For the purpose of this traffic code, 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.
BICYCLES. 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 of any city, village, or incorporated town contiguous to and including a highway when, within any 600 feet along such highway, there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including, but not limited to, hotels, banks, or office buildings, railroad stations, and public buildings which occupy at least 300 feet of frontage on one side or 300 feet collectively on both sides of the highway.
CONTROLLED ACCESS HIGHWAY. Every street or highway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same, except at such points only as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such street or highway.
CROSSWALK. The portion of the roadway included within the prolongation of the sidewalk lines at street intersections.
DRIVERS. 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 a 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.
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.
(1) The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different roadways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
(2) Where a highway includes two roadways 40 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.
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 or 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 collision with any other vehicle.
METAL TIRES. Every tire the surface of which is in contact with the roadway is wholly or partially of metal or other hard, nonresilient material.
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.
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.
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 fire district, school district, the state, or the United States government.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory of any city, village, or incorporated town 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.
REVERSIBLE LANE. A lane of a two or more laned roadway upon which traffic may be directed to move in either direction by means of lane-control signals or other devices in conjunction with official signs.
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 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.
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.
SEMI-TRAILER. 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.
SIDEWALKS. 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 winch does not depend upon compressed air for the support of the load.
SPEED-CHANGE LANE. An auxiliary lane, including tapered areas, primarily for the acceleration or deceleration of vehicles entering or leaving the through traffic lanes.
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 the purpose of vehicular traffic.
SUBURBAN DISTRICT. The portion of any city, village, or incorporated town other than the business and residence district.
THROUGH HIGHWAY. Every highway or portion thereof at the entrance to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs are erected as provided in this chapter.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other conveyances whether 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 moved 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.
(Ord. 256, passed 11-2-1964)