For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Any public way in the city extending either partly through or through any city block in the rear of city lots and in a direction generally from avenue to avenue, and being not more than 20 feet in width and capable of being traversed by a vehicle.
A fire department or police vehicle;
A public or private ambulance operated by a person who has been issued a license by the department of state health services;
A municipal department or public service corporation emergency vehicle that has been designated or authorized by the governing body of a municipality;
A private vehicle of a volunteer firefighter or a certified emergency medical services employee or volunteer when responding to a fire alarm or medical emergency;
An industrial emergency response vehicle, including an industrial ambulance, when responding to an emergency, but only if the vehicle is operated in compliance with criteria in effect September 1, 1989, and established by the state industrial fire training board of the state Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association; or
A vehicle of a blood bank or tissue bank, accredited or approved under the laws of this state or the United States, when making emergency deliveries of blood, drugs, medicines, or organs.
Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is more than 14 inches in diameter.
Any territory contiguous to, and including, a roadway when, within any 600 feet along such roadway, there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes which occupy 300 feet collectively on both sides of the roadway.
That part of a roadway at any intersection included within the connection of lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the street, whether marked or not, measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs from the edges of the traversable roadway. "Crosswalk" also includes any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface of the roadway.
Daytime means from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; nighttime means any other hour.
The practice of starting any motor vehicle from a standing position by applying a sudden burst of power, and recognized by spinning wheels and the noise of tires on the surface of the roadway.
Any person who drives or is in actual physical control of the movement of a vehicle.
Any entrance or exit from the sidewalk or sidewalk area of any street affording a means of ingress or egress for vehicles to or from any private property, or the entrance or exit of any private garage into or from any alley.
Any entrance or exit crossing the sidewalk or sidewalk area of any street, affording a means of ingress or egress for vehicles on or off any public property.
The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadway of two streets which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles; or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different streets joining at any other angle may come in conflict. Where a street includes two roadways, 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided street by an intersecting street shall be regarded as a separate intersection. In the event that such intersecting streets also include two roadways of such streets, each shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
A roadway which is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
Any highway, street or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting property or land and other persons have no legal right of access to or from 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.
That portion of any roadway set apart, marked and numbered for the sole use of the public as a place for loading or unloading passengers, merchandise, or other cargo.
A motor-driven cycle whose speed attainable in one mile is not more than 30 mph and that is equipped with a motor that produces not more than two-brake horsepower. If an internal combustion engine is used, the piston displacement may not exceed 50 cc, and the power drive system may not require the operator to shift gears.
Every motorcycle with a motor which has an engine piston displacement of not more than 125 cc.
Every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
A device consisting of a series of chambers or baffle plates or other mechanical design for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and/or turbine wheels for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from a diesel engine, both of which are effective in reducing noise.
A space on the roadway adjacent to the curb, whether marked by official sign or not, in which no vehicle may be parked.
All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter which are placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
A person, other than a lienholder, having the property in or title to a vehicle. The term includes a person entitled to the use and possession of a vehicle subject to a security interest in another person, but excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security.
Every motor vehicle, except motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, designed for carrying ten passengers or less and used for the transportation of persons.
The standing of a vehicle, occupied or unoccupied, otherwise than a temporary stopping of such vehicle for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading passengers, merchandise or other cargo; except an involuntary stopping of such vehicle because of mechanical failure or by direction of a police officer.
That portion or section of a roadway adjacent to the curbing or edge, set apart, marked and bounded by lines painted or marked upon the surface of the roadway and extending into the roadway for the use of parking vehicles; or that portion of any alley marked by official signs showing such space to be a parking zone.
Any person afoot or walking.
Any member of the police department of the city authorized by law to make arrests for traffic offenses.
The territory contiguous to and including a street not comprising a business district, when the property on such street for a distance of 300 feet or more is, in the main, improved with residences.
The privilege of the immediate use of a roadway.
That portion of a street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. In the event a street includes two or more separate roadways, the term shall refer to any such roadway separately, but not to all such roadways collectively.
The area or space officially set apart within or along a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians, and which is protected, or so marked, or so indicated by adequate and plainly visible signs at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
Every motor vehicle that complies with the color and identification requirements set forth in the most recent edition of standards as produced and sponsored by the National Commission of Safety Education of the National Education Association, Washington, D.C., and is being used to transport children to or from school or in connection with school activities, but not including buses operated by common carriers in urban transportation of school children.
That portion of a street between the curb lines or the lateral lines or roadways and the adjacent property lines, which is intended for the use of pedestrians.
The complete cessation of motion of a motor vehicle or pedestrian.
Any stopping or standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, when prohibited, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or when in compliance with the direction of a police officer or traffic-control sign or signal.
The entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to use by the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other conveyances, either singly or together, while such are using any street for purposes of travel.
Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
A motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
Turning or causing the turning of a vehicle so that, when such turning is completed, such vehicle will be heading in the opposite direction from that in which it was headed before such turning was begun, whether or not such vehicle is pulled into a driveway or any space beyond the curb line of the street.
A device that can be used to transport or draw persons or property on a highway. The term does not include:
(1984 Code, sec. 20-1; 1997 Code, sec. 70.01)