The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1912-07-18
TO REGULATE AUTOMOBILES.

L =
ern the handling of automobiles on cit,
streets is needed. In many places sue
vehicles are allowed to stand in on,
spot without moving. only a specified
and limited period. Here they stand al
day long, some of them. TO the incon
venience Of others and the congestion
| Of traffic. But this is a minor com
plant compared with others which ar,
made from day to day, concerning
which the city authorities should tax,
some action; provided always, that th,
State Legislature has left to cities o.
the first and second classes any power,
by which to regulate their own stree
traffic
Too many irresponsible persons art
driving automobiles, Almost every &C
cident that occurs is n result Of mex
perience or rank carelessness Within
the last twenty-four hours. so an eve
ties informs us. exhibitions of gross
incompetence were given by nutomo
bilists on two of the principal streets
of this city.
On South Main street. by cutting
off corner at street intersection
driver ran into motorcycle carrying
two persons, smashed the motor to
splinters and cut one of the riders, a
young lady, so badly that she had to
be carried into a nearby drug store to
await the ambulance.
Turning from Ninth East to South
Temple at such terrific speed that a
street car motorman had to throw on
his reverse to prevent a collision, a
lady driver was vainly trying 10 ad-
Just her headgear while her attention
should have been centered on the steer.
ing gear; swerving suddenly from the
street car she headed for a group of
pedestrians who saved themselves by
flight. one gentleman catching up an
infant barely second before its baby
carriage was run over and wrecked by
the fair automobilist.
There are too many children. thought.
less boys and girls. irresponsible men
and inattentive women driving cars:
but there may not be any way to sort
out the good from the bad, as the
State law says that "every person now
or hereafter acquiring or owning a
motor vehicle shall register his ma
chine, leaving his address, pay the
State two dollars, and be considered
immune from further license or permit,
or revocation thereof bv any local au-
thorities. (See Sec. 2, Laws 1909, and
sub. 2. Sec. /, Laws l9ll.)
However, since the district court
holds that the city has right to throw
safeguards around the morals of the
community, in spite Of the malicious
intent OF the legislature 10 hinder IL in
this particular. a ruling may be OBJ
tanned on the proper kind OF ordinance
as to whether or not the legislative
attempt 10 curtail the power of the
to protect the lives of it's
citizens. will stand judicial investiga.
tion.
IN the driving OF street cars. al.
'NNNs A''t N~i - 'Oullufu 10 ICSChs.
experienced men are required, strict
observance of regulations is manda.
tory while financial responsibility
stands behind every mistake. Many
automobiles, on the other hand, al.
though following no defined path or
apparent purpose, are driven pell neil
and heiter skelter. subject TO no re.
membered rules or discipline on the
part of the reckless drivers; and. in an
appalling number OF cases, with no
financial responsibility behind their
power TO cause death aud destruction.
II is fair 10 assume that the great
majority Of automobile owners. and
especially those who drive their own
machines. would be heartily in favor OF
such an ordinance and its rigid enforce.
ment. After all. il is Gallons reckless.
ness ths, gets every sport and pleasure
into disIepute. unless an early effort
Is made 10 limit the capacity for doing
destructive things.