The Washington times., 1929-03-20

the basic speed law the proposi.
ton that operators of vehicles shall
at all times drive at a careful
and prudent speed, not greater than
is reasonable and proper, having
due regard for the traffic, surface
and with of the highway and of
any other conditions then existing.
In further emphasis the section
declares that no person shall drive
any vehicle at such a speed as
to endanger life, limb or property.
AS a guide to the judgment of
both operators and enforcement
officers and courts, the section sets
forth prima facie limits graduated
from Is to 35 miles an hour, the
latter applicable in open territory.
Higher speeds are permitted tut
the burden is placed upon the
driver in such case to show that
conditions warranted it.
On Grade Crossing.
Section five requires any driver
approaching an interurban or steam
railway grade crossing to bring his
vehicle to complete stop before
traVersing the crossing IL clearly
visible and positive signal Is at the
time giving warning of the imme-
date approach of a train or car.
The section also authorizes the
proper authorities to designate. par
ticnlarly dangerous crossings at
which vehicles must come to a com.
plets stop at all times.
Speed limits according to weight
and tire equipment are left to the
sdiseEetion of the States as also fsT
speed limitation on bridges, Drivers
of police, fire and hospital vehicles
are exempt from speed restrictions
without, however, authorizing them
to throw aside restraint and endanger
| others unnecessarily.
Specific rules for driving on the
right side of the highway, keeping
to the right at crossings, giving
Eoncoming vehicles at least one h alf
OF the Travelled portion of the road
way if possible, and for overtakirg
and passing are laid down in sep
arate sections. Full responsibility
is imposed on the operator of the
overtaking vehicle to do this oaly
when it can be done with complete
safety to all concerned. The opera
tor Overtaken. however. must co.
operate in giving the oyertaker
reasonable opportunity. Following
SO closely as to risk danger of col
lision is also forbidden.
Turn to the Left
In the absence of markers to the
contrary, section II requires opera.
tors intending to turn to the right
at an intersection to approach II in
the traffic lane nearest the right
hand side of the highway. Sim.
ilarly those intending to turn TO
the left must approach the inter.
section in the lane nearest the
center line of the highway and
shall Furthermore pass to the right
OF the center of the intersection.
The act authorizes a single arm
extension signal to indicate that the
operator is about to change his
course, whether he intends to start.
stop or turn In either direction.
On the much debated subject Of
right of way the act says:
The operator of a vehicle ap
proach1ng an intersection shall yield
the right of way to a vehicle which
has entered the intersection. When
TWO vehicles enter an intersection
at the same time, the operator of
the vehicle on the left shall WELD
the right of way.
:Ihe operator of a vehicle within
an intersection intending to turn
TO the left across the path of anv
vehicle approaching from the or.
poslte direction may make such
iett turn only after a signal as re.
quired by law, and after affordinp
reasonable opportunity to the
operator Of such other vehicle to
avoid a collision"
An important feature of the right
Of way rule is that it requires the
one party to yield the right of way
but does not authorize the other
to make it,. This wording places
upon each operator the responsi.
biltty of avoiding collision If DOS.
sible.
POliced Crossings
Section 10 also contains a general
provision defining the respective
rights of motorists and pedestrians.
Except at policed or signaled inter
sections. the pedestrian shall have
the right of way on cross.walks
but shall yield the right of way
to vehicles at all other points in
the roadways in built up sections.
Driving through safety zones is
prohibited at all times and drivers
must draw out of the way OF ap-
preaching fire apparatus. Through
highways protected by stop signs
are legalzed by the act and ~igid
rules are laid down for passing
street cars. Section "a requires
that brakes must be effectively set
and motors stopped on standing We
hicles. Safe driving on mountain
highways is defined and Goa sting
with gears in neutral forbidden.
Rules for stopnins in event Of acct 4
dent and reporting details are spe-