For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE. 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 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 which are in use for business purposes.
CROSSWALK. The portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections; 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 curblines or if none, then the lateral boundary lines of two or more highways which join one another at an angle, whether or not one highway crosses the other.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled.
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.
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 town.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE. All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of the Mayor and Council, or an official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL. Any device, whether manually or automatically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
PARK. The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than temporarily for the purpose of loading or unloading.
PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot.
POLICE OFFICER. Every officer of the Town Police Department or any officer authorized to direct 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 for purposes 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, other than streetcars, with cars operated on stationary rails.
RAILROAD TRAIN. A steam engine, electric or other locomotive, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a highway not comprising a business district, when the frontage on the highway, for a distance of 300 feet or more, is mainly occupied by residential dwellings but also by dwellings or buildings which are in use for business purposes.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
ROADWAY. The portion of a street which has been improved and designed for, or which is ordinarily used for, vehicular travel.
SAFETY ZONE. The area officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians, which area is either protected or plainly marked at all times while so set apart as a safety zone.
SIDEWALK. The portion of a street between the curblines or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines exclusively 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, 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 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 and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street for purposes of travel.
TRAFFIC SIGNS. Authorized signs or markers which are assumed to be permanently or temporarily placed, erected or installed at certain places and which purport to give notice of direction or to convey a prohibition or warning; the presence of the signs, though not compulsory, is generally dictated by necessity or common sense, with a view to furtherance of public safety.
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 stationary rails or tracks; provided, that for the purpose of this chapter, a bicycle or a ridden animal shall be deemed a VEHICLE.
(1995 Code, § 40-2)
Statutory reference:
Similar definitions, see G.S. § 20-4.01