The Washington times., 1903-04-28
COMMISSIONERS APPROVE
AUTO REGULATIONS
Chautfeurs Must Prove Com
potency and Be Numbered.
FEW CHANGES IN DRAFT
Lamps Must Be Carried by Each
Machine-Right Of Way
Defined

On motion of Commissioner West. the
District Board today approved the pro
posed automobile regulations.
The original DART has been returned
by the Corporation Counsel. with only
q few verbal changes. and Major SyI-
! yester had no changes to suggest. The
/ regulations viii be advertised. aud go
into effect after thirty days from the
beginning of such advertisement
Text Of Regulations.
The text Of the regulations follows:
Section l. It shall be unlawful for
any person or persons, with the excep-
/ ton hereinafter named. 20 operate any
motor vehicle Of any kind the motive
/ power for which shall be ela tricity,
steam. gas. gasoIene. oil. napntha. or
other similar source OF energy whether
such vehicle be used as public hack
truck. OF for hire. or for private use
for pleasure or business, except rail
/ road locomotives and electric cars. I'M
/ til such person has first made appiica-
/ Jion in writing and presented himself
/ OF herself for examination before a
/ board OF examiners 10 be appointed by
/ the Commissioners OF the District of
I Columbia, who shall examine such ap-
/ plicant as 10 his or her competency 10
/ operate the specified vehicle and
make a report OF such examina-
nation to the said Commission
/ ers who. if they are satisfied the appIi-
/ cant is qualified to operate the speci-
+ fed vehicle, will issue a permit there
Ep
( Examiners Of Steam Engineer. previous
! TO the adoption OF these regulations will
! not be required to undergo another ex-
/ animation but within thirty days from
! such adoption each such person shall
/ register his or her name with the sec
/ rotary of the Board OF Commissioners in
I order TO receive the permit number men
! toned in section two of these reguIa-
/ tions, Provided. however. That these
I regulations shall not apply to any per
! son learning 10 operate motor vehicles,
/ in case such learner is accompanied by
/ a licensed operator who shall be held
/ responsible for the strict observance OF
these regulations by such learner
! Each Permit Numbered.
Sec . Each permit issued hereunder
shall be numbered and shall contain the
name and address of the person in whose
favor it is issued and shall describe
I definitely the kind OF vehicle 20 be op-
! Grated Hereunder. The number Of such
/ permit shall be conspicUously displayed
upon The rear OF the vehicle so as to
! be plainly visible. the figures to be sep
arate Arabic numerals not less than
| three inches high and the strokes not
/ less than three eighths of an inch in
width Numbers shall not be transferred
/ from one vehicle 10 another. nor shall
/ permit numbers be loaned from one per
son to another. nor shall fictitious num-
! bers be used
Sec. 8 Each vehicle 10 which
/ these regulations refer shall be equipped
with at least TWO suitable lamps 10 be
/ approved by the Commissioners Of the
District of Columbia. such lamps TO be
/ carried at he front Of the vehicle. one
/ on each side. There shall also be .
/ lamp attached to the rear OF such
vehicle. so placed as TO throw a white
! light upon, and thus make plainly
visible. the permit numbers, and to
/ show red light to the rear The said
/ lamps shall be kept brightly burning
! from one half hour after sunset as long
/ as the vehicle is used al night.
/ Sec 4 Each vehicle TO which these
regulations refer shall be provided with
! lock suitable to lock the starting
! lever, throttle. or switch by which the
v~hiclc is set in motion. and no person
/ shall allow any motor vehicle operated
+ by him. OF b. her. to stand or remain
unattended on any OF the streets. ave
/ nues, roads. alleys, highways, parks. or
other public places, without having first
/ locked the lever, throttle. OF switch by
which the vehicle may be started
Right of Way.
+ See : Motor vehicles moving north
or south shall have right Of way over
motor vehicles moving east or west but
this right Of way shall not be con
Istrued as relieving the operator Of any
motor vehicle having such right OF way
/ from exercising due caution to prevent
! collision with other vehicles or with
! pedestrians
Sec Is. No person shall operate OF
attempt to operate any motor vehicle
while such person IS in state Of in
toxication or IS in other respects in
capable OF properly and safely operating
( said motor vehicle