Historic Athens: Rules of the Road - 1923 (2024)

Recently I got a newish car and since my old version was over 20 years old I’ve had to learn 20 years of new automobile technology. Of course a lot of this makes for a better driving experience, but what hasn’t changed is how I still have to drive safely and abide by the traffic laws.

Traffic laws were also important in 1923, as evidenced by the announcement by city officials in the January 4, 1923 Athens Weekly Review that starting January 8 there would be a new "strict enforcement of the traffic law in all its phases.”

Enforcing traffic laws is certainly nothing new of course but in this case what was interesting was how cars and traffic procedures are somewhat different than today.

Today of course we have license plates and inspection stickers, and it seemed to be similar in 1923. The ordinance read: “The law requires that all motor vehicles must be registered and the numbers placed and seal displayed on the front of the vehicle..."

So how about warning devises on your car – like a horn? Same in 1923, but there were a few differences. According to the ordinance: Article 8:20b "...every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a bell, gong or whistle with sufficient volume to give warning of the approach of such motor vehicle and that the driver of motor vehicle shall sound said bell, gong or whistle or horn whenever necessary to give warning but at no other time."

Let’s look at something else. Article 820D prohibited cars using "glaring lights." Also, section 820G prohibited the operation of a motor vehicle with "a muffler cut-out open."

The next provision seemed to imply that drivers in 1923 weren’t totally familiar with highway procedures. We’re at Section 820K now and under “The Law of the Road" it discussed passing cars. It provided "…that two vehicles which are passing each other in the opposite direction shall have the right of way and no other vehicle to the rear of either of such vehicles shall pass or attempt to pass two vehicles.” Also, “…Vehicles overtaking other vehicles proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof. It is the duty of the driver, rider or operator of the vehicle about to be overtaken and passed to give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on suitable and audible signals.”

And what if you had to leave your car on the street? That was covered, too … in Article 820J and though it wasn’t encouraged, if you had to then it was allowed, “… provided that no motor vehicle shall be left standing in the public streets or right-of-way unattended without first setting the breaks [sic] and stopping the motor."

How about hiring a driver? Yeah – you got it – that was covered – in Article 820I. It said, “No one shall employ for [sic] hire as a chauffeur of a motor vehicle any person not licensed as a chauffeur." (Apparently that implied that professional chauffeurs had to be licensed?)

So how fast could you go? Yep, speeding was an issue even in 1923 – but somehow their idea of appropriate speeds wouldn’t work today. According to Article 820 O “…no motor vehicle shall be driven at a greater speed than 25 miles per hour." And there was more – a motor vehicle was to be "driven at the rate of 18 miles in the built-up or town." Also it was unlawful to drive faster than 15 MPH in the "business district of any town or incorporated city of less than 4,000 population."

Another provision would definitely not work on today’s Interstates since Article 820Q stated that "motor vehicles in passing each other on the highways shall slow down their speed to 15 MPH."

But by listing these specific provisions, did that imply they might go easy on others? Don’t bet on it! They had an answer: "In calling attention to the public to the above provisions of the law we in no wise mean to say that we do not intend to enforce all the provisions regulating the operation of motor vehicles, but only call attention to these provisions because they are more often violated."

So what about lax car registration? That was covered with a word of advice. The notice stated: "We especially call attention to all of those who have not registered their automobiles, that they had better secure their license and have them on cars on or by the eighth day of January, otherwise, if you are arrested for violating this provision, do not complain."

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