§ 17-1. 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 vehicle shall mean any vehicle of the fire department, police vehicles, and such ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal departments or public service corporations as are designated by the city commission.

Bicycle shall mean every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels, either of which is over twenty (20) inches in diameter, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle, though equipped with two (2) front or two (2) rear wheels.

Crosswalk shall mean:

(1)

That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway.

(2)

Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

Driver shall mean every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

Intersection shall mean:

(1)

The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curblines, or if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two (2) highways which join one (1) another at or approximately at right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.

(2)

Where a highway includes two (2) roadways thirty (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. In the event such intersecting highway also includes two (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.

Loading zone shall mean a space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles doing the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.

Motorcycle shall mean every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.

Motor vehicle shall mean every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.

Official time standard, whenever certain hours are named in this chapter, shall mean standard time or daylight saving time, as may be in current use in this city.

Official traffic-control devices shall mean all signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.

Park, when prohibited, shall mean the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.

Passenger loading zone shall mean a space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles doing the loading or unloading of passengers.

Pedestrian shall mean any person afoot.

Police officer shall mean every officer of the city police department or any other officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.

Private road or driveway shall mean every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.

Railroad shall mean a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails.

Railroad train shall mean a steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails, except streetcars.

Right-of-way shall mean the privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.

Roadway shall mean that portion of a street or highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. In the event a highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" shall refer to any such roadway separately, but not to all such roadways collectively.

Safety zone shall mean 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 shall mean 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.

Stop , when required, shall mean complete cessation of movement.

Stop, stopping or standing, when prohibited, shall mean any stopping or standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal.

Street or highway shall mean the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

Through street shall mean every street or highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting streets or highways is required to stop or yield the right-of-way to traffic thereon before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs or signs requiring such vehicular traffic to yield such right-of-way are erected as provided in this chapter.

Traffic shall mean pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street for the purpose of travel.

Traffic-control signal shall mean any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.

Traffic-control sign or device shall mean all signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of the city commission for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.

Vehicle shall mean 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.

Other words and phrases. Whenever any words and phrases used in this chapter are not defined in this section but are defined in the state laws regulating the operation of vehicles, any such definition therein shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used in this chapter.

(Code 1966, § 17-1)

State law reference

Similar state law definitions, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 6701d, §§ 1 to 20L.

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.