Section
General Provisions
70.01 Definitions
70.02 Obedience to police officers
70.03 Expediting of traffic in emergency
70.04 Application of provisions
70.05 Boarding or alighting while vehicle in motion
70.06 Riding in passenger space only
70.07 Entering or riding without consent
70.08 Extending portions of body from vehicle
70.09 Blind corners
70.10 Unenforceability when required signs not in place
Traffic-Control Devices
70.25 Obedience to traffic-control devices; effect of signs or lack of signs
70.26 No turn signs and turning markers
70.27 No parking zone and safety zone markers
70.28 Quiet zone, when horn may be sounded
70.29 Signal legend
70.30 Pedestrians to use crosswalks, and only when vehicles stopped at light
70.31 Railroad crossing signals
70.32 Fire lanes
70.99 Penalty
GENERAL PROVISIONS
For the purpose of this Traffic Code the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE. Vehicles of the Fire and Police Departments, and ambulances designated or authorized by the Chief of Police.
BLOCK. A portion of any street located between two intersections next adjacent to each other.
BUSINESS DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a highway when 50% or more of frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business.
CROSSWALK.
(1) That 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.
INTERSECTION. The area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines or, if none, then the lateral edge of roadway lines of two or more highways which join one another at an angle whether or not one such highway crosses the other. 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. 20-4.01(27)d1.
OFFICIAL TIME STANDARD. Whenever certain hours are named herein they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in this city.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of the governing 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.
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.
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 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 purpose of vehicular travel.
PUBLIC CONVEYANCE. Any vehicle other than a taxicab or railroad train for transporting for fare.
RAILROAD. A carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails.
RAILROAD TRAIN. A steam, oil, electric or other engine or motor, with or without cars coupled thereon, operated upon rails, except streetcars.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a highway not comprising a business district when the frontage on such highway for a distance of 300 feet or more is mainly occupied by dwellings and buildings in use for residential purposes.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of roadway.
ROADWAY. That portion of a street improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of 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 to all such roadways collectively..
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. Sidewalks provide a safe place for pedestrians to walk along streets. The purpose of SIDEWALKS are to separate faster moving traffic such as automobiles and bicycles from pedestrian traffic.
STANDING. Any stopping of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.
STOP. When required, means complete cessation of movement.
STOP or STOPPING. 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 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. The terms HIGHWAY and STREET and their cognates are synonymous.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purpose of travel.
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, 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. 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, or who uses the device for mobility enhancement, is suitable for use both inside and outside a building, including on sidewalks, and is limited by design to 15 miles per hour when the device is being operated by a person with a mobility impairment, or who uses the device for mobility enhancement.
(‘70 Code, § 23-1) (Ord. 1972-18, passed 3-15-72; Am. Ord. 2016-48, passed 9-6-16)
It shall be unlawful for any person to wilfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of a police officer.
('70 Code, § 23-2) (Ord. 1972-18, passed 3-15-72) Penalty, see § 70.99
In the event of a fire or other emergency or when necessary to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, police officers may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter.
('70 Code, § 23-3) (Ord. 1972-18, passed 3-15-72)
(A) Government employees. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the driver of any vehicle owned by or used in the service of the United States government, this state, county or city and it shall be unlawful for any such driver to violate any of the provisions of this chapter, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter or by state statutes.
('70 Code, § 23-4)
(B) Animals, bicycles and push carts. Every person propelling any push cart or riding a bicycle or an animal upon a roadway, and every person driving any animal-drawn vehicle, shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of any vehicle, except those provisions of this chapter which by their very nature can have no application.
('70 Code, § 23-5)
(C) Exemption of emergency vehicles.
(1) The provisions of this chapter and the traffic ordinances of the city regulating the operation of motor vehicles within the city, relative to speed, stopping at stop signs and stop lights, right-of-way and other such regulations, shall not be applicable to vehicles when operated with due regard to safety under the direction of the police in the chase or apprehension of violators of the law, or of persons charged with or suspected of such violation, nor to Fire Department or fire patrol vehicles, including, rescue trucks, when traveling in response to a fire alarm, or other emergency.
(2) This exemption shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard for the safety of others, and shall in no wise relieve the operators of such vehicle from the duty to give the required warning signals by siren, horn, lights and other required signals.
('70 Code, § 23-6)
(Ord. 1972-18, passed 3-15-72) Penalty, see § 70.99
No person shall board or alight from any vehicle while such vehicle is in motion.
('70 Code, § 23-7) (Ord. 1972-18, passed 3-15-72) Penalty, see § 70.99
No person shall ride on any vehicle or any portion thereof not designed or intended for the use of passengers. This provision shall not apply to any employee engaged in the necessary discharge of a duty or to persons riding within truck bodies in spaces intended for merchandise.
('70 Code, § 23-8) (Ord. 1972-18, passed 3-15-72) Penalty, see § 70.99
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