The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-08-26
AUTO Speed LIMIT
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CITY
COMMISSIONERS OF
MADISON.

With the result of a terrible auto
mobile accident in the minds of the
people, is ii not time for the citizens
and officials of our city to take some
action in making and enforcing some
automobile ordinances for the pro
lection of the public, including auto
mobilists?
While we have some ordinances
governing the driving of cars. every
auto driver knows that these have
never been enforced and naturally
most drivers have come to be care
less of their own safety as well as of
the safety of others.
Since cars have become so numer-
III il has been dangerous to allow
any child to cross the streets in the
residence part of our city. for a
twenty or thirty mile pace is not UNI
usual for some drivers. When q car
has attained such a speed il would
be almost impossible to stop i'm time
should a child happen to be on the
street. 1t is true that children
is necessary for them TO cross and ii
is a wonder that some child has not
been sacrificed long ago.
Only a few evenings ago two ears
were seen racing at a speed of no less
than thirty miles an hour right on
Upper Egan avenue If drivers are
SO reckless within the limits of the
city they are even more so on coun-
try roads.
Because auto drivers run livery
cars to meet the train at Wentworth
is no reason that as soon as they cross
the Maple street bridge they should
be allowed to race along the street
at a mad pace, e~ndangering the lives
of pedestrians as well as other driv-
ers whom they may meet.
Right in the buiness section Of our
city every day auto drivers narrowly
escape accidents by others driving
right across the street in place of go
ing out into the street and turning
squarely around. keeping always to
the right. AS a remedy for this
danger the writer would suggest a
plan adopted by many surrounding
towns. A post is placed in the center
of the square and upon it Is nailed a
th~ree-cornered sign with the words,
Keep to the right" plainly printed
on each side so that II may be read
from each street. In many towns
smaller than Madison this rule has
been strictly enforced and has been
found to greatly protect the public.
IF a few good automobile ordi-
nances were strongly enforced in our
citv fhav HvnuId mt Only nrptpct rs
but have a tendency to make all
drivers more cautious at all times,
whether in the country or town.
1t might cost the city a small sum
for a time to enforce protection, but
it would be a source of comfort TO
the walking and riding public, and
would let people from the outside
know hat Madison was a we'll gov
erned and comfortable city in which
TO reside.
Almost all cities the size Of ours
have sacrificed some life or manned
some person to learn that automobile
drivers must be governed by law and
tourists driving into any up to date
and well regulated town are remind
ed by a plain sign that muffiers must
be closed, a ten or twelve mile speed
must be attained, ears must keep to
the right and all under a penalty OF
a fine.
Let's all get together for a safety
first movement for protection Of our
selves, our fellow drivers and the
public in general.
An Auto Driver and Taxpayer