For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES. Vehicles of the Fire Department, police vehicles and ambulances designated or authorized by the Chief of Police.
BLOCK. The length of a portion of any street which is located between two adjacent street intersections.
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 which lies between the prolongation of the lateral sidewalk or boundary lines over an intersection. 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.
HIGHWAY. See STREET.
INTERSECTION. The area embraced within the prolongations of the lateral curb or boundary lines of two or more roadways or highways which join or which join and cross one another at an angle.
MOTOR VEHICLE. 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 bicycles with helper motors rated less than one brake horsepower which produce only ordinary pedaling speeds up to a maximum of 20 mph.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings and devices, not inconsistent with this title, 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 SIGNALS. Any device, whether manually or automatically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
PARK or PARKING. The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, upon a street otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, receiving or discharging passengers; loading or unloading merchandise; in obedience to traffic regulations, signs or signals; or an involuntary stopping of the vehicle by reason of causes beyond the control of the operator of the vehicle.
PARKING LOT. Any area within the town on which more than five automobiles may be parked, and shall include public parking lots and those parking lots which are for the principal purpose of providing parking during business hours for shopping centers, stores, restaurants, drive-ins, theaters and other business or commercial establishments.
PARKING ZONE. Any restricted street upon which time zones for parking are posted.
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 which is engaged in the business of transporting persons 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 locomotor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails, but not including streetcars.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a highway, not comprising a business district, when the frontage on a 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, not inconsistent with regulations and conditions.
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 curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, exclusively intended for the use of pedestrians.
SIGNS. See TRAFFIC SIGNS.
STANDING. Any stopping of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.
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 area between lateral property lines, which is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes of vehicular traffic,
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. Authorized signs or markers which are assumed to be permanently or temporarily placed or erected or installed at certain places and which purport to give notice of direction or to convey a prohibition or warning. The presence of these signs, though not compulsory, is generally dictated by necessity or common sense, with a view to furtherance of public safety.
VEHICLE. Every device in or upon which any person or property may be transported, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon fixed rails or tracks, but including a bicycle or ridden animal.
(1977 Code, § 17-1)
Statutory reference:
Definitions relative to motor vehicles, see G.S. § 20-4.01