New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-14
RIFLES OP THE Road.

The new rules Of the road for governing
traffic In the streets Of this city are commend
able as far as they go. They go considerable
way. though not far enough. It may be that
some OF the apparent omissions provided for
in other ordinances though even If so it might
have been well TO repeat them IN these rules,
SO as TO have the latter a complete code of
highway regulations. II they not thus pro-
vided for, there should surely be some addi-
lions to the newly enacted rules at the first
opportunity. The rules for example, direct that
vehicles shall keep close TO the right hand
curb as possible, and that no vehicle shall stop
with fits left side to the curb. That is quite
right It would have been well to add, how
ever that vehicles must stop. or stand, close 10
the curb and parallel with It. Perhaps that is
implied in the rules we have quoted, but we
should like 10 see II made a little palmer, for
one great evil Of many streets now is that BUSH
ness wagons are left standing some distance
out from the curb, OF st angle with it-often
Mt a right angle the vehicle being backed up to
the curb, so as to make il easier TO load or IN
load goods. Such a position Of vehicles causes
much obstruction OF the highway, and should
be strictly prohibited
It IS gratifying 10 see that IN accordance with
the persistent urgings of The Tribune, the new
rules forbid the inuusting Of horses and We
hicles 10 children Of tender years. The mini
mum age permissible for a driver is placed ut
sixteen years. That IS not a day too high. It
may be that there are some boys under six
teen who are quite competent to drive There
are a good many more above that age who
are not al to be intrusted with a wooden saw
horse. But st is manifestly impossible TO hold
examinations to ascertain the ability Of all driv-
ers, and therefore the best thing that can be
se A.
fly Of cases, boys OF less than sixteen years
have neither the judgment nor the physical
strength necessary for guiding a horse and
wagon through crowded city streets. No doubt
the enforcement Of this rule Will cause many
changes in employment Hundreds Of wagons
IN nearly all parts OF the city have hitherto
been managed by children Just entering their
teens. But the rule should be enforced to the
letter. AS for the speed rule for automobiles
and bicycles, we shall hope TO see it also en-
forced At present such vehicles seem often
10 have no law.
The rule that surtace cara shall stop at the
near crossing has safety and uniformity TO CON-
mend 1.-TWO important things Hitherto cars
have stopped at some streets az the near and
at some at the far crossing but IN most cases
they have stopped according 10 the caprice OF
the man az the motor. IT does not so much mat
ter which crossing they stop at as that the
rule shall be uniform, so that the public viii
always know where they viii stop. The new
rule has just this awkward feature-that in
stopping at the near crossing the rear platform
OF the car viii not be at the crossing at all,
but the cars length from It. That viii neces-
state either the OF the front door for ngress
and egress, which would be intolerable In cold
weather and Objectionable at all times. OF else
the tramping Of passengers across the road
way where there is no crossing and where, too