Motorcar Regulations

Regulating Speed and Operation of Automobiles

From the Oskaloosa Independent, May 6, 1910

The Legislature of 1903 passed a law regulating the speed, operation and equipment of automobiles, but the law is not generally observed. Some persons drive their cars as suits their pleasure or convenience, with little regard for the rights of others. The greatest danger from reckless driving is to small children who wander out into the streets, and are unable to appreciate the danger.

The law provides that every automobile shall be equipped with bell or horn and lights, and that these lights burn from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise. No automobile shall be run at a speed exceeding 20 miles per hour outside the limits of the thickly settled or business part of any city or town, and not exceeding 10 miles per hour within the thickly settled or business part of any city or town. In meeting or passing teams, if they should appear frightened, the driver shall reduce the speed, and if signaled by the driver of the team, proceed no farther, but remain stationary as long as necessary to allow the team to pass. Upon approaching crossings the driver of the automobile shall run at a rate of speed less than that specified and not greater than is reasonable, having regard to the traffic and use of the intersecting ways.

Cities have power to regulate and control speed and use of automobiles by ordinance.

Persons violating this law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not exceeding $100.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 1983.

Signal Code

From the Nortonville News, September 10, 1915

A “sane signal code” has been adopted by a number of automobile clubs in the East and already the attention of Kansas motorists has been directed toward it. The code, motorists believe, will revolutionize traffic. The code provides one blast of a motor horn or signal by the motorists for “straight ahead,” two for a stop, three for a turn to the right and four for a turn to the left. The plan is designated to become general thru-out the country so motorists away from home may not be annoyed by unfamiliar traffic signals and regulations. All police, pedestrians and motorists would then understand the simple code.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 2007.

Probate Court Item

From the Valley Falls New Era, June 15, 1916 (copied by Jeff Laird)

City Marshall Sturgeon of Oskaloosa, made quite an array of arrests last Monday evening. All told five parties, including one young lady, were arrested for running their cars without tail lights. Tuesday morning they appeared before police judge Leach, assessed a fine of $1 each, with no costs. This being their first offense he was somewhat lenient with them. The people are beginning to realize that Mr. Sturgeon means to enforce the city ordinance governing the running of cars within the city limits and those who have been of a different opinion had better change their minds mighty quick.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October