For the purpose of this title, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALLEY. A public way within a block generally giving access to the rear of lots or buildings, and not used for general traffic circulation.
BICYCLE. Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is more than 20 inches in diameter.
BUSINESS DISTRICT. The territory within the city contiguous to and including a street or highway when within any 600 feet along such highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes.
CROSSWALK. The portion of the roadway included within the prolongation of the sidewalk lines at street intersections.
DRIVER. Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
EMERGENCY VEHICLE. Police vehicles, vehicles of the Fire Department, ambulances, vehicles carrying a state, county or municipal officer or employee in response to an emergency call and emergency vehicles of public service corporations on an emergency call.
EXPLOSIVE. Any chemical compound or mechanical mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion and which contains any oxidizing and combustive units or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities or packing that an ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion, by percussion or by detonator of any part of the compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gases that the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructible effects on contiguous objects or of destroying life or limb.
FARM TRACTOR. Every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, mowing machines and other implements of husbandry.
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS. Any liquid which has a flash point of 70°F or less, as determined by tagliabue or equivalent closed cup test device.
IMPROVED HIGHWAY. A roadway of concrete, brick, asphalt, macadam or gravel.
INTERSECTION. The area embraced within the prolongation of the property lines of two or more streets which join at an angle whether or not such streets cross.
LANED ROADWAY. A street, the roadway of which is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
LOADING ZONE. The space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading and unloading of passengers or materials.
MERGING TRAFFIC. A maneuver executed by the drivers of vehicles on converging roadways to permit simultaneous or alternate entry into the junction thereof, wherein the driver of each vehicle involved is required to adjust his or her vehicular speed and lateral position so as to avoid a collision with any other vehicle.
METAL TIRE. Every tire the surface of which in contact with the roadway is wholly or partially of metal or other hard, nonresilient material.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires, but not operated upon rails.
MOTORCYCLE. Every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.
PARK. To stand a vehicle, whether occupied or not, for a period of time greater than is reasonably necessary for the actual loading or unloading of persons.
PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot.
PNEUMATIC TIRE. Every tire in which compressed air is designed to support the load.
PROPERTY LINE. The line marking the boundary between any street and the lots or property abutting thereon.
PUBLIC BUILDING. A building used by the municipality, the county, any park district, school district, the state or the United States government.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district when the property on such highway for a distance of 300 feet or more is in the main improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
ROAD TRACTOR. Every motor vehicle designed and used for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry any load thereon either independently or any part of the weight of a vehicle or load so drawn.
SAFETY ZONE. The portion of a roadway reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians, suitably marked or elevated.
SCHOOL BUS. Every motor vehicle of the second division operated by or for a public or governmental agency or by or for a private or religious organization solely for the transportation of pupils in connection with school activities.
SEMITRAILER. Every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.
SIDEWALK. The portion of a street between the curb line or roadway and the adjacent property line designated for pedestrian use.
SOLID TIRE. Every tire of rubber or other resilient material which does not depend upon compressed air for the support of the load.
STREET or HIGHWAY. The entire width between property lines of each side 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 and each way set aside for public travel by vehicles.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for the purpose of travel.
TRAILER. Every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying passengers or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
TRUCK TRACTOR. Every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.
URBAN DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to and including any street which is built up with structures devoted to business, industry or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than 100 feet for a distance of a quarter mile or more.
VEHICLE. Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway except devices moving by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY. When required by an official sign, means the act of granting the privilege of the immediate use of the intersecting roadway to traffic within the intersection and to vehicles approaching from the right or left, provided that when the roadway is clear the vehicle may proceed into the intersection.
(1974 Code, § 8-1-1) (Ord. 442, passed 3-11-1959)