New-York tribune., 1896-11-22
REGTL4TING MOTOR TRAFFIC.

The general coming into use OF the bicycle
has made many changes on the highway IL
has promoted the building Of good roads and
caused the imposition Of lew rules for the con-
troll of traffic. to the advantage not only OF
wheemen, but Of the public at large. such
new order Of affairs Is not always promptly
recognized Indeed. II was not in THIS case
Most of the disputes and disasters In the early
days of bicycling arose from that fact. Men
tried TO regulate the new practice with old rules,
foygetful of the warning against putting new
wine into old bottles. AS soon as the need OF
new rules was seen and supplied. the trouble
largely ceased until now there Is probably no
form of travel more orderly and safe, all things
considered. than bicycling. A similar experience
will doubtless be undergone with respect TO
horseless carriages They cannot properly be
regulated by the rules already existing for horse
vehicles. They are new device, and must have
new rules of their own.
This fact has promptly been recognized In
England. a country far less conservative in many
respects than the United States. Hitherto all
self-propelling vehicles have been under a law
forbiddlng their progress at a rate more rapid
than four miles an hour. That was well enough
for heavy traction engines steam rollers and
carriages for passengers. SO a brand-new set
of regulations had to be devised for the benefit
of the latter 1t was promulgated by the Local
Government Board. and went into force n week
ago. 1t describes the vehicles to which it ap-
plies as light locomotives" Such vehicle
must he propelled by mechanical power-steam
compressed air OF clcctrcity-and capable Of
being worked either forward or backward; with
wheel tires at least 2lh inches broad and broader
up to inches in proportion to its weight; with
two separate and Independent brakes. each
alone capable Of fully controlling it: and with
n lamp showing white in front and red behind,
lighted at all times between one hour after sun
set and one hour before sunrise. 1t must be
not more than 6 feet wide; not over 3 tons in
weight unloaded: used only for the purpose Of
Dropelling itself or itself ard one attached car
rage. in which latter case the weight Of both,
unloadpd. must not exceed tons; and 1t must
emit no smoke nor visible vapor.
Such are the chief requirements Of vehicles
which would take advantage Of the new rules.
All not answering to this description must be
governed by the old rules. moving only four
miles an hour and being preceded by signal.
man with lantern or red flag. Vehicles meet
ing these requirements may traverse the public
streets at viii, under reasonable restrictions Of
speed. The maximum speed which may be
made only by those weighing less than Y tons.
Is twelve miles an hour. Those between ~
and tons may make eight miles, and those
exceeding tons five miles an hour And, how
ever light the motor, If second carriage be
attached. the speed must not exceed six miles
an hour. The police have, OF course, the power
still further to regulate speed and stoppagcs. for
the convenience of the general traffic, just as in
the case Of ordinary vehicles. The Eight loco
motives" must observe the usual rules Of the
road. as to turning out in passing others. ETC..
and must give warning of their approach by
means Of bell or other device, which, We may
be sure. the police will not permit to be too