Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-04-07
Few Acts Passed
Pertaining to- Autos
by 81st Legislature

proposed legislation relative to mo-
tor vehicles received but slight atten-
ton at the hands of the S1st Legisla-
ture. and particularly those measures
which were referred to the judiciary
committees. Bills proposed by the
Maine Automobile Association and by
the State department all received the
same treatment. ought not to pass"
Right Of Way
Perhaps the most important motor
vehicle law passed was that establish
ing right of way for vehicles at in
terSecting ways. which is similar to
the law Of several other states. This
act. which is chapter of the public
laws of 1923. is as follows:
'All vehicles shall nave the right of
way over other vehicles approaching
any intersecting public ways from left
and shall give the right of way to
those approaching from the right, ex-
cept that traffic officers stationed at
such intersections may otherwise regu-
late traffic thereat."
Reckless Driving
A heavier penalty has been provid-
ed for the violation Of the law rela-
tive to reckless driving. Under the
old law the maximum fine was $50 for
the first offenSe. Under the law enact
ed by the S1st Legislature this max
imum fine for the first offense has been
increased to $500. and for the second
offense the minimum fine has been in
creased to 5000 and the maximum fine
to $500. with a Jail sentence discretion
airy with the court.
Heavy Vehicles
The maximum weight OF heavy
vehicles. under certain conditions, has
been increased from $4,000 pounds to
% mn dc al Of
o0,000-pound vehicle must be such that
there shall not be over 600 pounds to
an inch width of tire.
Fake Auto Officers
Section c5 of chapter 124 Of the re-
viSed statutes relative to fake officers
has been amended so as to include
highway police. Any person falsely
assuming to be a. State traffic officer
subjects himself to a maximum fine
of $500 or to Imprisonment for not
moro than one year.
Lights Of Fire Trucks
Motor vehicles used for fire fighting
purposes have been exempted from the
provisions relating to headlights This
act is chapter l4l of the public laws of
1923 and is as follows:
The provisions of this chapter, gov
erning the equipment or use Of front
lights on motor vehicles. shall not APP
ply to motor vehicles owned or con-
trolled by municipalities or village cor
porationS. and used for fire fighting
purposes"
No Neutral Zones for Trucks
Under law which has been in force
for some time motor vehicles owned
by residents of New Hampshire living
within Is miles of the border have
been allowed to come Is miles into
Maine upon the payment of a nominal
fee. The act of 1921 denied this priv
ilege to motor trucks and provided
that trucks owned by non-residents
| must be registered Immediately upon
crossing the border. A bill restoring
| this privilege to the owners of New
Hampshire trucks went through both
branches of the Legislature but struck
snag in the office of the Governor.
1t was vetoed and the veto was sus-
tanned.
No Relief for Non Residents
The Maine Automobile Association
made a determined effort to secure
some relief for non-residents as to
registration of motor vehicles The
Judiciary committee turned a deaf ear
to its plea, however. and this bill re-
ceived the report Ought not to pass"
One of the propositions of this asso-
lowed 80 days without registrati ton.
This proposition met with no favor at
all and was reported out unfavorably
The association succeeded in having
the bill recommitted to the committee
and suggested that the summer guest
be allowed 80 days gratis and an adj
ditional three months at half rate,
with the further provision that trucks
should be given five days without fee
This proposition met the same fate
as t first one. fought not to pass"
The law therefore remains just the
same as it was enacted in 1921. Under
the present law the nonresident
pleasure car is allowed 80 days with
out registration and at the expiration
of that period the owner must pay the
annual feet required of residents. The
commercial vehicle owned by a non
resident must be registered Immediate
ly upon crossing the border into this
State. A / ovision is made for five
days registration by nonresident
truck owners upon the payment of one
fourth the annual fee and for a 10
days registration upon the payment of
one.third of the annual fee.