Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-07-06
Some New Road Laws.

To the Maine Automobile Association
IL to be given the credit for compiling
digest Of the laws passed by the last leg,
isla,ure, which went into effect on The
Sd of July, relative to the running OF au'
tomobiles and the maintenance of roads.
Few will probably take the trouble to
read the full text of the laws, which
have already been issued in supplements
to the papers OF the state, and the digest
Is useful in calling attention to the Chief
features of the laws. A few OF these
features will be noted.
With regard TO the speed of automo
biles, the law fixes limit of twenty five
miles an hour in the open country, and
fifteen miles in the built.up portions OF
towns. Towns must erect signs show
ing where the built-up portions begin
and displaying the words, "Speed limit,
fifteen miles" But this does not make
a speed of fifteen miles an hour legal
under all conditions, for il is pro
vided that speed must at all times be rea
sopable and safe, and at blind corners
and other places where the view is OBJ
structed, speed of more than eight
miles is prima facie evidence Of unrea
sonsble speed.
Persons charged with violating The
speed regulations are entitled to imme
date trial il they demand II, unless they
are under the influence of liquor, and i
is made the duty Of every officer and
every citizen to report any person driv
ing in a reckless manner or while appar
emily under the iUflueuce of liquor, L
the secretary of state, who has power &c
revoke his license and the registration o
the vehicle.
OF the laws affecting roads, perhaps
the most important is that requiring the
employment of a patrolman. In ever,
town that has any state or state aiC
roads the municipal officers aud III,
state highway commission shall desig
nate a certain sum Of miles of unim
proved road in addition to the state o
state aid roads already constructed, ant
provide for their constant maintenance
by the employment of patrolmal
who shall devote his whole time L
the work. The amount of state o
state aid roads constructed Is IL
most towns not enough TO employ TIL
whole time of patrolman, therefor
this provision for the addition of a Ger
tain number of miles of unimproveC
road. The special object of this law i
to demonstrate 10 the towns what i'm
provement can De had by constant anC
systematic work without increasing til
expense.
One chapter provides that il price
charged by private owners are consider
cd unreasonable. land or material need
ed to change the location or alignment
or to construct or maintain a road, ma
be taken by eminent domain.
Five per cent Of the highway appropri
alton of each town is to be applied &
the removal from the limits of the high
way of all useless trees, shrubs, bushe
and weeds, until all are removed, and al
ter that time the owner of the adjoining
land is required to keep the roadsid
clear, or the work may be done by tn
town and the cost added to the abu'
ter's tax.
A fue of $40 to $50 is fixed to be pail
by towns which fail to maintain guild
posts at crossings of highways.
A bridge act was also passed by til
legislature, subject to a referendum
which will be voted upon by the peopl
at the state election in 1915. Ii pro
vides for the construction of uecessar
new large bridges at cost spportione
among the town, the county aud th
state.