§ 17-1. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them by this section, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates that a different meaning was intended:

Bus stop means any area in the roadway set aside for the boarding of or alighting from and the parking of buses.

Crosswalk means that portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of curblines and property lines at intersections, or that portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines on the roadway surface or by other markings or signs.

Driver means and includes any person having the guidance or control over any vehicle or horse or other mode of conveyance.

Emergency vehicles means vehicles of the fire department or fire patrol, police vehicles, 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 departments.

Funeral means any procession of mourners properly identified as such accompanying the remains of a human body.

Intersection means the area embraced within the extension of the lateral curblines, or if none, then the lateral boundary lines of intersecting ways as defined in M.G.L.A. c. 90, § 1, including divided ways. The rules and regulations herein contained governing and restricting the movement of vehicles at and near intersection 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 means a longitudinal division of a roadway into a strip of sufficient width to accommodate the passage of a single line of vehicles.

Officer means any officer, investigator, examiner or inspector of the registry of motor vehicles or any constable or special officer; provided, that such person has his badge of office displayed over his left breast and upon his outer garment.

Official curb marking means that portion of a curbing, the painting of which has been authorized by the city council and which complies with the standards of the department of public works of the commonwealth and has the written approval of such department.

Official street marking means any painted line, marking or marker placed in or upon any street by authority of the city council and which complies with the standards of the department of public works and has the written approval of such department.

Official traffic signals means all signals, conforming to the standards as prescribed by the department of public works of the commonwealth, not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of directing or warning traffic.

Official traffic signs means 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 which are placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction for the purpose of guiding, directing, warning or regulating traffic.

Parking 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, 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 means any person afoot or riding on a conveyance moved by human power, except bicycles or tricycles.

Railroad crossing means any intersection of ways with a railroad right-of-way.

Roadway means 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.

Rotary traffic means the counterclockwise operation of a vehicle around an object or structure.

Safety zone means any area or space set aside within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which has been indicated by signs, lines or markings having the written approval of the department of public works of the commonwealth.

Service zone means any area in the roadway set aside for the accommodation of commercial and transient vehicular traffic.

Sidewalk means that portion of a street or highway set aside for pedestrian travel.

Street or highway means the entire width between property lines of every way open to the use of the public for purposes of travel.

Taxicab stands means any area in the roadway in which certain taxicabs are required to park while awaiting to be engaged.

Traffic means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles or other conveyances, either single or together, while using any street or highway for the purpose of travel.

Traffic-control area means any area along any street or highway, other than an intersecting street or highway, at which drivers are to be controlled by traffic-control signals.

Traffic-control signal means any device using colored lights and which conforms to the standards 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.

Traffic island means any area or space set aside within a roadway which is not intended for use by vehicular traffic.

Tree belt means any area or space between the edge of the roadway and a property line adjacent to the area or space.

U-turn means the turning of a vehicle by means of a continuous left turn whereby the direction of such vehicle is reversed.

Vehicle means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a street or highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

(Code 1971, § 16-1; Ord. No. 975, 4-21-88)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.