Motorcar Regulations
Automobile Ride, 1908
From the Meriden Ledger, May 7, 1908
Dr. Marks, with three ladies and a gentleman, rode out over our roads one evening last week just at dark in his big Rambler automobile, it all lighted up to perfection. Telephone messages ran ahead of them announcing their coming and the farmers were out looking at a nice scene. Now if our horses will only behave themselves, let them speed away.
This article appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2013.
Regulating Speed and Operation of Automobiles, 1910
From the Oskaloosa Independent, May 6, 1910
The Legislature of 1903 passed a law regulating the speed, operation and equipment of automobiles, but the law is not generally observed. Some persons drive their cars as suits their pleasure or convenience, with little regard for the rights of others. The greatest danger from reckless driving is to small children who wander out into the streets, and are unable to appreciate the danger.
The law provides that every automobile shall be equipped with bell or horn and lights, and that these lights burn from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise. No automobile shall be run at a speed exceeding 20 miles per hour outside the limits of the thickly settled or business part of any city or town, and not exceeding 10 miles per hour within the thickly settled or business part of any city or town. In meeting or passing teams, if they should appear frightened, the driver shall reduce the speed, and if signaled by the driver of the team, proceed no farther, but remain stationary as long as necessary to allow the team to pass. Upon approaching crossings the driver of the automobile shall run at a rate of speed less than that specified and not greater than is reasonable, having regard to the traffic and use of the intersecting ways.
Cities have power to regulate and control speed and use of automobiles by ordinance.
Persons violating this law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not exceeding $100.
This article appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 1983.
Signal Code, 1915
From the Nortonville News, September 10, 1915
A “sane signal code” has been adopted by a number of automobile clubs in the East and already the attention of Kansas motorists has been directed toward it. The code, motorists believe, will revolutionize traffic. The code provides one blast of a motor horn or signal by the motorists for “straight ahead,” two for a stop, three for a turn to the right and four for a turn to the left. The plan is designated to become general thru-out the country so motorists away from home may not be annoyed by unfamiliar traffic signals and regulations. All police, pedestrians and motorists would then understand the simple code.
This article appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 2007.
Probate Court Item, 1916
From the Valley Falls New Era, June 15, 1916 (copied by Jeff Laird)
City Marshall Sturgeon of Oskaloosa, made quite an array of arrests last Monday evening. All told five parties, including one young lady, were arrested for running their cars without tail lights. Tuesday morning they appeared before police judge Leach, assessed a fine of $1 each, with no costs. This being their first offense he was somewhat lenient with them. The people are beginning to realize that Mr. Sturgeon means to enforce the city ordinance governing the running of cars within the city limits and those who have been of a different opinion had better change their minds mighty quick.
This article appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 2004.
Caution on the Operation of Automobiles, 1922
From the Winchester Star, Fri., Aug. 4, 1922
People are becoming more and more careless all the time in the operation of automobiles. We refer to the growing practice of running cars at night without head lights and rear lights. It is no unusual thing to observe a number of cars every night running along our residence streets without either. The occupants appear to have not the least concern for their own safety nor the safety of others. There is a strict law against this uncalled for practice and it should be enforced to the letter. Just why people persist in flirting with death in this manner is hard to understand. At any rate, it is a pernicious habit and one that should be stopped by all means. It is only appropriate to class the fellow who runs without lights along with the speed maniac, who places but little, if any, value upon human life. The attention of our city minions of the law is respectfully directed to these chaps who evidently love darkness better than light.
This article appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2020.
Doctor Loses Wife from Car, Drives on, 1929
From the McLouth Times, June 27, 1929
Dr. Cain is the recipient of many ha, ha's from his neighbors and townsmen these days, who were let in on a rich joke on him – fortunately not a serious joke.
He and Mrs. Cain were en route to Lawrence in a two seated car, the wife in the rear. To make a turn at a corner and avoid an obstruction the doctor swerved the car rather sharply. Mrs. Cain, being drowsy, lurched sideways and tumbled out the door, which was not well fastened. As she fell she called out to her husband, but he thought she was just chiding him for the quick turn and drove on without seeing what had happened. After a time – some folks say it was two miles down the road, doc may have to prove it was less – he heard the car door slam shut and turned, to discover his wife missing. Nor could he see her on the ground or in the ditch or down the road. Thoroughly alarmed, he turned the car around and drove back, at length meeting Mrs. Cain who was pursuing her fleeing husband, as best she might, shaken up and bruised as she was. What happened when she got him home closer to the rolling pin, affiant sayeth not.
This article appeared in "Yesteryears" in October 1996.
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