Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-05-07
VIRGINIA AUTO LAWS.


ing them on the roads and highways Of
Virginia will be interested in the follow
ing extracts from the acts of the General
Assembly governing the operation OF au-
tomobiles, lOcOmobiles and other vehicles
and conveyances whose motive power Is
other than animals.
The act starts out by making provision
that every owner of an automobile or the
like shall register the same with the sec
relary of the commonwealth and from that
official must secure certificate OF regis
tration which shall be attached to The
machine in "an easily accessible place, }"
and nHmber which shall always be in
evidence upon the rear of the machine.
which at all times within one hour after
sunset aud one hour before sunrise shall
have at least one white light throwing a
bright light at least 100 feet in the di-
rection in which the machine is going.
The machine must also have red light
in rear, which will show the machine
number. When the owner OF the ma
chine sells in the year following the
date of his orginai certificate The new
purchaser must secure new license. The
machine owner must pay $2 for each
certificate.
An auto operator shall not drive in the
corporate limits of any city or town at
greater speed than twelve miles an hour.
Outside of the corporate limits OF any
city or town the speed of fifteen miles an
hour is permissible, except in going
around curves, down sharp inclines or at
the intersection of any cross road or over
the crest of hills, or in passing other
vehicles or riders on roadways when
rate of speed that will tend to avoid dan
ger must be observed.
It shall be the duty of the owner or
the driver of every machine run upon
any turnpike upon passing tollgate
to exhibit his certificate to the tollgate
keeper, aud it shall be the duty OF the
owner of any machine to exhibit his
certificate for inspection when so re-
questfd by the sheriff or any constable,
police or peace officer.
The following rate Of speed may be
maintained
First. A speed of eight miles an hour
around curves or bends or where the
roadway is not plainly visible for dis
tance of 200 feet ahead, and at the inter
section of prominent cross roads, when
such roads or highway passes through
the open country.
Second. A speed of eight miles an
hour at points on any public highway
when there is gathering OF horses or
persons. Otherwise the rate of speed
may be fifteen miles per hour, but not
more, and this rate is subject to the con-
ditions set forth in succeeding proyi-
sions.
Third. A speed Of eight miles per
hour where street or highway passes
the built.up portions of a city, town or
village.
The owner, operator, conductor,
driver or occupant OF any automobile
shall keep careful look ahead for the
approach of horseback riders or vehicles
drawn by horses or other animals, and
upon the approsch of such rider or vehi-
cles shall slow up, keep his machine uu-
der thorough and careful control, give
ample roadway to such rider or vehicle,
and il signaled by such rider or occup-
ant OF such vehicle, or be otherwise re-
quesled thereto, shall Immediately bring
his vehicle to full stop and allow am
pie room and time to allow such rider or
vehicle to pass. And if requested so to
do by the said rider or the occupant of
said vehicle, the owner, operator, con-
ductor or occupant, if male, Of any
such machine shall lead the horse or
horses past bis machine. Should any
such horse, ridden or driven in an OPP
posite direction to that which the ma
chine is travelling. give evidence OF
fright, then the duty of the driver shall
be the same as If he had been signaled
to by the rider of the horse or the oc-
cupant of the vehicle
When the operator, owner, occupant,
conductor or driver of such machine
oyertakes horse or vehicle travelling in
the same direction with himself, he
shall slow down his speed, signal the
road by bell or gong or horn, aud if the
horse or vehicle stop shall pass at rate
of speed not greater than four miles pei
hour Should such vehicle or ridden
horse and the said operator, owner
driver, conductor or occupant of saiC
machine desire to pass, he shall do so al
a rate of speed not greater than may be
necessary, and shall in all cases use due
diligence not TO frighten the horse o
horses. In case Of the machine passin!
a horse or vehicle going in the same di
rection, provisions of the last foregoing
paragraph shall apply TO the operator
owner. driver, conductor or occupant o
the machine, except that in such cas-
the horse or horses shall be held unit
the horse or horses become quiet ant
,, then the machine may proceed.
, Every machine shall be provided will
lock, key or other device to prevent II
: being set in motion, and no person shal
allow any such machine operated by hir
good complexion is impossible with tn
] stomach out of order IL pasty sallow peopl
70 fhatr efn aah