Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1909 — NEED OF AN AUTOMOBILE ORDINANCE. [ARTICLE]

NEED OF AN AUTOMOBILE ORDINANCE.

■ While the state law prescribes the speed limit of automobiles and other motor vehicles and fixes it at not more than 20 miles an hour on the country roads, fifteen miles an hour in towns and cities Outside the business districts, and 8 miles an hour in the business and cloßely j built up portions of such towns or Cities, it seems to have neglected an important thing in providing for the safety of the traveling public in other vehicles, and of pedestrians in the towns ahd cities. The latter can be remedied by ordinance, and no time should be lost in doing so for the safety of life and limb, and some semblance of enforcing the state law as to speed should be made. It is no uncommon sight to see some of our local autoists going through the streets of Rensselaer at a speed of 30 to 40 miles an hour, and if one of them has ever been called down for the offense we have never heard of it. Tourist auto parties often go through town at a speed even in excess of this, and It is time to call a halt before someone is killed or crippled for life. The important omission in the

state law which we wish to point out, however, and which can be remedied by ordinance so far as cities and towns are concerned, is that requiring auto and motor vehicle drivers to signal when approaching a street crossing. The law seems to be silent in this resepct, and It is just as important that signals should also be given when approaching highway crossings. We very seldom hear a 'signal given by auto dirvers when approaching any of our street crossings, and had Mr. Ott signaled Wednesday morning it is nob likely he would have run down a Gillam tp., farmer and only providentially was saved from killing him, dnd Mr. Ott is considered a careful driver, too. Another thing that should be stopped is this thing of some damphool drivers apparently making it point to deliberately drive their machines right up through a crowd on the streets when there is no dcJutaion for 'it except “show off.” Several do whenever there is a crowd in town, and the thing ought to be stopped. An auto has as much right on the streets or highway almost as any other vehicle, it is true, but the drivers should not forget that the public also has rights, and the foot traveler always has thq right-of-way in crossing a street, no matter whether you are driving a team of horses or an auto. When it is unnecessary and dangerous to drive through a crowded street, the auto driver ought to have enough consideration for the public to keep off, and go on some other less crowded thoroughfare. He ought also to always signal' when turning a corner of a street or highway, even if the law does not at present compel him to do so.