§ 94-1. 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:

Alley means a public way in the city extending either partly or through any city block in the rear of city lots and in a direction generally from avenue to avenue, not more than 20 feet in width and capable of being traversed by a vehicle.

Authorized emergency vehicle means vehicles of the fire department (fire patrol), police vehicles, public and private ambulances for which permits have been issued by the state board of health, emergency vehicles of city departments or public service corporations as are designated or authorized by the city council and private vehicles operated by volunteer firefighters while answering a fire alarm.

Bus means a commercial vehicle carrying passengers for hire and operating over and along a fixed route.

Crosswalk means that part of a roadway at any intersection included within the connection of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the street, whether marked or not, measured from the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway. The term "crosswalk" also includes any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrians crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

Digging out means the practice of starting any motor vehicle from a standing position by applying a sudden burst of power, recognized by spinning rear wheels and noise of tires on the surface of the roadway.

Driver means that person who drives or is in actual physical control of the movements of a vehicle.

Driveway, private. Any entrance or exit over the sidewalk or sidewalk area of any street affording a means of ingress or egress for vehicles to or from any private property, or the entrance or exit of any private garage into or from any alley.

Driveway, public. Any entrance or exit over the sidewalk or sidewalk area of any street affording a means of ingress or egress for vehicles to or from any public property.

Intersection means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curblines or, if none, the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two streets which join one another at or approximately at right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different streets joining at any other angle may come in conflict. Where a street includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, every crossing of each roadway of such divided street by an intersecting street shall be regarded as a separate intersection. If such intersecting street also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, every crossing of two roadways of such streets shall be regarded as a separate intersection.

Loading zone means that portion of any roadway set apart, marked and numbered for the sole use of the public as a place for loading or unloading passengers, merchandise or other cargo.

Motor vehicle means 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 traffic control devices means 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.

Operator means every individual who shall operate a vehicle as the owner thereof or as the agent, employee or permittee of the owner.

Park or parking means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than a temporary stopping of such vehicle for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers, merchandise or other cargo, except an involuntary stopping of such vehicle because of mechanical failure or direction of a police officer.

Parking stall or parking space means that portion or section of a roadway adjacent to the curbing or edge set apart, marked and bounded by lines painted or marked upon the surface of the roadway and extending into the roadway for the use of parking vehicles or that portion of any alley marked by official signs showing such space to be a parking zone.

Pedestrian means any person afoot.

Police officer means any member of the police department authorized by law to make arrests in traffic offenses.

Residence district. The territory contiguous to and including a street not comprising a business district, when the property on such street for a distance of 300 feet or more is, in the main, improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.

Roadway means that portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. If a street includes two or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.

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.

Stop, when required, means complete cessation of movement.

Stop, stopping or standing, when prohibited, means 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 means 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.

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

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

Truck means a motor vehicle designed primarily for the transportation of cargo.

Vehicle means any device in, upon or by which any person or property may be or is transported upon any street within the corporate limits of the city, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

(Code 1968, § 29-1)

State law reference

Similar provisions, Vernon's Ann. Civ. St. art. 6701d, §§ 1—20.

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.