§ 17-1. Definitions.

The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this section, except in those cases where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alley: A minor right-of-way dedicated to public use for utilities and trash pickup, not more than thirty (30) feet wide, located in the interior portion of platted blocks, affording a secondary means of access to abutting property and not intended for general traffic circulation.

Authorized emergency vehicle: Vehicles of fire departments, ambulances, vehicles specified pursuant to subsection B of 63 O.S. § 1-2512 of licensed ambulance service providers, county sheriff vehicles and full-time commissioned deputies and police vehicles, including vehicles owned or operated by the United States Marshal Service, the federal Bureau of Investigation, or by any local organization for civil defense as defined by 63 O.S. § 683.3, are authorized emergency vehicles; such vehicles shall be equipped with siren capable of giving as audible signal, as required by the provisions of 47 O.S. § 12-218, and flashing red lights as authorized by the provisions of 47 O.S. § 12-218.

Bicycle: Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels either of which is over twenty (20) inches in diameter, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two (2) front or two (2) rear wheels.

Business district: The territory contiguous to and including a roadway when within any six hundred (600) feet along such roadway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including, but not limited to, hotels, banks, office buildings, railroad stations and public buildings, which occupy at least three (300) feet of frontage on one (1) side or three hundred (300) feet collectively on both sides of the roadway.

Controlled-access highway (limited-access facilities): Every highway, street, roadway or facilities in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting 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, roadway, or facilities, as authorized by 69 O.S. § 1331.

Crosswalk: 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.

Daytime: The time from a half hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset.

Nighttime: All other times.

Department: The department of public safety of this state, acting directly or through its duly authorized officers and agents.

Driver: Every person who drives, or is in actual physical control of, a vehicle.

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.

Intersection:

(1)

The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two (2) highways which join one another at or approximately right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.

(2)

Where a highway includes two (2) roadways thirty (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 (2) roadways thirty (30) feet or more apart, then every crossing of two (2) roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection.

Laned roadway: A roadway which is divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.

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 to 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.

Motor-assisted scooters: An unlicensed, small, two-wheeled vehicle, with or without a seat, that is powered by either an electric motor that draws current from rechargeable storage batteries or by a gas motor, who[se] top speed is greater than fifteen (15) miles per hour but not greater than twenty-five (25) miles per hour, and which is intended to be ridden by children; provided that electric personal-assistive mobility devices and motorized wheelchairs are exempted from the provisions of this chapter.

Motorcycle: Every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor or motorized bicycle.

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; provided, however, the definition of "motor vehicle" herein shall not include implements of husbandry as defined in 47 O.S. § 1-125, or motorized bicycles, as defined in 47 O.S. Supp. § 22.1.

Official traffic-control devices: All signs, barricades, signals, markings and devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic.

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.

Passenger curb loading zone: A place adjacent to a curb reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of passengers.

Pedestrian: Any person afoot.

Police officer: Every officer of the municipal police department or any other officer who is authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of state traffic laws and municipal ordinances.

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.

Railroad: A carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails.

Railroad train: A steam engine, diesel, electric or other motor, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails except streetcars.

Residence district: The territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district when the property on such highway for a distance of three hundred (300) feet or more is in the main improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.

Right-of-way: The privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.

Roadway: That portion of a street or highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder. In the event a highway includes two (2) or more separate roadways, the term "roadway" as used herein shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.

Safety zone: The area or 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.

Sidewalk: That portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of the roadway and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.

Stand or standing: The halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.

Stop: When required, means complete cessation from movement.

Stop or stopping: When prohibited, means any halting even momentarily of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic control sign or signal.

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 purposed of vehicular travel.

Through highway or street: Every highway or street or portion thereof on which vehicular traffic is given preferential right-of-way, and at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersection highways or streets is required by ordinance or law to yield right-of-way to vehicles on such through highway or street in obedience to either a stop sign or a yield sign, when such signs are erected as provided in this chapter.

Traffic: Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicle and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any street for purpose of travel.

Traffic control signal: Any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.

Vehicle: Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks; provided, however, the definition of "vehicle" as used in this chapter shall not include implements of husbandry as defined in 47 O.S. § 1-125.

(Ord. No. 2006-27, § 2, 9-19-06; Ord. No. 2016-16, § 1, 8-2-16)

State law reference

Similar provisions, 47 O.S. §§ 1-101 et seq., 11-902(A).