2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 8. Traffic Regulation › Part 1. General Provisions › 61-8-102. Uniformity of interpretation -- definitions

61-8-102. Uniformity of interpretation -- definitions.
(1) Interpretation of this chapter in this state must be as consistent as possible with the interpretation of similar laws in other states.
(2) As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:
(a) "Authorized emergency vehicle" means a vehicle of a governmental fire agency organized under Title 7, chapter 33, an ambulance, or an emergency vehicle designated or authorized by the department.
(b) "Bicycle" means a vehicle propelled solely by human power on which any person may ride, irrespective of the number of wheels, except scooters, wheelchairs, and similar devices. The term includes an electrically assisted bicycle.
(c) "Bicycle trailer" means a device with one or more wheels that is designed to be towed by a bicycle.
(d) "Business district" means the territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any 600 feet along a highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks, office buildings, railroad stations, and public buildings that occupy at least 300 feet of frontage on one side or 300 feet collectively on both sides of the highway.
(e) "Controlled-access highway" means a highway, street, or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the highway, street, or roadway except at the points and in the manner as determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over the highway, street, or roadway.
(f) "Crosswalk" means:
(i) 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; or
(ii) any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrians crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
(g) "Electrically assisted bicycle" means a vehicle on which a person may ride that has two tandem wheels and an electric motor capable of propelling the vehicle and a rider who weighs 170 pounds no faster than 20 miles an hour on a paved, level surface.
(h) "Flag person" means a person who directs, controls, or alters the normal flow of vehicular traffic on a street or highway as a result of a vehicular traffic hazard then present on that street or highway. This person, except a uniformed traffic enforcement officer exercising the officer's duty as a result of a planned vehicular traffic hazard, must be equipped as required by the rules of the department of transportation.
(i) "Highway" has the meaning provided in 61-1-101, but includes ways that have been or are later dedicated to public use.
(j) "Ignition interlock device" means ignition equipment that:
(i) analyzes the breath to determine blood alcohol concentration;
(ii) is approved by the department pursuant to 61-8-1025; and
(iii) is designed to prevent a motor vehicle from being operated by a person who has consumed a specific amount of an alcoholic beverage.
(k) (i) "Intersection" means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines or if there are no curb lines then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways that join one another at or approximately at right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling on different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
(ii) When a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of the divided highway by an intersecting highway must be regarded as a separate intersection. If the intersecting highways also include two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of the highways must be regarded as a separate intersection.
(l) "Laned roadway" means a roadway that is divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
(m) "Local authorities" means every county, municipal, and other local board or body having authority to enact laws relating to traffic under the constitution and laws of this state.
(n) "Moped" means a vehicle equipped with two or three wheels, foot pedals to permit muscular propulsion, and an independent power source providing a maximum of 2 brake horsepower. The power source may not be capable of propelling the device, unassisted, at a speed exceeding 30 miles an hour on a level surface. The device must be equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only and does not require clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.
(o) "Noncommercial motor vehicle" or "noncommercial vehicle" means any motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles that is not included in the definition of commercial motor vehicle in 61-1-101 and includes but is not limited to the vehicles listed in 61-1-101(10)(b).
(p) "Official traffic control devices" means all signs, signals, markings, and devices not inconsistent with this title that are placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
(q) "Pedestrian" means any person on foot or any person in a manually or mechanically propelled wheelchair or other low-powered, mechanically propelled vehicle designed specifically for use by a physically disabled person.
(r) "Police vehicle" means a vehicle used in the service of any law enforcement agency.
(s) "Private road" or "driveway" means a 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.
(t) "Residence district" means the territory contiguous to and including a highway not comprising a business district when the property on the highway for a distance of 300 feet or more is primarily improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.
(u) "Right-of-way" means the privilege of the immediate use of the roadway.
(v) "Roadway" means the portion of a highway that is improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, including the paved shoulder.
(w) "School bus" has the meaning provided in 20-10-101.
(x) "Sidewalk" means the portion of a street that is between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property lines and that is intended for use by pedestrians.
(y) "Traffic control signal" means a device, whether manually, electrically, or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
(z) "Urban district" means the territory contiguous to and including any street that is built up with structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than 100 feet for a distance of one-fourth mile or more.
History: En. Sec. 155, Ch. 263, L. 1955; R.C.M. 1947, 32-21-158; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 20, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 233, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 195, Ch. 542, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 57, Ch. 329, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 41, Ch. 449, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 296, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 255, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 374, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 309, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 39, Ch. 498, L. 2021.