For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context indicates or clearly requires a different meaning.
“ALLEY.” A narrow roadway between city blocks.
“BICYCLE.” Every device propelled by human power on which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels either of which is over twenty (20) inches in diameter, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two (2) front or two (2) rear wheels.
“CROSSWALK.”
(A) That part of a roadway at an intersection 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.
(B) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
(KRS 189.010(2))
“CURB LOADING ZONE.” A space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading and unloading of passengers or materials.
“DRIVER” or “OPERATOR.” The person in actual physical control of a vehicle.
(KRS 189.010(7))
“EMERGENCY VEHICLE.” Any vehicle used for emergency purposes by:
(1) The Department of Kentucky State Police;
(2) A public police department;
(3) The Department of Corrections;
(4) A sheriff's office;
(5) A rescue squad;
(6) An emergency management agency if it is a publicly owned vehicle;
(7) An ambulance service, mobile integrated healthcare program, or medical first response provider licensed by the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, for any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or to transport a patient with a critical medical condition;
(8) Any vehicle commandeered by a police officer;
(9) Any vehicle with the emergency lights required under KRS 189.920 used by a paid or volunteer fireman or paid or volunteer ambulance personnel, or a paid or local emergency management director while responding to an emergency or to a location where an emergency vehicle is on emergency call;
(10) An elected coroner granted permission to equip a publicly or privately owned motor vehicle with lights and siren pursuant to KRS 189.920;
(11) A deputy coroner granted permission to equip a publicly or privately owned motor vehicle with lights and siren pursuant to KRS 189.920; or
(12) A conservation officer of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
(KRS 189.910(1))
“FUNERAL PROCESSION.” Two (2) or more vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person when each vehicle has its headlights on or is displaying a pennant attached in such a manner as to be clearly visible to approaching traffic.
(KRS 189.378(1))
“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 purposes of vehicular travel.
“INTERSECTION.”
(A) 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 (2) highways which join one (1) another, but do not necessarily continue, at approximately right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling on different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict; or
(B) Where a highway includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of the divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. In the event the intersecting highway also includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways of the highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection. The junction of a private alley with a public street or highway shall not constitute an “INTERSECTION”.
(KRS 189.010(4))
“MOTORCYCLE.” Any motor driven vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the operator and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding tractors and vehicles on which the operator and passengers ride in an enclosed cab and excluding mopeds as defined in KRS 189.285.
(KRS 189.285)
“OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICE.” 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 dividing traffic.
(KRS 189.337)
“PARK.” When prohibited, means 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 or in a wheelchair.
(KRS 189.010(8))
“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 ROADWAY.” 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.
“PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLE.” Public utility repair vehicle; wreckers; state, county, or municipal service vehicles and equipment; highway equipment which performs work that requires stopping and standing or moving at slow speeds within the traveled portions of highways; and vehicles which are escorting wide-load or slow-moving trailers or trucks.
(KRS 189.910(2))
“RAILROAD.” A carrier of persons or property on cars, other than street cars, operated on stationary rails.
“RAILROAD TRAIN.” A steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated on rails, except street cars.
“RESIDENCE DISTRICT.” The territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district when the property on the highway for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or more is improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.
(KRS 189.390(1)(b))
“RIGHT-OF-WAY.” The right of one (1) vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed, and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one (1) grants precedence to the other.
(KRS 189.010(9))
“ROADWAY.” That portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. In the event a highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways, the term “ROADWAY” as used herein shall refer to any roadway separately but not to all roadways collectively.
(KRS 189.010(10))
“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.
(KRS 189.010(11))
“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 direction of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal.
“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 and when stop signs are erected as provided in this act.
“TRAFFIC.” Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, street cars, and other conveyance 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.
“VEHICLE.”
(1) Includes:
(a) All agencies for the transportation of persons or property over or upon the public highways of the Commonwealth; and
(b) All vehicles passing over or upon the highways.
(2) "MOTOR VEHICLE" includes all vehicles, as defined in subsection (1) above, except:
(a) Road rollers;
(b) Road graders;
(c) Farm tractors;
(d) Vehicles on which power shovels are mounted;
(e) Construction equipment customarily used only on the site of construction and which is not practical for the transportation of persons or property upon the highways;
(f) Vehicles that travel exclusively upon rails;
(g) Vehicles propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires while being operated within any municipality or where the vehicles do not travel more than five (5) miles beyond the city limits of any municipality;
(h) Vehicles propelled by muscular power; and
(i) Electric low-speed scooters.
(KRS 189.010(19))