Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-03
ME-. AUTO ASSN.
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(continued from Psse ons)
Of the Road" amending the present
laws and making additions thereto.
Mr.. MArshail went through the bill
as printed, section by section and It
contains 10i sections, after having a.
an introduction given a sketch of the
growth Of the motor vehicle and its
use for business and pleasure.
The first legislation was in 1909. re-
qutring q signal on autos. Resistra-
tIon and number plates were re-
auired in 1905. The first full fiedged
bill regulating the use and fees was
in 1911, followed in 1915 with addi-
tons regulating speed limit to %
miles, use OF tenders. reckless driv-
ing and suspensions by secretary Of
State. In 1917 and 1919. avs regard
ing motor trucks. mirrors lights. pro-
secutions, etc, were added. All this
resulted In patchwork" laws and
led last December to the Maine Au-
tQmobiIe Association appointing
committee OF Is TO investigate our
laws and those of other states with
a view OF revising and consolidating
our laws. The result is House Bill
No. f07.
In going through the various Sec
lions. Mr.. Marshall was questioned
frequently by the committee as to
certain meanings and where changes
might be advisable. He said in SUBJ
stance in explanation of the bill that
it was intended to procure efficiency,
Gv 1.~ ~
head and standdardize our laws to
work with laws OF other states; TO
give a more equitable rule of regis
tration, protect and improve the
highways. minimize damage to roads
and provide state police protection
and enforcement of the laws.
Section l gives the definition of the
various terms used throughout. Sec.
is the old law OF turning to the
right in passing.
Sec. is new. providing for the right
Of way in passing, without interfer-
ence. at intersections.
Sec. 4 strikes out the old provision
Of passing to left when a team is
stationary Or going slowly, in unsafe
orinconvenient places, making the
passing to the right.
Sec. is the old Law prohibiting
leaving a team (horse drawn to OBJ
struct the way or without a driver
Sec. 8 is new and obliges keeping
. to the right.
Sec. is the old law requiring
three bells on teams on the snow.
Amendment was suggested to to
number and position of bells.
Sec. prohibits passing at inter-
sections, from the rear, vehicles
keeping to right of the center line.
Maher of Augusta-Where is the
center line; as on State street, with
an electric tracks, II the center
of the highway or center Of the trav-
cied way?
Marshall--It means center of the
Travelled way.
Bee. provides that cities and
towns may make ordinances for
street crossings and safety zones for
pedestrians. and Sec. 10 provides
that pedestrians shall keep to the left
side of away.
Sec. IL prevents vehicles passing
car taking or discharging passen-
gers. stopping not less than 5 feet
away; but being allowed to pass in
q safety zone where he can clear the
car by feet. Some states prohibit
passing under any conditions.
Sec. IL Is the old law relative to
recovering damages for injuries,
with an addition limiting the time
Tor action to one year Mr. Marshall
admitted that the ime of Imitation
was short.
Sec. 10 prohibits leaving a team
carrying passengers without a per-
son in charge and no motor vehicle
without the brakes set and motor
stopped.
HinckIey Of South Portland 49,
Wouldn't that be impracticable with
the many trucks in the grocery de-
livery business? Yes.
Sec. ID limits vehicles to feet
over all and IL feet, inches tall in
passing over ways and bridges, with
out permit from the commissioner
Sec. Is prohibits throwing glass,
nails, wire, or other injurious things
ON any way, bridge or bathing
beach.
Hinckley--Can this Legislature
icgisiate for private property, such as
Old Orchard beach? 1t Is not a part
Of the highway system No.
Sec. 16 limits horse drawn vehi-
cIes to walk in crossing bridges and
autos to IL miles per hour.
Hinckley--1s it right to let a tour
ing car go at II miles and make a
horse walk? 1t is not reasonable
Giliin-A car at IL miles is not much
different in effect than mile for the
horse, is that the idea? Yes.
Sec. II il the old law regarding pen.
alties for violation OF Sec 49, Sec. IS IL
the old statute limiting the size OF
wheel rims in certain places
Mr.. Marshall said some of the roads
mentioned were now improved high.
ways.
Hinckey-Why leave it in? Why no,
revise. II we are revising?
Marshall-It would be well. The law
was last revised in 1866; part of 1t goes
back many years.
1Iinckley--why not have it apply te
the whole State?
Sec. 10, in regard to vehicles moving
over bridges or ways on wheels, shall
not cary weight in excess of weight,
prescribed by this act or contrary te
permits and adding that the commits
sioner Of motor vehicles may grant per,
tnits. 1t also prohibits use on wheels
Of fanges. ribs. clamps or any article