§ 15-1. Definitions.  


Latest version.
  • The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall for the purpose of this chapter have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this article. Whenever any words and phrases used herein are not defined in the state laws regulating the operation of vehicles, any such definition herein shall be deemed to apply to such words and phrases used herein.

    Alley: A public road other than a street or highway being a division within a block running parallel with, and/or connecting with one (1) or more streets.

    Bicycle: Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels, either of which is more than fourteen (14) inches in diameter.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 2(f).

    Business district: The territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any six hundred (600) feet along such highway where there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including, but not limited to, hotels, banks or office buildings, railroad stations, and public buildings which occupy at least three hundred (300) feet of frontage on one (1) side or three hundred (300) feet collectively on both sides of the highway.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 17(a).

    Commercial vehicle: Every vehicle licensed, or lawfully used for the transportation of property.

    Controlled-access highway: 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.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 13(g).

    Crosswalk:

    (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.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 15.

    Curb loading zone: A space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers, materials and/or freight.

    Driver: Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 10(c).

    Intersection:

    (1)

    The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two (2) highways which joint 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.

    (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.

    (3)

    The junction of an alley with a street or highway shall not constitute an intersection.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 14(a)—(c).

    Laned roadway: A roadway which is divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 13(e).

    Motor vehicle: Every vehicle which is self-propelled.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 2(b).

    Motorcycle: Every vehicle having a saddle or seat for the use of the rider and designed to propel itself with not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 2(c).

    Official time standard: Whenever certain hours are named herein they shall mean Central Standard Time.

    Official traffic-control devices: All signs, signals, markings, and devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of the traffic engineer of the city for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 18(a).

    Park: When prohibited 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 merchandise or passengers.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 20E.

    Passenger curb loading zone: A place adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.

    Pedestrian: Any person on foot.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 10(b).

    Police officer: Every officer of the police department or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 11.

    Private road or driveway: 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.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 13(b).

    Public holidays: Whenever the term holiday is used herein, it shall include the following dates: The first day of January, the thirtieth day of May, the fourth day of July, the first Monday in September, the fourth Thursday in November, and the twenty-fifth day of December.

    Railroad: A carrier of persons or property upon cars operated upon stationary rails.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 7(a).

    Railroad train: A steam engine, electric or other motor with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 7(b).

    Residence district: The territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district when the property of such highway for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or more is in the main improved with residence or residences and buildings in use for business.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 17(b).

    Roadway: That portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. In the event a highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not all such roadways collectively.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 13(c).

    Safety zones: 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.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 16.

    Sidewalk: 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.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 13(d).

    Stop: When required means complete cessation of movement.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 20G.

    Stop or stopping: When prohibited means any halting even momentarily 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.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 20H.

    Street or highway: 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.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 13(a).

    Through highway: Every highway or portion thereof on which vehicular traffic is given preferential right-of-way, and at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways or streets is required by law to yield right-of-way to vehicles in such through highway in obedience to either a stop sign, yield sign or other official traffic-control device, when such signs or devices are erected as provided in this chapter.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 13(f).

    Traffic: Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, motor buses, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any street for purposes of travel.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 19.

    Traffic-control signal: Any device, whether manually, electrically, or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 18(b).

    Urban district: The territory contiguous to and including any highway or street which is built up with structures devoted to business, industry or dwelling houses, situated at intervals of less than one hundred (100) feet for a distance of one-quarter of a mile or more.

    Vehicle: 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.

    State Law reference— Similar provisions, V.A.C.S. art. 6701d, § 2(a).

(Ord. No. 7715, §§ 1—5, 7, 8, 9(b), (c), 10—17, 8-4-77)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-3.