The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1907-08-16
YOUR RIGHTS
IN THE ROAD
What to do with Smart Alecks and
Selfish Grown People Rights Of
Carriages, Bicycles and Automo-
biles- Damage From Mud Holes

5f AHQulfloS COlntug tO our OluCo CohCoi -
ing the rights, privileges and duties ol
persons in relation to each other when
on the public roads, makes it necessary
to reprint at intervals, some explana-
ton of the statutes and the unwritten
laws worthy Of attention.
Common sense and reasonable re-
gard for the rights and convenience OF
the other fellow would always be safe
guide, but so long as some travellers
have the bulldog nature and others the
hog nature, there will be indignities
thrust upon other travellers, and for
their redress and protection, laws are
on the statute books, which may be
q enforced thru the county attorney, who
is the servant Of the people, and when
he is satisfied that law has been vio-
lated and there is proof of it, he may
bring suit to punish the offender.
1t is not always the ignorant, nor the
selfish, but frequently the upstart,' the
smart aleck, the hoodlum that makes
the most trouble when he is out away
from his mother, who forgets that
other people want to pass along without
disturbance; that old people or mothers
with little children want to avoid excite
ment and accidents.
For each party to turn out to the right
when meeting, and give half of the road;
is known to all to be the proper thing, but
not all people know that when A over
takes b and wishes to pass him it is
B'splace to give him as favorable ground
to pass on as he can, and if it appear
that it wonld be favor to A to have B
stop or turn out to let him pass, com
mon courtesy dictates that he should do
it,
If a person causes q loss CT ffttjjasy to
another by bad or reckless driving or
inability to drive or control his team,
he is liable for it, and the road district
is liable for damages suffered on account
of bad condition of the road. such as a
hole in bridge or grade or anything
which would be dangerous to the travel
ing public either in day or night, if
drivers exercised reasonable care.
. II a mudhole exists by reason of i'm
proper care of the road by the road
overseer, and a person suffers damages
in it, such as breaking harness and
doubletrees, the road district is liable
for it, provided the harness and double
trees were strong, and suitable for
handling the load on reasonably good
roads. If a mans horse got down in
the mudhole aud were drowned, aud it
appeared that he did not exercise reas-
enable effort to get the horse up and
save him, then the road district would
not be liable for the value Of the horse.
II the mudhole were caused by drain
age from private property, such as an
irrigatng ditch, then the owner of the
water would also be subject to fine and
Imprisonment for making the road unfit
for use.
All vehicles, horse men and footmen
have rights in the road, in keeping with
their needs. For instance, u lady with
baby carriage, might need only one
side of the track, but courtesy and
common sense would cause a man with
y wild horse to give more than mere
passing room, aud it the horses were
gentle and safe and she did not know it,
it would BIZ distressing and IN injury to
her to have the horse or horses brush
by nearer than is necessary.
A bicycle is entitled to one track,
either for meeting 0r passing, and il
the rider whistles or gives signal to
attract the attention of the driver. it is
the drivers duty to Immediately turn OUT
TAR enough to allow free passage Of the
wheel in the path or track which the
wheel Is in when the signal is given.
In addition TO this it is the duty Of the
driver 10 swing the team far enough
aside to make the person on the wheel
safe from possible kicks from startled
horse, and it is also the duty OF the per.
SON on the wheel when overtaking and
passing . team suddenly, to signal the
driver in time to guard against accident
to the vehicle by startling the horses.
When the man on bike meets team
that txkes alarm at his wheel,he should
dismount, and if necessary, hide the
wheel until the team passes.
The principles that govern other
vehicles, apply to the automobile. 1t is
entitled to space in the road, and the
chauffeur lsho fer, accent the second
syilablel should exercise reasonable
care I'd avoid soaring nurses, elther- IN
meeting Or passing, and II the case
seems to demand It, he should give all
OF the road possible, stop the machine
and even shut down the engine. Persons
having timid horses have no legal right