| As quickly as the horseless carriage
started appearing on the streets of St. Louis, laws were passed
to control the “crazy” drivers operating these vehicles.
In 1903 the speed limit in St. Louis was nine miles per hour and
drivers had to give the right of way to any horse-drawn carriages.
In addition, in the hopes of reducing the scare to horses, law
stated that drivers had to make their presence known by the use
of a bell or whistle. In 1907 the speed limit was raised from
9 to 15 miles per hour.
Even though drivers were going slowly by today’s standards,
accidents were still common. To avoid accidents, new laws and
regulations were passed. The St. Louis Street Traffic Parking
Ordinances Guide of 1916 stated that drivers should use extended
hand gestures to signal when making a turn or stopping. Drivers
should also slow to half speed at intersections and sound signals.
In case of an accident, drivers were required to stop and exchange
information, much like today.
|
Four men seated in a 1904 Rambler stopped beside a mounted policeman, ca. 1904.
A 1905 Pierce Arrow demonstrating the dangers of exceeding the eight mph speed limit, ca. 1905.
 Training course to teach horses to travel on roads with automobiles, 1907.
Car stopped in front of a sign declaring the speed limit as one mile in seven minutes, n.d.
County of St. Louis, state of Missouri annual license tax issued to Max Hellman for license #59, 1903.
Rules and Regulations Governing Street Traffic, City of St. Louis, ca. 1912. |
