Evening star., 1901-05-20
STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE
Laws Relating to the Conduct of
Riders and Drivers.
SP ED AT CROS 81 n G S


| accidents resulting therefrom Major Syl-
vester. chief of police, says that at this
| season of the year. when the streets and
| sidewalks are most inviting, the members
/ of the force are giving special attention to
| the rules of the road as laid down by the
| several laws the subject. Daily reports
received at headquarters show that these
| laws are violated many times through igno-
| rance. Because of the many inquiries
| made Major Sylvester has prepared for
ready consultation the greater part of the
| laws relating to the conduct of riders and
| drivers on the streets and roads of the Dis
| trict. which really constitute the legal rules
! of the road. They are as follows:
proVes of cattle swine shall not be
| driven loose through the streets during the
| day time.
| Horses and mules shall not be driven
| loose through any street under any cir
| cumstanCes.
| Drivers of any of the animals heretofore
! mentioned shall not be under sixteen years
| of age.
! Horses shall not be hitched tolamp posts.
| All vehicles are precluded from the use
| of the side walks-except baby carriages.
| Riders and drivers shall make way for
| pedestrians at the street crossings.
| Bicycles shall at all times be under the
! control of the rider.
! Bicycles in motion one hour after sunset
| until one hour before sunrise shall display
! a suitable light.
| Bicycles and street cars shall strike
| gong or bell to give warning.
| Speed ut CrossinSs.
| The speed of bicycles at the crossing of
| intersecting streets on which there are car
| tracks in the city of Washington, shall not
| exceed six miles hour and between in
| tersecting streets shall not be run at a
| greater rate of speed than twelve miles an
| hour Outside of Washington they may be
a he "a; of mill
The maximum rate of speed for teams
! over bridges in the District of Columbia
/ shall not be greater than a walk, except
| for carriages and light vehicles, which may
| be run at the rate of six miles an hour
The weight, including vehicles, crossing
| a bridge, shall not exceed six tons. No
person shall convey any earth or articles
whatsoever that can be scattered, dropped
or let fall. blown spilled on the streets
Carts and loaded vehicles shall not move
abreast on any street or avenue, but shall
follow in line, Drivers shall maintain a
clear interval of fifteen feet between car
riages, carts or wagons. Drivers are re-
quired to keeI upon the seat Of their We
hlcle at all times. when driving. Vehicles
shall not be allowed to be driven two OF
more abreast either side of streets
upon which are car tracks unless the road
way is more than fifty feet wide. Public
vehicles for hire shall not stop or loiter
upon any street, except at the regular
public stands.
No cattle shall pe permitted to run at
large in the District. No horse, mule or
other animal shall be driven on any of
the gravel foOtwayS. No person shall ride
or drive any animal of the horse kind on
any street. avenue or alley In the cities of
Washington or Georgetown at a rate of
sreed exceeding eight miles an hour, nor
cause any such animal to turn any cor
ner within the said cities at a rate of
speed exceeding four miles per hour, nor to
ride or drive any such animal on any road
or highway in that part of the District of
a In Si3 We of -.li1 1itia
rate of speed exceeding twelve miles per
hour
Garbage carts must be water tight No
garbage cart shall stand in front of any
residence a needless length of time.
Governing Assembly of Vehicles
Whenever any assembly shall occur in
voving collection congregation of We
hicles, all such vehicles, both in delivering
and taking up their occupants or those
using them, shall keep the curb at the
right hand, and while waiting the vehicles
shall be arranged in not more than two
ranks on each side of the street and par
allel Herewith, so as to facilitate their
coming up in the proper direction when
called for and for this purpose space of at
least twenty feet shall be left clear in the
middle Of the street and along the curb at
the entrance to the building or place where
any such assembly is had. Drivers are re-
CURED to be orderly. Drivers of public
vehicles must not demand unlawful fees:
| must not solicit fares; must not refuse to
take passengers; are required to keep
stands clean; are required to keep lights
on at night, and are required to post a
schedule of rates. Disputes may be set
tied at station houses.
Public vehicles are required to be in good
condition. Hitchins posts cannot be used
as signs. Animals shall not be fastened
To lamp posts. In emergency the streets
may be cleared of vehicles.
Sleighs other vehicles on runners shall
have bells attached thereto to the animal
drawing the same.
Locomotive engines shall not run at a
greater rate of speed than six miles
hour.
Pennsylvania avenue is considered two
streets. one on the north and one on the
south side of the car tracks.
1t has been held that the riding of a
bicycle in the center of the street between
the tracks is a violation of the regula-
tons In turning corners vehicles of all
kinds should leave ample space to the left
for the passage of other vehicles to the
right. 1t has been held that bicycles cross
ing from one side of the street to the other
In the middle of the square shall at
right angles.
Street Car Rules.
Minors are not allowed to jump on and
off cars
Street cars must stop on the near side
before crossing intersecting streets.
Street cars are required to display lights
and are required to carry tenders.
Platforms of street cars must be guarded
by gates.
Street cars shall not stand on any street
or avenue for longer period than five
minutes; shall not move at a greater rate
of speed than twelve miles an hour in the
city of Washington, nor at greater rate
than fifteen miles an hour outside of the
city of Washington, except in Tenleytown,
where there are not allowed to exceed
twelve miles an hour; shall not exceed
/ rate of six miles an hour in making a
crossing.
Any vehicle turning the corner to the
| right shall keep to the right OF the center
| of the street.
| Vehicles shall not crowd any person on
| a bicycle against the curb of the sidewalk
| or against another vehicle.
Travel on the public streets at inter-
| secting crossings shall be regulated SO as
| to allow the right OF way to those going
north and south.
All vehicles on the public highway should
keep TO the right.
Movements ON Pennsylvania Avenue
The general movement of vehicles on
/ Pennsylvania avenue. while PENNSYLVANIA
avenue is considered as two streets. shall
/ be SuDOrdnatet TO huSinaso oS ,ha