§ 22-1. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except in any instance where otherwise specifically provided or where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
Alley means a thoroughfare through the middle of a block.
Authorized emergency vehicle means vehicles of the fire department, police vehicles, and such ambulance and emergency vehicles of municipal departments or public service corporations as are designated or authorized by the chief of police.
Bicycle means every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is over 20 inches in diameter.
Block means a portion of any street located between any two intersections of any two streets or public alleyways next adjacent to each other.
Commercial vehicle means every vehicle designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of property.
Controlled-access highway means every highway, street, or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting property or lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same, except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such highway, street, or roadway.
Crosswalk means that portion of any street or roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections. Any portion of a roadway or street distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface of such street or roadway.
Curb loading zone means a space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.
Driver means every person who shall drive or who shall be in actual physical control of the operation of any vehicle.
Freight curb loading zone means a space adjacent to a curb for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of freight or passengers.
Intersection means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curblines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of the two highways which join one 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. 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. In the event such intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
Laned roadway means a roadway which is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
Motor vehicle means every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle designed to run upon the streets which is pulled by a self-propelled vehicle.
Motorboat means any vessel equipped with propulsion machinery of any type, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion.
Motorcycle means every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.
Official time standard means that whenever certain hours are named in this chapter, they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the town.
Official traffic control device means any sign, signal, marking or device, not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of the board of commissioners or by any designated official having jurisdiction through authority given by the board, for the purpose of regulating, warning, prohibiting or guiding traffic upon the public streets and thoroughfares of the town.
Official traffic signals means any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, whereby traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed, or to turn, or to proceed with caution.
Operator means every person who shall operate a vehicle as the owner, or as agent, employee or with permission of the owner, or the person in actual control of the vehicle.
Park means the standing of any vehicle, whether occupied or unoccupied, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers or cargo.
Passenger curb loading zone means a place adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.
Pedestrian means any person afoot.
Personal watercraft means a personal watercraft as defined in G.S. 75A-13.2.
Police officer means every peace officer of the town, including every employee of the town authorized and empowered to regulate traffic and to make arrests for any violations of the provisions of this chapter.
Private road or driveway means 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.
Public conveyance means any vehicle other than a taxicab or railroad train for transporting persons for a fare.
Right-of-way means the privilege of the immediate use of the street or roadway.
Roadway means that portion of a street or highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any such roadways separately, but not to all such roadways collectively.
Safety zone means the area or space officially set apart within any roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which space shall be so protected and marked or indicated by visible and adequate markers or signs as shall be visible at all times while so set apart as a safety zone for pedestrians.
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 any vehicle, whether or not the vehicle is occupied during such period of stopping.
Stop, when required, means the complete cessation of movement of any vehicle.
Stop or stopping, when prohibited, means any stopping of any vehicle, except when such stopping means that it shall be necessary to stop such vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of any peace officer of the town or by reason of any traffic control sign or signal or by reason of any emergency.
Street and highway means the entire width between property lines of every public 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 purposes of vehicular traffic.
Through highway or street means every street or highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting streets or highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs are erected as provided in this chapter.
Traffic means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles of all kinds, conveyances, tractors, bicycles, motorcycles and the like, either singly or together, while using any street or alleyway for travel, including the operation of, the loading or unloading of, or the parking of any vehicle upon any of the public streets of the town.
Traffic bureau means the traffic division of the police department of this town, or in the event a traffic division is not established, the term whenever used herein shall be deemed to refer to the police department of this town.
Vehicle means every device used in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon any street within the corporate limits, and for the purposes of this chapter, any bicycle shall be deemed a vehicle.
Vessel means every description of watercraft or structure used or capable of being used as a means of transportation or habitation on the water.
(Code 1979, § 7-1001; Code 1990, § 10-1; Ord. No. 96-002, § 1, 4-10-1996; Ord. No. 98-001, § 3, 3-11-1998; Ord. No. 98-003, § 1, 4-15-1998; Ord. No. 01-002, § 1, 5-9-2001)