Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-07-29
a Law That is a Dead Letter.

| We have had a good deal of discussion
in Vermont in recent years in regard to
the enforcement of laws, but did anyone
ever hear of an automobilst being ar
rested and fined in Vermont for reckless
ridng?s
The state law on this subject is ex-
picit and it is time that some action was
taken to protect pedestrians, bicyclists
and more particularly the drivers of
horses from the iehus Of the steam and
gasolene cars who seem to think that
they have monopoly of the highways.
Some automobilists show consideration
for other people but a majority run at
immoderate speed. When a chauffeur
dashes into Brattleboro and brags that
he has run nine miles over hilly country
roads in 20 minutes it is evident that
unless a curb Is put upon him he viii
sooner or later smash himself and the oc-
cupants of his car. or more likely, smash
the innocent occupants OF a carriage
who are legitimately and properly enjoy
ing their rights on the highway.
Automobiles have driven much pleas
urc riding behind horses from our roads,
and they have done this in large part
through carelessness and recklessness.
Some fine driving horses which formerly
paid no attention to automobiles are
now frightened at the approach Of a ma
chine, simply because cars have been
run too close to them at unexpected times
and at excessive speed.
The law Of Vermont provides that au-
tomobiles shall not be driven on country
roads in excess of Is miles an hour and
not more than six miles an hour through
cities. incorporated villages and thickly
settled communities and that the raising
of the hand by a person riding behind
horse shall be a signal for the auto
mobilist to recognize by stopping his ma
chine.
Earl Russell is making an effort To i'm
press upon chaffeurs Of England the ne
Cessity of obeying not only the statute
law bearing upon the subject, but the un-
written law characterized as the cour-
I tesy Of the road" Lord Russell says the
guiding principle OF his movement is TO
drive so as not to annoy other traffic. and
TO do everything possible to facilitate its
passage In driving through towns
Lord Russell insists the chaffeur should
always Doe careful not only to the extent
/ 90 such an extent as to make it clear to
the public there is no danger. 1t is
not enough not to run over "a pedestrian;
it is also ones duty not to frighten him.
\ cycllst, having the weaker and less
safe machine, should neither be over
taken nor passed so closely as to force
him into the ditch or "a bad piece of road
way"
II the automobiles follow Lord Rus
sells advice there Will be no reason for
criticism and no necessity for laws reg
ulating speed. but with the repeated eX-
hibiions Of fast riding seen on the streets
Of Rattleboro and on the country roads
in this and other towns this season it is
time to enforce the law and bring the
road hogs to the point where they will
respect the rights OF others.
The penalty FOR violation of the auto
mobile act is 800 fine. or Imprisonment
l5 days, or both. Some OF the speed mer-
chants. whose pockets are well lined.
would not seriously mind the fine but n
sojourn Of 10 days behind the steel bars
might cool their ardor for scorching.