New-York tribune., 1903-04-27
AETOH0RILE SPEED.

The automobile bilP' which was passed by
both houses of the legislature will, if approved
by the Governor, make some RADICAL changes III
the highway law which 1t will be well for all
drivers and motormen to understand. 1t VIII,
in the first place. open to automobiles all streets
and park roads excepting speedways and Bride
paths. That will not mean much of change
in this city. for automobiles go pretty much
everywhere, even on roads from which they are
nominally debarred, such as the East Drive in
Prospect Park. 1t seems to be only fair and
Just that they shall be permitted to use all high
ways that are open to general use.
More important are the provisions regarding
speed In the parks and upon the parkways of
this city the speed is still TO be regulated by the
Park Department Elsewhere in the city no
ordinance shall require a vehicle to go more
slowly than eight miles an hour, or mile in
seven and half minutes. and on streets where
houses are a hundred feet apart the rate shall
not he fixed at less than fifteen miles an hour,
or a mile in four minutes. The latter rate OF
speed would probably be regarded as dangerous
Iv high for city streets were it not modified by
the provision that on meeting or passing per-
sons walking in the highway or driving horses
or other animals. and on crossing other In
terSecting main highways, the speed must be
slowed down to not more than eight miles an
hour and the vehicle must be brought to dead
stop at the request of the driver of horse GO
ing in either direction. This provision. II en-
forced. will practically restrict automobiles to
pace of eight miles an hour in city streets.
In towns and villages the speed is not to be
restricted below twenty miles an hour, or mile
in three minutes. excepting within half mile
of a postof1ce, where 1t is to be reduced to
eight miles an hour. Beyond the half mile
limit it may also be reduced to eight miles an
hour, at the discretion of the local authorities,
if the road be so closely built up as to make
such reduction seem necessary for safety. More
over in the open country, where the twenty
mile or three minute rate is permitted the pro-
vision for slowing down TO eight miles at cross
ings and when meeting passing pedestrians
or drivers of horses. and also for stopping on
request. will be in full force, the same as in the
city.
The measure thus seems to promise to be, on
+he whole. a benefcent one-always provided
that 1t be respected and enforced. 1t ought TO
be resnected for it is reasonable and just in
terms. II will be comparatively easy TO enforce
if for the mea sure requires each automobile TO
display not illegible initials, but in leglDle
foures the number of the vehicles license, by
which the owner or operator can readily ana
surely be identified. The enforcement of the
law will be a serious thing for offenders. Viola
tion of it is to be deemed a misdemeanOr, ana
is to be punished for the first offence by me
of not more than $50; for the second oHence by
q fine of not less than $50 nor more than Sloo,
or by Imprisonment for not more than thirty
days. or both and for third and each subse-
ouent offence by fine of not less than 500 nor
more than $3.50 and by Imprisonment for not
more than thirty days. Such penalties strictly
imposed. should surely discourage the mania
for "scorching" which seems to possess so many
operators of automobiles.