Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-16
THE RULES OF THE ROAD.

To the Editor OF the Free Press:
The ignorance and Indifference to road
rules. which is displayed daily on our
streets In this city, as we'll as In the
country is astonishing The rules Of the
road are very short and clear. and
should be known by everybody who
md I think one Of the best things the
papers OF the State could DO, would be
to print these rules in conspicuous
places. either continuously. or frequent
~ from time to time. that they may bet
ter educate the public
These simple rules. II followed by each
one. would make great difference not
only in the pleasure OF driving, but In the
danger and liability OF accidents. One
can hardly drive about our city for half
an hour. without meeting from one To
half a dozen drivers. who are either
totally ignorant OF. or oblivious to. the
rules Of the road. In driving the other
day met five cases inside OF two blocks,
where the drivers were on the wrong
side of tho road or turned out the wrong
side
one other point I would bring to the
attention Of our city forefathers Is. the
utter Indifference Of many of the drivers
of heavy teams, and of our city hack =
men. 10 the convenience and comfort Of
the public. Without any reason for It.
YOU will many times find these drivers
travelling on the wrong side of the road.
and two and three abreast across the
road, to the Inconvenience OF others. The
other day as I sat in my carriage at the
curb on the west side OF broad ST. Paul
street. west Of the park. an auto swung
around the corner to go UP St. Paul
street. but had to come 10 a dead stop
because there was no room for II. The
city hacks were standing two and three
abreast, one team going UP the street,
and another coming down. This auto
Ind to stop until the driver could find an
opening TO get through
Something should be done to stop this
nuisance; I very much wish that the
owners Of heavy teams. particularly the
coal. ice. lumber. etc. which are continu-
ally carting on our streets. would give
special instruction to their drivers. as "a
the rules Of the road. and the rights OF
others, and especially about keeping on
the right instead OF the left side Of the
road.
The rules Of the road. which are COM
mon law in Vermont. are, briefly:
DRIVERS of all vehicles approaching
To meet shall turn each to the right OF
the middle Of the Travelled part OF the
road. When this Is unsafe or difficult
either shall stop at the request OF the
other while the one who can best do &C
passes.
"A driver driving more slowly than an
other or stopping his vehicle. shall turn
to the right Of the middle of the trav-
eled part Of the road. II there is room &c
do 80 safely, ard the driver Of tho more
7.dly moving vehicle approaching from
behind him shall turn 10 the LEFT Of the
middle OF the road In passing.
One of the points that an automobile
driver should, and does. watch out for
most closely, Is. the driver ahead turning
10 the left instead of the right as hc
should. when the autoist signals to &c
by, Owners Of teams. teach YOUR drivers
and parents. teach your children. tc
nvod these dangers
Keep on the right side OF the road If
driving. and follow the rules of the road
and thus not only make Il pieasanter fol
oil concerned. but avoid a good deal Of
danger by so doing
Trusting the papers OF the State vii
take this matter up and keep these rules
before the public remain.
Sincerely yours.
DRIVER.
Burlington. W.. Sept. 10. 1902.