Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-07-22
LAWS OF OREGON AS
APPLIED TO AUTOMOBILES

Compiled by
G. ]. HOWARD and q. R. BISHOP

horse vehicle is not vested in the auto
mobile. There are too few Of us, re-
gardless of our means of transit of
street and highway, who recognize that
our acts are governed by law, and that
we can, be we driver of machine or 9TH
er vehicle, be held strictly accountable
for any misdemeanor.
1t is to be hoped that the publication
of these laws will be beneficial to the
driver of the cart as well as the driver
of the auto; and that this effort to
get these road laws in the hands of the
public, will aid in creating a friendly
and considerate feeling in the minds of
every road traveller, regardless of his
means of transit.
1t is handed down to us that ignor
ance is no excuse for crime; and vio
lation of many of the sections of auto
mobile laws is closely akin to crime. Ac
cordingly, the good citizen who would
be safe-guarded in and by the law, who
aspires to the protection of his and the
lives of his loved ones and friends, il
urgently invited to read and make Q
study of the text.
Having read the law, we can no Ion
ger claim ignorance thereof. Removed
from the plea of ignorance, we are sure
ly better prepared to avoid careless
ness = for in that, what harm may
driving of an automobile, rides tn,
grinning skeleton of death, which
should it take tribute of your wife o.
child, and you escape with your life
| leaves you in the hot ashes of grief
within the grip of the long-sufferinl
but strong arm of the law, a begga
of the mercy of the court. viii you reat
| the lawf
Automobile Law of Oregon.
Automobile Defined-The word eau
tomobile" is compounded of othe
words taken from the Greek and Latil
| languages, and moderated in th
French language. "Auto' is taken from
| the Greek, and means self. Mobile ,
originates from the Latin mobilis, NOV
able, and comes to us from the French
The two Joined make the new word
automobile, +" resulting in the expires
sion of something movable, to which W
attach by implication the idea of We
hicle.
In the statutory law of Oregon, tn
phrase "motor vehicle" includes all We
hicles propelled by any power other tina
muscular power General Laws o
Oregon, 1911, page 265.)
| Law of the Road-The laws of tn
road everywhere in Oregon are as spe
Gifted in the following subdivisions:
/. Passing to the Right = Vehicle
proceeding in opposite directions shal
pass to the right, giving one-half Of tn
road to each.
2. Passing to the Left.-Vehicle
proceeding in the same direction over
| take each other by passing to the left
3. Speed of Overtaking Vehicles
The overtaking vehicle shall maintai
its speed until clear of the overtake
vehicle and for such distance thereafte
as shall prevent dust and mud THROWN
upon the overtaken vehicle.
4. Signals to Pass. = The signal $
comet
i With the man who is careless in tn
to pass shall be given by one blast o
stroke of the horn, bell, whistle, gon
or other signaling device.
Should the overtaken vehicle then no
give way, three such blasts or signal
shall be given, and ON failure to eompl
herewith the overtaken vehicle may a
the next suitable place safe to both VI
hieles 90 by without further signal.
1t shall be the duty of every ovel
taken vehicle to turn to the right an
give one-haf of the road to the ovei
taking vehicle.
5. Crossing Intersecting Roads,
Vehicles approaching an intersectin
road, street or highway shall be unde
control so as to permit the vehicle o
the right Of the vehicle approaching
first cross the intersecting street, roa
or highway.
| At all intersections the vehicle al
preaching the intersection from til
y right of any other vehicle approachin
the intersection shall have the right c
way.
All vehicles approaching an interse'
tion of street, road or highway wit
the intention of turning thereat shall, j
turning to the right, keep close to th
right, and in turning, to the left sha
run to and beyond the center of the il
terseetion.
6. Frightened Horses.-In all pas
ing and overtaking such assistance sha
be given by the occupants of each "
nicle respectively to the other as th