The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-07-30
Laws for Autoists.


lie at large may be interested in
knowing the several provisions of
the state automobile law, which was
approved April io. 1905.
NECESSITY OF LICENSE.
The first requirement of the law
is that no motor-vehicle can be
operated within the state Of Penn.
sylvania, city, borough, county or
township, unless the operator there
of has secured a license from the
state highway department. This
applies to all forms of motor-vehic-
les, including the so-called motor
cycles. An especially important
feature of the law lies in the fact
that the operator, not the vehicle,
is licensed.
Every license expires on Decem-
Der 81 of the year i'll which it was
issued and application for a new
license must be made on blank
furnished for the purpose by the
state highway department. The
license fee of s. has to accompany
the application:
NOT TRANSFERABLE.
A license issued to one person
cannot be used by another person.
If more than one person desires to
operate the same motor-vehicle,
each such person must obtain a
license. The license is not effective
until the two license number tags
furnished by the state highway de-
partment have been posted upon
the front and back of the vehicle
The license must be carried by the
operator when driving the motor
vehicle and must be exhibited when
required by any constable or police
officer.
All tags bearing license numbers
except the two furnished by the
state highway department, must be
removed from all motorvehicles
while they are being operated i'll
Pennsylvania and not more than
one state license number may be
carried upon motor-vehicle at
one time.
LIGHTS AND BRAKES.
The rear license tag must be illu
minated one hour after sunset, so
that the number will be plainly dis
tinguished and at least one fixed
white light must be carried. visible
in the direction the machine is pro-
ceeding. One red light must be
carried, visible in the reverse direc-
ton.
Every motor-vehicle must be pro-
vided with good brakes and with
bell, horn or other signal device
that is to be sounded in approach
ing road or street corners The
operator of any motor-vehicle must
stop when signalled to do so by the
driver of any horse or other animal.
SPEED LIMITS.
Perhaps the question Of greatest
public concern is that of speed linn
it's. In cities or boroughs the speed
must not exceed mile in six min
utes; outside of cities or boroughs
a mile in three minutes, while town.
ships of the first class may fix the
limit at a mile in six minutes, signs
announcing this and the penalty for
violation to be posted at each half
mile point along the road. Consta-
bles and police officers may make
arrests for violations of any provis-
ions of the act without warrant.
QUESTION OF FINES.
Conviction subjects the offender
to fine of not less than $40, nor
more than $25 or not more than
ten days Imprisonment for failure
to pay. The fine on second con-
viction is not to be less than $25
nor more than $Ioo, or not more
than thirty days Imprisonment in
case of failure to pay. In case of
a second conviction, the state high
way department revokes the license
of the one convicted for period of
six months.
WHERE FINES GO.
The fines are to be paid to the
city, borough or township wherein
the offense was committed, to be
expended for the benefit of the pub
lie roads or streets.
A careful reading of these nu-
merous provisions of the law, given
above in brief shows that the public
is safe-guarded about as thorough
ly as possible, provided the auto
mobile operators are familiar with
the law and observe it.