Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1913-09-24
HOW TO OPERATE
YOUR AUTOMOBILE
Rules OF the Road That Should be
Learned by Every Person.
NEW IOWA LAW GOVERNING
THE OPERATION OF AUTOS.
Useful Information For the Gener-
al Public and Especially Driv-
ers Of Automobiles.

With the rapid increase in the
number of automobiles the hand
ling of the traffic, especially on busy
streets and busy days, is becoming
serious problem, not only in the
larger cities, but in the smaller pla-
ces as well. Scarcely a day passes
but a new car appears on the streets
in the hands of an inexperienced
driver, and there are many who
have driven cars for some time
that have not yet learned the or
dlnary rules of the road.
In Decorah we have been particu-
larly fortunate in the few accidents
that have occurred. An especial eff
fort has been made by the city Off
cials to teach the people how to
drive on our narrow, busy streets,
how to turn corners, etc. and an en-
deavor has been made also to get
pedestrians, drivers of horses, etc.
to recognize the fact that traffic
conditions in Decorah have been
entirely revolutionized during the
past two years. During the fair Of
f1cers were stationed on the busi-
est corners and much progress was
made in keeping the streets clear for
traffic. There is a noticeable differ
ence already, and people are unit
ing in the movement for sane driv-
ing and care ON all intersections.
People have yet to learn that the
street corners are the only proper
places to cross the streets, and then
not to ''cut across" but this will
come in time. Fast driving is not
nearly SO frequent as formerly, and
1t is only question of time until
people will adjust themselves to
the new conditions.
Nevertheless, there is so much
difference of opinion as to just
what the Iowa state law is on this
matter, that We take the space to
print below the new automobile
law, as passed by the recent legisla-
ture. 1t should be given careful
reading by everyone:
Be it enacted by the General AS
sembly of the State of Iowa: Sec
tion /. Care in meeting and passing
dulles and regulations. That sec.
tion nineteen (19D, chapter seven
ty-two T2), of the acts of the
thirty-fourth general assembly be
amended by adding thereto the fol
lowing rules and regulations fol-
the operation of motor vehicles up.
on public highways:
1.-The operator of a motor We.
hicle shall turn to the right when
meeting another vehicle and in ci
ties and towns shall at all times
travel on the right hand side of the
street, as near the curb as the con
dition of the street will permit.
1.-THE operator of motor We
hicle, when overtaking and pas
sing another vehicle, shall pass t
the left where the surface of the
ground will permit and shall not
drive to the right until clear o.
such vehicle.
III.-The operator of motor
vehicle shall, before stopping, turn
ing or changing the course of sucl
vehicle, first see that there is suff
cient space to make such move
ment in safety and shall give Wis
ible or audible signal to the eros
sing officer, if there be such, or t.
the drivers of vehicles following
of his intention to make sucl
movement, by raising the hanC
and indicating with it the direction
in which he wishes to turn.
IV.-The operator of moto
vehicle, in turning to the righ
from one street or highway int,
another, shall turn the corner a
near the right hand side as posi-
BILE; and, in turning to the lef
from one street or highway int,
another, shall pass TO the right o
and beyond the center before turn
ing.
V.-The operator Of motor We
hicle, in crossing from one side o
a street or highway to the othe
side thereof, shall turn to the left
so as to head in the direction Il
which vehicles are moving.
VI.-In cities of the first class,
shall be unlawful to stop a moto
vehicle unless the right side there