MOPED. A vehicle having 2 or 3 wheels and operable pedals and equipped with a motor which does not exceed 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement and cannot propel the vehicle at a speed greater than 20 mph on a level surface.
MOTORCYCLE. Every vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than 3 wheels in contact with the ground, including motor scooters and motor-driven bicycles but excluding tractors and utility vehicles equipped with an additional form of device designed to transport property, 3-wheeled vehicles while being used by law enforcement agencies and mopeds.
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. The term MOTOR VEHICLE does not include “moped.”
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
PARK. When prohibited, means the standing of a vehicle whether occupied or not, other than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.
PASSENGER CURB LOADING ZONE. A place adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.
PEDESTRIANS. 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 violations 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 purpose of vehicular traffic. The terms HIGHWAY or STREET or a combination of the 2 terms shall be used synonymously.
RAILROAD. A carrier of persons or property upon cars operated upon stationary rails.
RAILROAD TRAIN. A steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
ROADWAY. That portion of a highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder. If a highway includes 2 or more separate roadways the term ROADWAYS shall refer to any roadway separately but not to all roadways collectively.
SAFETY ZONE. A traffic island or other space officially set aside within a roadway 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 as a SAFETY ZONE.
SIDEWALK. That 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.
STOP. When required, means complete cessation of movement.
STOP, STOPPING or STANDING. When prohibited, means 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 directions 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 purposes of vehicular traffic. The terms HIGHWAY and STREET and a combination of the 2 terms shall be used synonymously.
THROUGH HIGHWAY. Every street or highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting streets or highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing the same when stop signs are erected as provided in this chapter.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes of travel.
TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNAL. Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
TRAFFIC DIVISION. The Traffic Division of the Police Department of the town, or if a traffic division is not established, then the term shall be deemed to refer to the Police Department of the town.
VEHICLE. Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting 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 upon a highway shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle except those which by their nature can have no application.
(1988 Code, § 14-1)
Statutory references:
General authority to regulate traffic, see G.S. §§ 20-169, 160A-300 et seq.
Motor vehicles and traffic generally, see G.S. Ch. 20
Similar provisions, see G.S. § 20-4.01