Court Opinion

ID: 9807390
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 20:02:48.864058+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:35:36.530497
License: Public Domain

Barnhill, J.,
dissenting: The conflicting and contradictory evidence in this case requires the application of more than one rule of the road as prescribed by our statutes.
1. If the facts are as the defendant’s testimony tends to show and the two cars approached the intersection at approximately the same time, the defendant, under the law, possessed the right of way, and it was the duty of Swinson to stop and permit the passage of defendant’s car before he *782entered, the intersection. This is true without regard to the speed of defendant’s car. Secs. 117-118, ch. 407, Public Laws 1937.
2. If, however, the Swinson car was in the intersection at the time the defendant approached, as the evidence of the plaintiffs tend to show, Swinson had the right of way although he failed to stop before entering the intersection, sec. 117 (b), ch. 407, Public Laws 1937, and it was the duty of defendant, in approaching the intersection occupied by plaintiff’s car, to immediately decrease his speed, bring his car under control and, if necessary, to stop in order to yield the right of way to the plaintiff and to avoid a collision. Sec. 103 (4-c), ch. 407, Public Laws 1937, and
3. If at the time Swinson approached and entered the intersection defendant’s automobile was a sufficient distance away, when operated at a reasonable and lawful rate of speed, to permit Swinson to cross in safety, Swinson, notwithstanding his prior violation of the law in entering the intersection without stopping, had the right to assume that the defendant would exercise due caution and approach at a reasonable rate of speed and yield the right of way.
On this phase of the case the court charged the jury as follows: (1) “His (defendant’s) right to rely on the assumption that a driver approaching the intersection on the servient road will observe the stop sign is forfeited when he approaches the intersection and attempts to traverse it at an unlawful or excessive rate of speed.” (2) “The right of a driver on the more favored road' — and, in this case, Gentlemen of the Jury, the more favored road would be Main Street — to assume that another car approaching on the servient road — and the servient road would be Sprague Street — will observe a stop sign, or laws, respecting the right of way, is conditioned on the behavior of the defendant, and the assumption can he made only when it will not be inconsistent with the paramount duty to exercise due care, incumbent on the person who would assert the right. Simply stated, Gentlemen of the Jury, the right to make the assumption, that is, to assume that the man will stop before entering— that is, the assumption that the defendant may make that the plaintiff, J. T. Swinson would stop his automobile before he went into Main Street is available to the defendant only in the event that E. E. Nance on this occasion was free from negligence. Simply stated, the Court charges you the right to make the assumption is available only to one who himself is free from negligence.” (3) “Now, in reference to that, the Court again charges you, Gentlemen of the Jury, that the defendant had the right to assume that J. T. Swinson would stop his automobile, provided that the defendant, E. E. Nance, was operating his automobile within the law, that is, free from negligence.”
At the same time it declined to charge the converse as prayed by the defendant as follows: (1) “The court charges the jury that in determin*783ing whether reasonable care was exercised by the defendant it must he remembered that the defendant haying the right of way on Main Street may take into consideration the duty of other drivers to obey the law and the probability that they will do so.” (2) “The driver of an automobile on a main or ‘through’ highway has a right to rely on stop signs at said intersecting highway and is not guilty of negligence in assuming that a vehicle on the intersecting street will regard the stop sign before entering the primary highway, and cannot be charged with negligence in acting upon such assumption.” (3) “As a matter of law, if the defendant Nance, at the time of said collision, or at the time he approached said intersection, was operating his car at a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour, said unlawful speed would not lose the right of way given to him pursuant to section 2621 (302), Consolidated Statutes of North Carolina. And (4) “The Swinson car being to the left of the defendant Nance’s car at said intersection, if the defendant Nance’s car did approach or enter said intersection at approximately the same time with the Swinson car, that it would be the duty of the driver of the Swinson ear to yield the right of way to the Nance car, notwithstanding the fact that the Nance car at said time was being operated in excess of 25 miles per hour.”
Is the right to assume that others will observe the law available only to one who is free from negligence ?
Does a motorist who is exceeding the speed limit thereby forfeit his right to assume that other motorists will observe stop signs and other traffic regulations at intersections?
Is his assumption that other motorists will observe stop signs before entering a primary highway evidence of negligence ?
Does a motorist, by driving at a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour forfeit his right of way at an intersecting highway?
Is it improper for a jury, in judging the conduct of a motorist, to consider the fact that he who has the right of way may take into consideration the duty of others to observe the law and the probability that they will do so ?
The court, in giving the charge quoted and in declining to instruct as requested, answered each of these questions in the affirmative. In my opinion these conclusions are erroneous and constitute harmful error.
A motorist is not under the duty of anticipating negligence on the part of others, but in the absence of anything which gives or should give notice to the contrary, a person is entitled to assume, and to act on the assumption, that others will exercise ordinary care for their own safety. 45 O. J., 705; Murray v. R. R., 218 N. C., 392, and cases cited; Coach Co. v. Lee. 218 N. C., 320.
*784A traveler upon a public highway has a right to assume, within reasonable limits, that others using it will exercise reasonable care and will obey traffic regulations, and the failure to anticipate the omission of such care does not render him negligent, until the contrary is brought to his attention. 4 Blashfield, Auto L. & P., 478; Mast v. Claxton, 107 Cal. App., 59, 209 Pac., 48; McCulley v. Anderson, 227 N. W., 321 (Neb.); Richard v. Neault, 135 Atl., 524; 3-4 Huddy on Automobiles (9d), pp. 228-63; 3-4 Huddy (9d), pp: 276-77; Babbitt on Motor Vehicles (4d), 439.
A motorist having the right of way “approaches a crossing expecting and entitled to expect that one approaching from the left will recognize his right, and his conduct is to be judged of in view of that circumstance.” Carlson v. Meusenberger, 204 N. W., 432. He is not required to anticipate negligence on the part of other highway travelers at crossings or intersections, but in the absence of any circumstance giving notice to the contrary, he has the right to assume and act on the assumption, that they will exorcise ordinary care, not only for their own safety but for the safety of others, whether such duty or care is imposed by common law or statute or ordinance. 3-4 Huddy (9d), pp. 228, 263. “The fact that one is entitled to the right of way in the intersection is a very material element in determining whether he has exercised the required degree of vigilance.” 3-4 Huddy (9d), pp. 276, 277.
Greater care to avoid a collision is imposed on the driver not having the right of way than upon the other. Thus, if the driver of a vehicle upon an intersecting highway reaches a main or arterial thoroughfare, it is his duty to look to the right and to the left; and if another vehicle is approaching the intersection on the main thoroughfare it is his duty, before entering the intersection, to wait until the approaching vehicle has passed, unless a prudent person would have reasonable grounds to believe that the approaching vehicle, proceeding at a lawful speed, is so far distant from the intersection that he could safely cross in advance. 3-4 Huddy (9d), 262.
“Ordinarily, the driver having the right of way at an intersection need not stop before proceeding to the intersection. He is not bound to anticipate that the other driver will fail to slow down. In fact, he may assume that the other driver will slow down or stop” and “the driver not having the right of way . . . has a special duty to stop.” Babbitt on Motor Vehicles (4d), 439. See also Rosenau v. Peterson, 179 N. W., 647 (Minn.).
Our automobile law at one time contained the provision that a motorist having the right of way forfeited it by traveling at an unlawful rate of speed. Sec. 18-a, ch. 148, Public Laws 1927. This provision has been repealed and the only limitations upon the right are those set forth in *785sec. 118, eb. 407, Public Laws 1937. Tbe statute under consideration in Morris v. Bloomgren, 187 N. E., 2, 89 A. L. R., 831, cited in tbe majority-opinion, contained a limitation on tbe right similar to tbat in tbe 1927 law. Hence tbat decision is not in point.
Tbe rule is designed to avoid those dangers tbat are inherent when two automobiles simultaneously approach an intersection by designating tbe one tbat should yield tbe right of way to tbe other and to prevent careless drivers from crashing highway intersections.
It is not invoked and has no application until and unless tbe two automobiles approach tbe intersection at approximately tbe same time, so tbat, unless one yield, a collision is likely to occur. Piner v. Richter, 202 N. C., 573. “It very clearly means tbat when a vehicle on each of these streets approaches their intersection, visible to each other, at such a time and under such a speed as would render their collision imminent, if one should not give way to tbe other, then tbe vehicle going north or south must, at its peril, be so conducted, circumstances permitting, as to allow tbe vehicle going east or west to pass in front.” Ray v. Brannon, 72 So., 16 (Ala.), (in tbat case tbe motorist going east or west bad tbe right of way).
To avail a defendant be is not required to show that be was free from negligence. As tbe rule applies only when two cars approach intersections at approximately tbe same time additional speed merely means tbat be will clear tbe intersection more quickly and leave it clear for tbe use of tbe other motorist.
It does not exist when there is another automobile already in tbe intersection when a motorist on tbe dominant road approaches. Nor does it apply when tbe motorist on tbe servient road approaches and attempts to cross tbe intersection at a time when a motorist on tbe dominant road is a sufficient distance away, when and if be is operating at a reasonable rate of speed, to permit tbe motorist on tbe servient road to cross in safety. Sebastian v. Motor Lines, 213 N. C., 770, 197 S. E., 539. In such case tbe motorist on tbe servient road has tbe right of way and may assume tbat tbe oncoming car on tbe dominant road will decrease its speed and permit him to pass in safety.
This right of way rule, which tbe plaintiff can claim if be was already in tbe intersection at tbe time defendant approached, and which tbe defendant can claim if tbe two cars approached tbe intersection at approximately tbe same time, is quite different from and is independent of tbe rule which requires a motorist, when approaching a crossing or intersection, to decrease bis speed to such extent as may be necessary, under tbe circumstances, to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering upon tbe highway, in compliance with legal requirements and tbe duty of all persons to use due care. Sec. 103 (4-c), cb. 407, Public Laws 1937.
*786When a motorist does not bave tbe right of way as he approaches the intersection, it is his duty, upon seeing another car approaching on an intersecting street and possessing the right of way, either under statutory provision, sec. 117, ch. 407, Public Laws 1937, or by reason of the fact that the other car is already in the intersection, to immediately decrease his speed, put his car under complete control and, if necessary, stop in order to yield the right of way to motorists entitled thereto. When, however, he possesses the right of way, he has the right to assume that the approaching motorist will observe the law, and his duty to take positive action to make it possible for him to stop his car before reaching the immediate zone of danger arises when it becomes apparent that the other party will, or is about to, disregard the law and enter the zone of danger in violation of the statute. Sec. 103 (4-c), eh. 407, Public Laws 1937.
This right is conferred by statute. It is subject only to the limitations provided by statute.
Non constat the right is not forfeited by a mere failure to strictly observe statutory regulations as to speed, a motorist may be required under some circumstances, in the exercise of proper care, to forego the right and yield it to another. The right does not relieve a motorist of the duty to exercise due care. When he has had time to realize, or by the exercise of proper care and watchfulness, should realize, that the other motorist is unaware of his presence, or does not intend to observe the law, or is in a somewhat helpless condition, or is apparently unable to avoid the approaching machine, he must exercise increased exertion to avoid a collision, and, if necessary, must forego his right of way. Guthrie v. Gocking, 214 N. C., 513, 199 S. E., 707, 2 R. C. L., 1185; Cory v. Cory, 205 N. C., 205, 170 S. E., 629; James v. Coach Co., 207 N. C., 742.
Hence, while the right of way is not absolute and is not sufficient, in and of itself, to absolve from blame, its presence or absence is a very material circumstance to be considered by the jury in deciding whether one’s conduct was that of a reasonably prudent man, or was or was not the proximate cause of the collision. Carlson v. Meusenberger, supra.
To say that the right of way is forfeited is to say that it no longer exists and must not he taken into consideration in judging the conduct of the parties. This is not in accord with the decisions.
The rules of the road are reciprocal. If the rule applied by the court below works one way, it operates both ways. Swinson admittedly drove into an intersection of a through street, against a stop sign, when his view was partially obstructed, without stopping. He looked to his right just as he entered the intersection. He then drove 30 feet without again looking to the right, from which direction the defendant was approach*787ing. At tbe time, according to bis testimony, there was no car sufficiently near the crossing to endanger him, provided such car was being operated at a reasonable rate of speed. Sans the right on his part to assume that any approaching car would observe the law and yield the right of way to him after he entered the intersection, his conduct constituted gross negligence and the cause, as to him, should have been nonsuited.
But this is not the law. If, as he states, he was in the intersection when defendant’s car approached, he had the right to assume, non constat his unlawful conduct, that the approaching car would slow down, and, if necessary, stop in order to permit him to pass in safety.
The purpose of the automobile law is to provide for every contingency or condition which creates or is likely to create danger to life or property. To adopt the view expressed in the charge of the court below, as approved in the majority opinion, would have the opposite effect. It would create a vacuum in the law which would produce confusion and uncertainty.
Defendant, if he approached the intersection at approximately the same time as did the plaintiff, driving in excess of the speed limit, forfeited the right of way accorded him by the statute. It did not pass to the plaintiff by inheritance. Even if it did, plaintiff in turn forfeited it by his conduct in driving into an intersection against a stop sign, without stopping. Thus, we have a situation where neither possessed the right of way and it was not the duty of either to slow up or stop to allow the other to pass in safety. Certainly the duty rests on either the one or the other to yield- — except in cases such as this. I cannot believe that sound reason dictates the exception.
A careful examination of the authorities cited in the majority opinion discloses that they sustain the right of a motorist to assume that others will obey the law. Most of them I have cited. While they hold that the right of way is relative — not absolute — no one of them contains any suggestion that a motorist can claim his right of way only when and if he is free of negligence. They do hold that the jury should consider as a material circumstance the presence of the right of way in determining whether the motorist on the dominant highway exercised reasonable care under all the circumstances.
It is only fair to the court below to say that it acted upon expressions contained in Groome v. Davis, 215 N. C., 510, 2 S. E., 771, which, on the facts in that case, are merely obiter. There the unlawful conduct of the plaintiff in driving across a stop sign onto the line of traffic of a vehicle on the main arterial road was negatived by proof that the defendant’s automobile was a sufficient distance away to permit him to pass in safety, provided the oncoming car was operated at a reasonable rate of speed. That ease was properly decided under the law as stated in the *788Sebastian case, supra. It was on tbat theory tbat I concurred in tbe opinion filed. Nonetheless tbe court applied these statements as tbe law of this case. Their correctness now becomes material.
In my opinion a new trial should be awarded.
Stacy, C. J., and WiNbokNE, J., concur in dissent.