Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-20
AUTOMOBILES ABROAD
Rules Enforced in Matter of
Speed and Management.
OPERATORS LICENSED
THE REGULATIONS VERY STRrN-
GENT IN MANY CITIES.
Machines Designated as "Light Lo-
comotives"-Person In Control
Must Be Competent.


foreign countries. The reports cover the
rules in force in many Of the larger cities
and In the provinces as we'll. In most
cases the local municipal and provincial
officials or boards are given authority to
supplement the general regulations govern
ing automobile traffic In any manner they
may deem At. The reports were obtained
principally upon the request of the Com
missioners of the District OF Columbia. to
whom they were recently forwarded by Mr.
Frederic Emery, chief of the bureau Of
foreign commerce.
The Commissioners have under consid-
Grafton the PRONUNCIATION Of more strin-
gent regulations concerning automobiles.
At present there Is no law requiring the
licensing Of operators other than those who
have charge of steam vehicles. The general
law on the subject OF steam engines has
been held to apply to automobiles 50 pro-
PEELED. and In consequence all operators Of
steam vehicles are licensed. There is no
regulation OF requirement reaching the op-
orators OF other classes of automobiles,
Notwithstanding the fact that many of the
gasoline-expiosion types are very compf-
Gated. Only recently Major Sylvester, the
superintendent OF police. reported to the
Commissioners that he thought it advis-
able to prepare some form Of regulation by
which all automobile operators should be
required to pass an examination to their
lie ellSiIoeT department OF
the District government is considering the
matter and, 1t Is believed, will shortly
frame law on the subject.
Regulations Are Stringent.
The automobile regulations In Europe
are very stringent Local owners Of horse
less vehicles have objected strenuously to
the idea Of being compelled to register and
each display on his ma chine the number of
his permit. Yet this requirement Is one of
the first and foremost contained in the laws
of all the foreign countries from which re-
ports have been received. In a great many
instances 1t is stipulated that not only shall
a distinguishing number be displayed In
large figures. but that there shall be at
tached to the machine a Iarge-sized plate
bearing the name and address of the owner
in indefaceable letters and also the name
of the manufacturer In a number OF the
countries of Europe the manufacture of
automobiles is strictly regulated. The yehi-
cles must be examined. or at least the type
of vehicle must be examined before any
are placed in use.
1t is also noticeable that In practically all
Of the countries heard from no permit to
operate an automobile Is issued to a person
under eighteen years Of age. The permits
of capacity must be shown upon the de-
mand Of any competent authority. There
are speed regulations In every town and
country. Double systems of brakes are re-
quired pretty generally. and in some In
stances the space in which an automobile
must be brought to a standstill from full
speed Is specified.
The reports received at the State DEPART
ment and forwarded to the Commissioners
cover the general regulations and laws in
force in Great Britain, France Germany,
Austria Belgium. the Netherlands and else
where. In England the automobile Is Off
cialiy termed a light locomotive" and the
rules governing the use Of these vehicles
are long and wordy. They are explicit as
to the weight, dimensions. tires, etc, OF the
vehicles. 1t is provided that 1.-The light loco
motive shall have two Independent brakes
in good working order. and of such efficien-
cy that the application of either to such
locomotive shall cause two of it's wheels on
the same axle to be so held that the wheels
shall be effectualIy prevented from reyoIy-
Ing. or shall have the same effect In stop
ping the light locomotive If such wheels
were SO held"
Persons Competent to Control
The light locomotive and all its fittings
must be In such condition as not to cause
or to be likely to cause, danger to any per-
son in the vehicle or on the highway and
there shall be In charge of the light loco
motive, when used on any highway, a per-
son competent to control and direct Its use
and movement" In no case shall the speed
on the road exceed twelve miles an hour
while in cities special regulations govern
this point. If horses appear to be fright
ened the operator must stop the automobile
at the first signal.
From Austria 1t is reported nv Consr,l
General G. B. Hurst that the regulations in
force In Vienna for the operation of auto
mobiles are very stringent. Only such au-
tomobiles or motor wheels may be driven
In the public streets as have been officially
Inspected and approved as to their motor
system, transmission Of power, brakes
steering apparatus and safety contrivances
Such appreciation Is obt aimed either for the
NV oct ~
the manufacturer for a certain type or
model after which number of.vehicles is
to be constructed. This appreciation may be
Withdrawn for important reasons The in
spection Is made by commission of ex-
perts appointed by the local authorities
Each automobile must be able to describe
a circle having radius of six and two
thirds yards, and must display on a con-
spicuous part the name Of the manufactur-
ing firm. together with the official number
OF the type or system and the progressive
manufacturing number. The rate of speed
in inclosed spaces must not be greater than
that Of horse at a good trot. In open
spaces the speed may be moderately accel-
Grated, but only on level, broad and straight
roads, along which there Is little traffic.
Regulating the Speed.
Speed must be decreased, and, If neces-
sary. the motor be altogether stopped, II Its
approach is seen to frighten horses or other
animals. thus giving rise to confusion and
ACCIDENTS. IN all DuSy ana narrow streets,
around sharp corners, over crossings and
bridges and on inclines the speed must be
reduced to the pace of foot walker. Rae
ing In the public streets Is prohibited The
owner of an automobile Is responsible for
his vehicle being managed only by persons
fully qualified for the task. and he Is an
swerable for any accident or damages from
incapacity, oversight or recklessness of the
driver. The driver must always carry a
certificate of appreciation with him. The
penalties are fines and Imprisonment.
From Belgium comes report from Con-
sui General g. F. Lincoln at Antwerp In
which he says drivers OF automobiles are
prohibited from running their machines at
a greater speed than that of the ordinary
| trot Of horse, or from running In circles
on public thoroughfares. Automobiles must
| give way to pedestrians and to vehicles for
children or invalids. The number of the
automobile must be displayed at all times
at night by means Of figures painted on
| lantern front Licenses are required Of all
| operators. and 1t Is provided that drivers
must not. under any circumstances leave
| their automobiles on the public thorough
| fares without skilled attendant
| This last restriction Is not general one
| Most OF the countries do not require an at
| tendant, but specify that the automobile
| must be left In safe condition, irapossia,le
| to be started by itself or by an unauthor-
| lied person.
| Consul a. w Rooseve5t at Rr,.s.a. -