In the interpretation of this chapter, the following words and
phrases, unless the context shows another sense to be intended, shall
be held to have the meanings contained in this section:
Vehicles of the Fire Department, police vehicles and ambulances
and emergency vehicles of federal, state and municipal departments
or public service corporations when the latter are responding to an
emergency in relation to the Police or Fire Department and Department
of Public Works vehicles plowing snow.
That portion of the roadway ordinarily included within the
prolongation of curb and property lines at street intersections or
that portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing
by lines marked on the surface.
All signs, markings and devices, other than signals, not
inconsistent with this chapter, and which conform to the standards
prescribed by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth and
placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having
jurisdiction, for the purpose of guiding, directing, warning or regulating
traffic.
The stopping or standing of a vehicle, whether attended or
unattended, on a roadway otherwise than temporarily or while in obedience
to traffic regulations, signs or signals.
A mechanical device for measuring time limits for parking
of vehicles, which device consists of a standard upon which a case
is set containing a timing device and signal, indicating clearly the
time to elapse until the period of legal parking expires, during which
period parking is permitted in the parking space which the parking
meter controls. This signal shall also indicate when the time for
legal parking has expired in that space.
The space alongside the curb in which a vehicle may be properly
parked, which shall be indicated clearly by painted lines or otherwise
and adjacent to which a parking meter is installed.
Includes any street, or portion thereof, or municipal off-street
parking area upon which parking meters are installed and in operation
and upon which parking of vehicles is permitted for a limited time
subject to compliance with the further provisions of this chapter.
Any person afoot or riding on a conveyance moved by human
power, except bicycles or tricycles.
Any police officer authorized to make arrests, provided that
he is in uniform and/or has his badge of officer displayed over his
left breast and upon his outer garment.
A motorized wheeled vehicle, including but not limited to
a camper or motor home, equipped with living space and amenities found
in a home and used for camping, traveling, or other recreational or
pleasure activities; but not including a pickup truck which, though
a truck camper has been mounted thereon, is not then being used for
camping, traveling, or other recreational or pleasure activities.
That portion of a street or highway between regularly established
curblines or that part devoted to vehicular traffic.
That portion of a street between curblines and adjacent property
lines.
Any way used for vehicular and pedestrian travel which has
become public by authority of law.
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, cars and
other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street
for the purpose of travel.
Any device using colored lights which conforms to the standards
as prescribed by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth,
whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which
traffic may be alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
Any unpowered vehicle, including but not limited to landscaper
trailers, boat trailers, camping trailers and car carrier trailers,
that are designed to be hitched to and towed by a powered vehicle.
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property
is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, including bicycles
when the provisions of these rules are applicable to them, except
other devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary
rails or tracks and devices which derive their power for operation
from stationary overhead wires.
Any vehicle being used in the transportation of goods, wares
or merchandise for commercial purposes.
Any commercial vehicle of 2 1/2 tons' capacity or over.
No person shall refuse or fail to comply with any lawful order,
signal or direction of a police officer. In case of an emergency offering
an immediate threat to public safety, police officers, in regulating
traffic, may depart temporarily, as far as may be necessary, from
the provisions of this chapter.
It shall be the duty of the Police Department of the City to
enforce the provisions of this chapter. Such officers are hereby authorized
to direct all traffic either in person or by means of a visible or
audible signal in conformance with the provisions of this chapter;
provided, however, that in the event of a fire or other emergency
or to expedite traffic or safeguard pedestrians, officers of the Fire
Department may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding
the provisions of this chapter.
Every person riding a bicycle or an animal on a street or way
shall be subject to the provision of this chapter applicable to the
driver of any vehicle.
The provisions of this chapter regulating the movement, parking and standing of vehicles shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles as defined in § 586-1 while the driver of such vehicle is operating the same in an emergency as in the necessary performance of public duties; this exemption shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicle for the consequence of a reckless disregard for the safety of others.
Whenever any vehicle has stopped at a marked crosswalk or at
any intersection, to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, no
operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall overtake
and pass such stopped vehicle.
The police shall submit annually in the month of September to
the Mayor and City Council, through its public safety committee, the
number of persons killed and injured and other pertinent traffic accident
data, with plans and recommendations for future traffic safety activities.
A.
The police may close temporarily any street or highway in an impending
or existing emergency or for any lawful assemblage, demonstration
or procession; provided, however, that there is reasonable justification
for the closing of such street.
B.
This section shall be effective only during such time as a sufficient
number of official signs are erected and maintained designating the
provisions of such section and located so as to be easily visible
to approaching drivers.
