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 Department, police vehicles, and ambulances designated or authorized by the Chief of Police.
BLOCK. The length of that portion of any street which is located between two street intersections.
BUSINESS DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a street or highway when 75% or more of frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business purposes.
CROSSWALK. The portion of a roadway lying between the prolongation of the lateral sidewalk or boundary lines over an intersection as well as any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
DRIVER. The operator of a vehicle. The terms DRIVER and OPERATOR and their cognates are synonymous.
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 any 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 VEHICLES. 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 TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICE. Any sign, signal, marking, or device not inconsistent with this traffic code placed or erected by authority of the City Council or of 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. Cause the vehicle to stand, whether occupied or not, other than temporarily for the purpose of loading or unloading.
PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot.
POLICE OFFICER. Any officer of the City Police Department or any other officer authorized to direct traffic or to make arrests for violation of traffic regulations.
PRIVATE ROAD or DRIVEWAY. Any road or driveway not open to the use of the public as a matter of right for purposes of vehicular travel.
PUBLIC CONVEYANCE. Any vehicle engaged in the business of transporting persons for fare.
RAILROAD. Any carrier of persons or property, other than streetcars, with cars operated on stationary rails.
RAILROAD TRAIN. A steam engine or an electric or other locomotive with or without cars coupled thereto that is operated upon rails, not including streetcars.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a street or highway not comprising a business district where 75% or more of the frontage on such street or highway for a distance of 300 feet or more is mainly occupied by residential dwellings.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway not inconsistent with regulations and conditions.
ROADWAY.
(1) The portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder.
(2) 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 not to all such roadways collectively.
SAFETY ZONE. Traffic island or other space officially set aside within a highway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is so plainly marked or indicated by proper signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
SIDEWALK. The portion of a street between the curb lines or lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines and that is exclusively intended for the use of pedestrians.
STANDING. Any stopping of an occupied or unoccupied vehicle.
STOP. When required, a complete cessation of movement.
STOP or STOPPING. When prohibited, any stopping of a vehicle, except when conflict with other traffic is imminent, or when otherwise directed by a police officer.
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 purposes of vehicular traffic. The terms HIGHWAY and STREET and their cognates are synonymous.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars, and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street for purposes of travel.
TRAFFIC SIGNS. Any authorized sign or marker placed, erected, or installed at certain places and purporting to give notice of direction or to convey a prohibition or warning. The presence of such 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, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon fixed rails or tracks; provided, for the purposes of this traffic code, bicycles shall be deemed VEHICLES and every rider of a bicycle upon a highway shall be subject to the provisions of this traffic code 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, is suitable for use both inside and outside a building, and whose maximum speed does not exceed 12 mph when the device is being operated by a person with a mobility impairment.
(Prior Code, § 70.01)
Statutory reference:
Definitions relating to motor vehicles and traffic, see G.S. § 20-4.01
Related provisions, see G.S. § 20-4.01(27)d1