Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1912-05-16

Tho Things You May and May NOT
DO on the Kings Highway.


An lola attorney was asked by q
client not long ago to give him an
abstract of the laws relating to tue
use OF the public highway In Kansas
Il was a good deal Of a commission
for II required not only search
of the statutes but an inquiry into
the construction that had been put
upon those statutes by the courts
A a result of this investigation the
attorney prepared brief which
ought to be read and remembered
by everybody. The Introduction OF
the automobile makes this review OF
the we'll established law Of the road
of especial Importance. There are
some automobllists--very few we De-
lieye-who seem to think that the
road belongs to the man who can
travel fastest and there are some
others-very few we believe-wno
seem to think that an automopiie
has NO rights on the road at all
But here are the rules by which eV-
ervbody should be guided and The
Reflector feels that 1t is rendering
n public service in printing them:
1. A public highway is open Tor
use by the entire public. or any part
thereof. simply for passage, In any
reasonable manner, as to drive cat
tie. or for haulage. but not for sports
or diversions. But even one using
the highways unlawfully has rights
against the negligence of others
2. Automobiles are a reasonable
use of and means of travel on the
public highway; but their owners
have simply equal rights and liabili-
ties with other forms of travel.
8. Traction engines or heavy We
hicles use the highways under regu-
lations. such as requiring a flagman
ahead of them, and their operation
so as not to damage the road.
a. A bicycle is reasonable use
of and means of travel on the pubiic
highway, and subject to regulations;
and while bicyclists should use care
to avoid pedestrians, they are not
liable for frightening horses unless
done negligently.
s. Any traveller may, within rea-
son, stop temporarily on the hign-
wav. but he has no right to do SO
in such a manner or for such a
length of time as to interfere with
other travellers, or prevent the free
use of the road.
6. The law of the. road in this
country requires conveyances on
meeting to keep to the right OF the
travelled part of the road, and
traveller is ordinarily liable for &C
cidents resulting from his failure tt
observe this sustom, especially
such failure was the initial cause o.
such accident.
7. A horseman or light vehicle
should avoid a heavier vehicle, anc
should wait in the face of apparent
danger; and 1t is the duty OF heavy
vehicles to keep we'll to one side t.
allow lighter and more spec ~ ven
icles to pass by, If such custom car
: be followed without manltrs' nj
greater danger to the heavy vehicle
nv reason of such detour than Woul'
N' result to the lighter vehicle because
of temporary delay. In passing, tn
:" approaching vehicle may go on eth
err side, and particularly on the sid
indicated by the movement OF tn
!. heavier vehicle. The leading vehicl
has the choice of the roadbed, ant
vehicles not desiring to pass shoul'
!" follow at a safe distance behind.
.e 8. The custom requiring meetin
travellers to turn to the right doe
: not apply at cross streets, but a.
70 travellers at such crossing shall oh
:. serve such care and conduct OF thel
- vehicles as shall avert collision an
delay. at all times giving preference
~ in order to the vehicles farthest ad
vanced on the course OF their destir
= alton. One turning a corner shoul
- keep away from the left curve an
as soon as reasonably possible, al
- tain the right side of the street. !
" cities where there are crossing pr
licemen, It is absolutely necessar
as he has exclusive charge of tn
- traffic at such point.
:. Contrary to the general belief
-, practice at least, pedestrians haV
co-equal right with other method
Of travel upon any part of the publ
ru.t.a LIN ~ tho rna