The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-17
AUTOMOBILISTS SHOULD
OBSERVE THESE RULES

In automobiling. whether around one $
own locality or on tour there should be
punctilious observance OF the rules OF
the road. Among drivers OF good road
horses there is an unwrtten code. any de :
parture from which. without good cause,
Is regarded as distinct mark OF boorish-
ness or i'll breeding. Either on these
the automobilist cannot afford to be out
done by the horseman IN the practice OF
courtesy in driving. II is unfortunately
the fact that an automobilist often lays
himself open to severe criticism, IL moth
ing worse. by violating a rule or custom
that he is totally ignorant of--his inten-
uons are as good as those of his critics !:
IL Is his knowledge OF what TO do and
when 10 do 1t that is deficient
In automobiling there are two dis
tinct functions which the driver must
perform, says the Motor World. One is
the management Of the automobile as
machine. and the other is the handling Of
the automobile as a vehicle. using the
public roads I'm common with all others
This dual responsibility should never be
lost sight Of even in any emergency. In
competent handling OF the car as a ma
chine may result in nothing worse than
an expensive replacement of some COM
ponent, while careless driving may re-
suit in a heavy bill OF damages assessed
by an unsymrathetic jury.
One Of the commonest Of errors OF auto
mobile driving is TO "cut in" ahead OF a
vehicle going in the same direction, so
that the horse driver must swerve from
his course 10 avoid collision. This is a
gross violation OF road courtesy. and may
easily occasion a serious accident. An
other equally common infraction is cut
ting a corner when making left turn
on a road that is much travelled and es-
pecially when the turn Is made from an
inferior road or street into a main thor
oughfare. All vehicles on main streets
and roads have the right OF way. Turn
ing 10 the right artistically. with a car
Of long wheelbase. requires considerable
amount Of skill so as not 10 get off the
right side OF the road. other frequently
noted violations are. slowing down or
stopping suddenly. without signalling TO
those who are following and also stop
ping for repairs or adjustments in the
middle OF the road. A car should always
be driven close to the curb or road line
before voluntary stop Is made. And
when stopping for any length Of time
on a country road. the car should be
pushed onto the roadside, If surface con-
dtions permit
Many automobilists were and are horse
men. and almost unconsciously they do
the right thing even when there rs not
much time TO think about IL. Some. how
ever. have had no practice In riding or
driving. perhaps not even with bicycle.
and have not given the subject any seri-
Gus attention. To such who have the
opportunity, we suggest the plan OF driv-
ing out with some owner OF good horse
and noting the how and the when"
All horse drivers are not courteous and
considerate of the rights OF other road
users. But whether or not, those who
drive horses for pleasure usually know
the rules of the road even II they do not
observe them. and they certainly can ap-
preciate that knowledge In others.