For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section, except in those instances where otherwise specifically provided or where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Authorized emergency vehicle means a vehicle of the fire department, a police vehicle or any ambulance so designated or authorized by the chief of police.
Block means a portion of any street located between two (2) intersections adjacent to each other.
Business district means the territory contiguous to a highway when seventy-five (75) percent or more of the frontage thereon for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business purposes.
Crosswalk means the 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.
Division means the state division of motor vehicles, acting directly or through its duly authorized officers and agents.
Driver means any person who drives or who is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
Intersection means the area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curblines, or if none, the lateral boundary lines of two (2) or more highways which join one another at an angle, whether or not one (1) such highway crosses the other.
Motor vehicle means every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle designed to run upon the highways which is pulled by a self-propelled vehicle; provided, that the term "motor vehicle" shall not include bicycles with helper motors rated less than one (1) brake horsepower which produce only ordinary pedaling speeds up to a maximum of twenty (20) miles per hour.
Official traffic-control devices means all signs, signals, markings and devices, not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of the board of commissioners or an official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
Official traffic signal means any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
Park means to stand a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.
Pedestrian means any person afoot.
Police officer means any 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 means any road or driveway not open to the use of the public as a matter of right for the purpose of vehicular travel.
Public streets, roads and highways means "public streets, roads, and highways" include the following roadways and rights-of-way: (1) municipal streets maintained by the town (2) streets generally open to public use, and (3) public vehicular areas, the later being defined by G.S. 20-219.4.
Railroad means a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails.
Railroad train means a steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails, except streetcars.
Residential district means the territory contiguous to a highway, not comprising a business district, where seventy-five (75) percent or more of the frontage thereon for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or more is mainly occupied by dwellings or by dwellings and buildings in use for business purposes.
Right-of-way means the privilege of the immediate use of the roadway, not inconsistent with regulations and conditions.
Roadway means that portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
Safety zone means the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
Sidewalk means 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 means any stopping of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.
Stop means, when required, complete cessation of movement.
Stop or stopping means, when prohibited, any stopping of a vehicle except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal.
Street or highway means 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 the purposes of vehicular traffic.
Traffic means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street for the purposes of travel.
Vehicle means any 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 stationary rails or tracks; provided, that for the purposes of this chapter, a bicycle or a ridden animal shall be deemed a vehicle.
(Code 1977, § 16-1; Ord. No. 2021-08, 5-4-21)
Cross reference— Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.
State law reference— State definitions relative to motor vehicles, G.S. 20-38.