The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-08-18
New Road Regulations
State Highway Commission Pre-
pareS to Act

Columbia, S. c., August 17-Prep-
arations for the PRONUNCIATION OF regu-
latiOns governing vehicles on the high
ways of IL state are now being taken
by the state highway commission i'm
accordance with Section of the gen
cral act creating the department by
the general assembly Of 1920. Charles
Ill. Moorclield, state engineer, yester-
day sent out letters to number of
persons likely ito be interested In the
framing OF the regulations. such as au-
tomoble associations, chambers of
commerce, etc.
The law provides that the state CONF
mission shall regulate traffic on the
roads i'm South Carolina and the steps
now being taken are to get the views
of persons and organizations Interested
before any rules are made by tie COM
mission. ID will likely be several
months before the regulations are fl
nally completed. The rules to be
framed will govern the weight of loads
size of trucks and wagons, width Of
tires and and other necessary provi-
siCns to protect the highways.
The old highway commission recon-
of such rules and regulations that
would protect the roads, but no ac-
zion was taken. The new act makes
provision for the commission to amply
regulate traffic over the roads. In
speaking OF the new regulations to be
made up, Mr.. Moorefield said yester-
day that all persons interested would
be invited to give their opinions on
the matter. and appear before the
commission IL they so desired I'VE
do not' want to work hardships on
any class of vehicle owners, but the
roads must be protected and we in
tend to do justice to every one" Mr..
Mooreheld said Section 8 of the act
lof 1920 creating the state highway
commission says:
! 1T shall be unlawful for any per-
son to wilfully obstruct bitches and
drainage openings along said roads, to
place obstructions upon said roads. to
throw or to place on said roads any
| objects likely to cut or otherwise in
jure vehicles using same. 1t shall also
be unlawful for any person, firm or
corporation to, cut trenches. lay pipes
or tracks through, under, over or on
said highways or bridges without first
obtaining a permit from the state
!, highway engineer; or to transport over
such highways and bridges loads ex-
4 ceeding specified tonnage or weight
per square inch of bearing surface i'm
exces OF that prescribed in the regu-
lations laid down by said highway
commission: or TO run or operate any
farm tractor or traction engine with
wheels lugs or cleats on said highway
| without first removing said lugs or
cIef's, or prov ding filters for same
so shat no i,iuIy will be done to road
surface, or e operate over said high
WAYS or bridges any motor yehicl- tie
maximum W'GtlI Of which or C. the
load ii carries exceeds seven and one
half feet, or to operate motor vehicles
with chains upon or around the
wheels contrary to such regulations
for the use of chains which may be
adopted and promulgated by the state
highway commission.
ut shall also be unlawful to- oper,
ate upon any OF the public highways
OF this state any two wheeled tim
Der carts with tongues or small wheel
attached thereto which comes i'm con
tact with the road and it shall also
be unlawful to OPERATE any vehicle
over said roads for the purpose of car.
u rying timber or other loads by which
timber or any other character Of load
is allowed TO strike or drag on the
surface of the road: Provided further
That this prOviso shall not apply to
four wheeled lumber carts where the
load is so suspended as not to come
i'm contact with the road. Any vio-
l0tion OF the provisions of this sec
ton shall be deemed a misdemeanor
and punished by the fine or imprison
ment prescribed in Section Is hereof"