The Rule of the Road.

Manawatu Herald, 10 March 1894, Page 2

The Rule of the Road.

A case that crapped up in the Magistrate's Court on Thursday again points out the utter ignorance that prevails about the rule of the road, and that by men who assert : they have been accustomed to horses all their lives. We have now and again drawn attention to this want of knowledge, showing that some day the careless would learn by being made to suffer by process of law. Custom, which is part of the unwritten law of England makts it necessary when driving or riding upon the public road* to pass in a particular manner: If two vehicles or horsemen approach each other both must bear to the left ; if a vehicle overtakes another the lead ing one must draw towa>de the left and the hinder one must pass on .he right. This is a simple matter to lay to heart and no one should be permitted to drive a vehiclt who is not well aware of it, as the trring party is answerable for all damages. The case heard in the Court on Thursday is an instanoe, the defendant and his witatsi, a jockey, autrtiag that tkij wtre ea Ike

wrong side of the complainant, and the Stipendary Magistrate expressed his surprise that they were not aware that they were wrong. The question in this Colony does not rest upon English Custom as it is expressly provided for in "The Police Offences Act 1885 " clause 4 subsection 8, ordering " Who drives any vehicle whatever or rides any animal, and, when meeting- any other vehicle or animal, does not keep on the left or near side of the road or street, or, when passing any other vehicle or animal going in the name direction, does not go o'' pass, or does not allow any person desirous 80 to do to pass, when practicable, on the right or off side of such other vehicle or animal." We regret to say, from many instances coming under our notice that a number of men and lads are wholly unfamiliar with the fact that a non-observance of this clause renders them liable to a fine of £10. , I , I