The plaintiff appeals from an order of the Appellate Division of the District Courts dismissing a report in an insurance contract action.
The defendant’s insurance policy defines a pedestrian as “a person who is walking or who is operating a bicycle, tricycle or similar vehicle, or a person on horseback or in a vehicle drawn by an animal.” The term “pedestrian,” as defined by the “no-fault” statute, also includes “persons operating bicycles, tricycles and similar vehicles and persons upon horseback or in vehicles drawn by horses or other draft animals.” G. L. c. 90, § 34A, as amended through St. 1973, c. 806, § 4.
The term “pedestrian,” from the Latin word, pedester, means one who travels on foot. See W. Skeat, Etymological Dictionary of the English Language 429-430 (1882); Webster’s New Int’l Dictionary 1802-1803 (2d ed. 1959). Accord, Mixon v. Atlantic Coast Line R.R.,
Although by statute the Legislature expanded the common meaning of “pedestrian” to include those on bicycles, tricycles, horses, or in carriages drawn by an animal, the statute was not so expanded to include those in stationary motor vehicles. Nor do we think that a motor vehicle is similar to a vehicle drawn by an animal or one moved through human effort. If the Legislature intended to include, within the definition of “pedestrian,” those people inside parked motor vehicles, it would have expressed such an intent. We cannot extend the plain meaning of the terms of the statute to accomplish a result not expressed. See Bergeron, petitioner,
Order dismissing report affirmed.
Notes
Ordinarily a decision of the Appellate Division is interlocutory; a final judgment, subject to appeal of right to this court, would arise only after a de novo trial in the Superior Court that completes the proceeding. Pupillo v. New England Tel. & Tel. Co.,
