For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE. A vehicle of the Fire Department or Police Department or an ambulance.
BLOCK. A portion of any street located between 2 intersections adjacent to each other.
BUSINESS DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a street when 75% or more of frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business.
CROSSWALK. That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation of the lateral lines of sidewalks at street intersections. Also, any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface, whether or not at a street intersection and, if not at a street intersection, when sign posted so as to face vehicular traffic from both directions of approach, a warning of the term stop for pedestrian in crosswalks.
DRIVER. Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
INTERSECTION. The area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines or, if none, the lateral boundary lines of 2 or more highways which join one another at an angle whether or not 1 highway crosses the other.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled, except those operated on fixed rails.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL. Any official traffic-control device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of the governing body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic or parking.
PARK. The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.
PEDESTRIAN. Any person afoot.
POLICE OFFICER. Every officer of the Police Department or any person authorized to direct or regulate 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 upon cars, other than street cars, operated upon stationary rails.
RAILROAD TRAIN. A steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails, except street cars.
RESIDENCE DISTRICT. The territory contiguous to a street not comprising a business district, where 75% or more of the frontage on the street for a distance of 300 feet or more is mainly occupied by dwellings or by dwellings and buildings in use for business.
RIGHT OF WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
ROADWAY. The portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
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.
SIDEWALK. That portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
STANDING. Any stopping of a vehicle, whether occupied or not.
STOP. When required, means complete cessation of movement.
STOP or STOPPING. When prohibited, means 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, street cars and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes of travel.
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.
(Prior Code, § 11-2)
Statutory reference:
Authority of town to regulate traffic, see G.S. §§ 20-169, 160A-300
Motor vehicles and traffic, see G.S. Chapter 20
State law definitions, see G.S. Chapter 20