For the purpose of these rules and orders, the words and phrases used herein shall have the following meanings, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
BUS STOP
An area in a roadway set aside for the boarding of or alighting from buses. (The word "bus" shall be construed to mean every vehicle designed for carrying more than nine passengers and used primarily for the transportation of persons.)
CAUTION SIGNAL
A flashing yellow signal having the same general function as a warning sign.
CROSSWALK
That portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the extensions of the sidewalk lines, or, if none, then the footpath lines, and, at any place in a highway, clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or markers upon the roadway surface.
EMERGENCY VEHICLE
Vehicles of the Fire Department (fire patrol), police vehicles and such ambulances and emergency vehicles of federal, state or municipal departments or public-service corporations as are commonly recognized as such.
FUNERAL
Any procession of mourners properly identified as such accompanying the remains of a human body.
INTERSECTION
The area embraced within the extensions of the lateral curblines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines, of intersecting ways, as defined in MGL c. 90, § 1, including divided ways. The rules and regulations herein contained governing and restricting the movement of vehicles at and near intersecting ways shall apply at any place along any way at which drivers are to be controlled by traffic control signals, whether or not such place is an "intersection" as herein defined.
LANE
A longitudinal division of a roadway of sufficient width to accommodate the passage of a single line of vehicles, whether or not such lane is indicated by pavement markings or longitudinal construction joints.
OFFICER
Any police officer or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
ONE-WAY HIGHWAYS
Roadways or streets designated by the rules and orders as one-way and upon which vehicular traffic may move only in the direction indicated by signs.
PARKING
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading or in obedience to an officer or traffic signs or signals or while making emergency repairs, or, if disabled, while arrangements are being made to move such vehicle.
PEDESTRIAN
Any person afoot or riding on a conveyance moved by human power, except bicycles or tricycles.
PERSON
Includes any individual, firm, copartnership, association or corporation.
ROADWAY
That portion of a street or highway between the regularly established curblines or that part, exclusive of shoulders, improved and intended to be used for vehicular traffic.
SIDEWALK
That portion of a street or highway set aside for pedestrian travel.
STOP SIGNAL
A flashing red signal having the same function as a stop sign.
STREET MARKING
Any painted line, legend or marking of any description painted or placed upon any way which purports to direct or regulate traffic and which has been authorized by the Department of Transportation, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[Amended during codification]
STREET OR HIGHWAY
The entire width between property lines of every way open to the use of the public for purposes of travel.
TAXICAB STAND
An area in the roadway in which taxicabs are required to park while waiting to be engaged.
TRAFFIC
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars or other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street or highway for the purpose of travel.
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL
Any device using colored lights which conforms to the standards as prescribed by the Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic may be alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
[Amended during codification]
TRAFFIC SIGNS
All signs, markings and devices, other than signals, not inconsistent with these rules and orders and which conform to the standards prescribed by the Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of guiding, directing, warning or regulating traffic.
[Amended during codification]
U-TURN
The turning of a vehicle by means of a continuous left turn whereby the direction of such vehicle is reversed.
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.