§ 34-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Authorized emergency vehicles means vehicles of the fire department, police vehicles and such ambulances designated or authorized by the chief of police.

Block means a portion of any street located between two intersections next adjacent to each other.

Business district means the territory contiguous to a highway when 50 percent or more of frontage thereon for a distance of 300 feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business.

Crosswalk means that portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections and any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

Driver means every person who is in actual physical control of a vehicle which is in motion or which has the engine running.

Intersection means the area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curblines or if none, then the lateral boundary lines of two or more highways which join one another at an angle whether or not one such highway crosses the other. Where a highway includes two roadways 30 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.

Motor vehicle means every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is designed to run upon the highways which is pulled by a self-propelled vehicle. This does not include mopeds as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(27)d1.

Official time standard means standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the city.

Official traffic control devices means 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.

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 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 means any person afoot.

Police officer means every officer of the municipal 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 every road or driveway not open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

Public conveyance means any vehicle other than a taxicab or railroad train for transporting for fare.

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.

Residence district means the territory contiguous to a highway not comprising a business district when the frontage on such highway 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 means the privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.

Roadway means that portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder.

Safety zone means 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 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, 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 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 purpose of vehicular traffic.

Traffic means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes of travel.

Vehicle means 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; provided, that for the purpose of this chapter, a bicycle or a ridden animal shall be deemed a vehicle. The term shall not include a device which is designed for and intended to be used as a means of transportation for a person with a mobility impairment, is suitable for both inside and outside a building, and whose maximum speed does not exceed 12 miles per hour when the device is being operated by a person with a mobility impairment.

(Code 1952, ch. F, art. I, § 1)

State law reference

Similar definitions, G.S. 20-4.01.

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.