Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-12
NEW OFFICIAL
Continues from Page one)

srs' Association, local chambers of
commerce and others.
The administration of the present
laws come under four separate de-
partments, the secretary Of State,
Public Utilities Commission, attor-
ney general and the State Highway
Commission, making IL practically
impossible for utility of action. Nu-
nIerous situations we're unproyided
for and opportunities for escape by
offenders are numerous.
The Maine Automobile Association
has been at work on this bill for
year. All the State officials of this
and previous administrations have
been consulted. Governors Milliken
and Parkhurst gave literally Of time
In assisting, both highly endorsing
the work, and numerous national eZ-
perts on automobiles and their use
and highway legislation were con-
suited.
The bill as now presented is the
combined thought of all put in shape
by Chairman Marshall, an attorney
Of wide experience in drafting such
measures, every hour Of Mr.. Mar
shalPs time for the past six weeks
having been devoted to getting this
bill into shape to constitute one Of
the most sweeping revisions of State
law proposed in Maine for many
years.
II Is called IAN act in relation to
motor vehicles and the law of the
road and to revise and amend Csap-
ter &c Of the Revised Statutes and
acts amendatory thereto and addi-
tional thereto.
The bill calls for the creation of
the office of Commissioner of Motor
Vehicles under the State Highway
Department. All duties and powers
now vested in the secretary Of State,
the attorney general and the Public
Utilities Commission, pertaining to
motor vehicle traffic, are transferred
TO the commissioner. subject TO GER
tain rules and regulations prescribed
by the State Highway Commission.
The bin also amends and brings up
TO date in many particulars the law
OF the road and deals especially with
the operation Of motor trucks and
other heavy vehicles II aims to
allow the operation of such vehicles
under reasonable conditions and in
ouch manner as to avoid undue in
jury to highways and bridges. The
fees of motor vehicles are readjusted
In this bill so that for instance pas
senger vehicles are based on fixed
sum for horse power, added to a fixed
sum for gross weight. This is the
method now being employed in many
other states; in fact, the whole bill Is
based upon the best features of the
highway and automobile laws Of the
most progressive states in the Union.
Section has to do with the def
nitiong used in the bill while Section
Is. In substance. the present law
requiring vehicles when meeting to
turn to the right, etc.
Section 3 is very important one
and provides that all vehicles shall
rave the right of way over other We
hIcles approaching at intersecting
public ways from the left and shall
give the right Of way to those ap-
preaching from the right.
Slow moving vehicles shall keep to
the extreme right of the way to allow
more swiftly moving vehicles freer
passage to the left. Vehicles shall
keep to the right Of the intersection
Of center lines Of roads or streets
when turning to the right and pass
TO the right OF such intersections
when turning to the left.
Cities and towns may establish
street crossings as safety zones for
pedestrians and restrict the crossing
Of streets by pedestrians except
within the limits OF stcli crossing or
zones. Also. whenever pedestrians
use roads or streets for travel. they
shall keep reasonably near the left
hand side thereof.
Motor vehicles shall not be allowed
to stand or remain unattended with
out setting brakes and stopping mot
or.
The width OF load is restricted to
s feet over all and the height IL re-
stricted to IL feet, 6 inches.
Provision is made to prevent
throwing or leaving broken glass or