For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES. Vehicles of the Fire Department, police vehicles and ambulances designated or authorized by the Chief of Police.
BLOCK. A portion of any street located between two intersections adjacent to each other.
BUSINESS DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a road or street when 75% or more of frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business.
CROSSWALK. That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections or 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 which is in motion or has the engine running.
INTERSECTION. The area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curblines or, if none, the lateral boundary 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. If 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, except a moped, and every vehicle designed to run upon the highways which is pulled by a self-propelled vehicle.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings, medians, curbs, central dividing sections or other separations or dividing lines on roadways, and other devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of the Board of Commissioners or official having jurisdiction 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, 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 Police Department or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
PRIVATE ROAD or DRIVEWAY. A road or driveway not open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel as a matter of right.
PUBLIC CONVEYANCE. Any vehicle, other than a taxicab or railroad train, which transports for fare.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a street not comprising a business district when the frontage on such street for a distance of 300 feet or more is mainly occupied by dwellings and buildings in use for residences.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of the 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, ROADWAY shall refer to any such roadway separately but not 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. 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. When required, complete cessation of movement.
STOP or STOPPING. When prohibited, shall mean any cessation of movement 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 purpose of vehicular traffic.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars 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, a bicycle or a ridden animal shall be deemed a vehicle except those which by their nature can have no application. The terms shall not include a device which is designed for and intended to be used as a means or 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.
(`88 Code, § 11-1) (Ord. 92-13, passed 8-26-92; Am. Ord. 06-25, passed 11-15-06)
Statutory reference:
Similar and additional provisions, see G.S. § 20-4.01