§ 36-1. 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 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 where 75 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, or any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

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

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.

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 on rails. This shall not include mopeds as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(27)d1.

Official traffic control devices means all signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of the council, the state highway commission, or the state or city 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 police department or any person authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.

Private road and driveway mean every road or driveway not open to the use of the public as a matter of right for purposes of vehicular travel.

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

Residence district means the territory contiguous to a highway not comprising a business district where 75 percent or more of the frontage on such highway for a distance of 300 feet or more is mainly occupied 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. If a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.

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, 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 directions of a police officer or traffic control sign or signal.

Street and highway mean 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 the 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, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon fixed rails or tracks; provided that, for the purposes of this chapter, bicycles shall be deemed vehicles and every rider of a bicycle upon a highway shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those which by their nature can have no application. This 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, and is suitable for use 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 1985, § 70.01)

State law reference

Similar definitions, G.S. 20-4.01.

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.