For the purpose of this chapter, 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 and emergency vehicles of municipal departments or public service corporations.
CROSSWALK. That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections, and also any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for a pedestrian’s crossing, by lines or other markings on the surface.
DRIVER. Every person who drives or is in actual physical contact and control of a vehicle.
INTERSECTION. 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 streets or highways which join one another.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Every vehicle which is self-propelled.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings, and devices placed or erected by authority of a public body or officials having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic. The Common Council of the city by ordinance, and the City Board of Public Works and Safety, by resolution, are hereby designated as the public bodies authorized to direct placement and erection of official traffic control devices and official traffic signals consistent with this chapter. The existence of any traffic-control device shall be presumptively considered an official traffic-control device.
OFFICIAL TRAFFIC SIGNALS. Any device, whether manually, electrically, or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and proceed.
OFF-ROAD VEHICLE. A motor-driven vehicle capable of cross country travel, without benefit of a road or trail, on or immediately over land, water, snow, ice, marsh, swampland, or other natural terrain. It includes, but is not limited to a snowmobile, a multi-wheel drive or low pressure tire vehicle, amphibious machine, ground effect air cushion vehicle, or other means of transportation deriving motive power from a source other than muscle or wind. It does not include a farm vehicle being used for farming, a vehicle used for military or law enforcement purposes, construction, mining, or other industrial-related vehicles used in performance of its common function, or a registered aircraft.
OPERATE. To ride in or on and to be in actual physical control of the operation of a vehicle.
OPERATOR. Any person who operates or is in actual physical control a vehicle.
OWNER. Any person having the property in or title (except solely as lien security) to a vehicle entitled to the use or possession thereof.
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. A person afoot.
POLICE OFFICER. Every office authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violation of traffic regulations.
PRIVATE ROAD or DRIVEWAY. Every way or place in private ownership and used or vehicular traffic by the owner and those having express or impaled permission from the owner, but not by other persons.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
ROADWAY. That portion of a street improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic.
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.
SNOWMOBILE. Any motor driven vehicle designed for travel primarily on snow or ice of a type which utilizes sled type runners or skis, or an endless belt tread or any combination of these or other similar means of contact with the surface upon which it is operated.
STANDING. Any stopping of a vehicle whether occupied or not.
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 purposes of vehicular traffic, including roads, avenues, alleys, parks, and parkways within the city.
STOP. Complete cessation of movement, any stopping of a vehicle except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the direction of a police officer, traffic officer, or traffic control sign or signal.
VEHICLE. Every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or
drawn upon a highway, except devices used exclusively upon stationary rails. Also, the term
VEHICLE refers to snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.
TRAFFIC. Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street for purposes of travel.
TRAFFIC CODE. This title.
(Ord. G-83-1009, passed 12-5-83)