§ 10-1-1. Definitions.
(A)
The following words and phrases when used in this Title shall, for the purpose of this Title, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this Section:
1.
Alley: Any public or private passageway or street, as herein defined, having no legal or official name other than "alley" and open to traffic.
2.
Authorized emergency vehicle: Vehicles of the fire and police departments, ambulances and emergency vehicles of all municipal departments or public utilities as are designated or authorized by the chief of police of the City.
3.
Bicycle: Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is over 20 inches in diameter, including any device generally recognized as a bicycle, though equipped with two front or two rear wheels.
4.
Bus: Every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than ten passengers and used for the transportation of persons; and every motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, designed and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.
5.
Business district: The 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, including but not limited to hotels, banks or office buildings, railroad stations and public buildings which occupy at least 300 feet of frontage on one side or 300 feet collectively on both sides of the roadway, or on any other areas so classified by the zoning regulations as set out in Title XI of this Code.
6.
Crosswalk:
(a)
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.
(b)
Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surfaces.
7.
Curb loading zone: A space adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers or materials.
8.
Day: One-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
9.
Divided streets: Any street providing two or more lanes for the exclusive use of traffic in one direction, whether or not divided by a physical barrier.
10.
Double park: The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, upon a roadway where the wheels on the side nearer the curb are more than 18 inches from the curb.
11.
Driver: Every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
12.
Excessive or unusual noise: Any noise caused by a motor vehicle which is in excess of the noise made by the average vehicle of that make and model in good mechanical condition. Any noise made by any person, devices or mechanisms, either in or on a vehicle, which is in excess of audible warning necessary for safe operation of the vehicle.
13.
Explosives: Any chemical compound or mechanical mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion and which contains any oxidizing and combustive units or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities or packing that an ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion, by percussion or by detonator of any part of the compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gases that the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructible effects on contiguous objects, or of destroying life or limb.
14.
Farm tractor: Every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, mowing machines and other implements of husbandry.
15.
Flammable fluid: Any liquid which has a flashpoint of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or less, as determined by a tagliabue or equivalent closed-cup test device.
16.
Freight curb loading zone: A space adjacent to a curb for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of freight or passengers.
17.
House trailer: Every vehicle without automotive power designed for human habitation and for carrying persons and property upon its own structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle.
18.
Intersection:
(a)
The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curblines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways, of two highways which join 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.
(b)
Where a highway includes two roadways 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 roadways, 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.
19.
Laned roadway: A roadway which is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
20.
Limited 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.
21.
Limit lines: Boundaries of parking areas, loading zones, safety or danger zones, crosswalks and lines marked for the purpose of excluding traffic and parking.
22.
Motorcycle: Every motor vehicle having a saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.
23.
Motor vehicle: 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.
24.
Night: One-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise.
25.
Noise makers: Any device or mechanism temporarily or permanently installed on or in a vehicle or omitted from a vehicle which causes or may cause excessive noise.
26.
Official time standard: Whenever certain hours are named herein they shall mean standard time or daylight saving time as may be in current use in the City. When a 24-hour clock system is used, it shall begin with "0000" hour at midnight and run consecutively for 24 hours.
0000 hours: Midnight.
1200 hours: Noon.
2400 hours: Midnight.
27.
Official traffic control devices: All signs, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this Title placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.
28.
One-way traffic: Traffic restricted to movement in one direction.
29.
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.
30.
Passenger curb loading zone: A place adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.
31.
Pedestrian: Any person afoot.
32.
Pole trailer: Every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach or pole, or by being boomed or otherwise secured to the towing vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes or structural members capable, generally, of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections.
33.
Police officer: Every officer of the municipal police department, or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
34.
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.
35.
Railroad: A carrier of persons or property upon cars operated upon stationary rails.
36.
Railroad train: A steam engine, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails.
37.
Residence district: Any and all areas classified as an Agriculture-Estate or dwelling district by the zoning regulations of the City as set out in Title XI of this Code.
38.
Right-of-way: The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
39.
Road tractor: Every motor vehicle designed and used for drawing other vehicles, and not so constructed as to carry any load thereon, either independently or as any part of the weight of a vehicle or load so drawn.
40.
Roadway: That portion of a street or highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. In the event a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately, but not to all such roadways collectively.
41.
Safety zone: The area of 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.
42.
School bus: Every motor vehicle owned by a public or governmental agency and operated for the transportation of children to or from school or privately owned and operated for compensation for the transportation of children to or from school.
43.
School crossing: Any crosswalk on a public street designated as such by ordinance of the Council and marked by signs or pavement markings identifying it as a school crossing.
44.
School zone: Areas, whether adjacent to schools or not, when properly marked by signs or pavement markings designating them as school zones.
45.
Semi-trailer: Every vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.
46.
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.
47.
Stop: When required, means complete cessation of movement.
48.
Stop, stopping or standing: When prohibited, means any stopping or standing of vehicles, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or a traffic control sign or signal.
49.
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.
50.
Through street or highway: Every street or highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting streets or highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs are erected as provided in this Title.
51.
Traffic: Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street for purposes of travel.
52.
Traffic control signal: Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
53.
Traffic division: The traffic division of the police department of the City.
54.
Traffic violations court: The corporation court of the City.
55.
Trailer: Every vehicle, with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
56.
Truck: Every motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
57.
Truck-tractor: Every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.
58.
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.
59.
Yield signs: Signs bearing upon their faces the phrase "Yield Right-of-Way."
(Ord. of 6-23-1953; Ord. No. 3848, 11-14-1961; Ord. No. 4915, 1-14-1975)
State law reference
Statutory definitions, V.T.C.A., Transportation Code ch. 541.