Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-12-05
TIE RULE OF TIE ROAD

of traversing the roads for purpose
of travel and to make transfer of
their goods, This right to the use
of the highways is that Of every
person. Of course this right of pas
sage must be exercised in a reas-
enable manner. Thus cattle may be
driven through the public highways,
subject to proper regulation by mu-
nicipal authorities, and wagons or
trucks may be used to haul loads
over the roads.
But the roads may not be used
properly for sports or diversions.
Neither may 4 person using the
highway stop and stand for an UNI
reasonable length OF time. OF course
some stops are permitted and are
necessary, but any unreasonable
pause is unlawful and an improper
use of The public highway. Steps
which interfere with travellers and
prevent the free use Of the road are
improper.
An early effort was made to bar
automobiles from the public highways,
as being an unreasonable means of
travel But it is now firmly estab-
lshed that an automobile is prop
er CONVEYANCE for use in the public
roads. Automobilists have equal
rights with other travellers and equal
responsibilities They are, like all
others. subject to reasonable regu-
lations that may be imposed by the
authorities, such as registration and
license.
The user of the familiar bicycle
was himself froWned upon at an
even earlier day, but like the auto
mobilist, established his vehicle be-
fore the law as a proper user of
public roads. Like the autOmObilist
he is subject to regulations, must
use due care to avoid injury to ped
estrians and other travellers, and
must obey the rules of the road.
Even the traction engine may be
driven over the roads under proper
guidance The legislature may, and
frequently does require by law that
a flagman accompany the engine, or
that other precautions be taken. But
traction engine may not be driven
over road SO as to injure the
road or seriously interfere with 9th
er means Of travel Generally speak
ing q highway may be used even to
move a house, but always subject to
the regulations Of the authorities.
AS the automobile and the bicycle
have a right to the use Of the road
they are not responsible, merely be
cause of their presence, if a horse be
comes frightened and, running away,
Injuries the driver. If the AUTOMOBILE
list or bicyclist be negligent he is
responsible for the results of his
which has resulted in injury to the
driver, but III the absence OF any
negligence on his part he is not re-
6pOnsible for injuries caused merely
because his conveyance is upon the
roads
What is Familiarity known as the
rule Of the road is applied to all
public ways of every description
The law is simple and familiar to
ali Of us, that on meeting a vehicle
the driver must keep to the right
The English reverse the rule of the
road and with them vehicles keep
to the left. But the law covering the
use Of the road requires that the
driver do more than keep to the
right when passing one going in the
opposite direction. He must in addi-
ton try to avoid accidents~from
whatever cause. If a traveller fails to
turn to the right as is required by
the rule Of the road he is ordinarily,
responsible for the resulting accident
and must answer to the injured per
son.
However, one may break the rule
of the road and if an accident which
occurs did not happen because of the
failure to observe the rule of the
road, but for some other cause, the
person disregarding the rule Of the
road could not be held responsible
for the accident. Similarly one might
turn to the right and yet manage
his vehicle SO negligently that an
injury resulted For this he would
be responsible and the mere fact that
he Obeyed the rule Of the road would
not protect him.
Beside the general rule of the road
that vehicles shall turn to the right
on meeting there are many other
rules governing the use of the roads
to which the law gives effect. Ordi-
narily lighter vehicle is bound to
avoid the heavier vehicle as far as
possible This does not relieve thp