Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-27

Beginning with the new year, many important changes in the automobile laws in Rhode Is nd will be in eff feet, which will il Jude a clause that has been operative in other states for years: That no person operating motor vehicle shall pass a trolley car on the side open to receive or dis charge passengers while car is stand ing still for that purpose. Another change is that each motor vehicle must display two white lights in front and one red and white light in the rear from half an hour after sun- set to half an hour before sunrise, while at present the time is one hour. That no person under 16 shall operate a car; that registrations shah be good for only one calendar year. and that every operator involved in an accident in which any person is injured shall report same forthwith to the state board of public roads. Under the new law the board will have unlimited powers in the regulation of motor ve- hicle traffic, and its acts are subject to review only by the superior and su- preme courts.
 The board is authorized to appoint persons as investigators and examin- CTS, to define their duties and fix their compensation.s These officers will have the powers of consta bles, except serv- ing civil process, and may make an arrest without warrant, without giv- ing surety for costs, or becoming liable for costs under any complaint.
 Under the new law the life of the registration of a car will become uni- form, although this will not be fully accomplished until Jan. 1, 1918. All licenses issued during the current year remain in force until the date of their expiration, unless revoked or cancelled. All registrations issued next year will terminate Dec, 31, 1917. Vehicles reg icfn hnf mil i rx-iII hn f11lJ fee, but after that the fee will be on a pro rata basis
 The board has absolute authority as to the kind and character of motor vehicle it may allow a person to op- crate. There must be one number plate on the front and one on the rear of each automobile in a horizontal posi- tion, and the plates must not be less tEan AS inches from the ground. The law does not require motorcycles to have number plates until Jan. 1, 1918.
 The new law provides that every motor vehicle of more than 10 horse power shall be provided with at least two powerful brakes, wholly indepen- dent of each other, each of which shall be sufficient to stop the vehicle within g. proper distance.
 With reference to Illuminating the rear number plate, the new law re- -ouires that the light shall be so ar ranged that the white light shall il- illuminate the number plate so that it will be plainly visible for distance of 50 feet.
 Every driver who knowingly figures in an accident is required to give to any proper officer or person interested demanding the same the names and ad- dresses of every occupant of the car. At present the law only requires the operator to give the names of the male occupants.
 Every court in the state is required to keep a full record of every case in which a person is charged with a vio- lation of the automobile laws, and each court shall, within 10 days of the dis position of such cases, transmit an ab- stract of the case to the state board of public roads,