Driving of Motor Vehicles — Glacier Drivers' Manual

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Department of the Interior

Regulations covering the driving of motor vehicles in National Parks

II. DRIVING OF MOTOR VEHICLES

1. As used in these regulations--

(a) The term "motor vehicle" means any vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, or semi-trailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used upon the highways in the transportation of passengers or property, and any combination of such vehicles, but does not include any vehicle, locomotive, or car operated exclusively on a rail or rails.

(b) The term "vehicle" means any vehicle or combination of vehicles of any type whatsoever operated upon the highways.

(d) Any other term used in these regulations is used in its commonly accepted meaning.

2. Nothing contained in these regulations shall be construed as prohibiting any National Park Operator from enforcing additional rules and regulations relating to safety of operation, not inconsistent with these regulations, tending to a greater degree of precaution against accidents.

3. Every National Park Operator and his or its officers, agents, employees, and representatives shall comply with the following regulations, and every such National Park Operator shall require that his or its officers, agents, employees, and representatives shall become conversant with these regulations.

4. No motor vehicle shall be driven recklessly, or so as to endanger life, limb, or property.

5. No motor vehicle shall be driven by any driver while his ability or alertness is so impaired through fatigue, illness, or any other cause as to make it unsafe for him to drive or to continue to drive a motor vehicle, nor shall he knowingly be permitted or required to drive while in such condition, except in case of grave emergency, where the hazard to passengers would be increased by observance of the foregoing provisions.

6. No driver shall go on duty while under the influence of, nor drink while on duty, any alcoholic liquor or beverage; nor shall he knowingly be permitted so to do.

7. No motor vehicle shall be driven at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to weather, traffic, intersections, width and character of the roadway, type of motor vehicle, and any other conditions then existing. The Superintendent of any National Park may prescribe (subject to approval by the Secretary of the Interior) detailed regulations governing speed limits in his particular Park.

8. No motor vehicle shall be driven unless the driver thereof shall have satisfied himself that the following required parts and accessories are in good working order: Lighting devices and reflectors; Brakes, both service and hand; Horn; Windshield wiper; Rear vision mirror; Tires; Steering mechanism; and Coupling devices.

9. No motor vehicle shall be driven unless the following required accessories are in place and ready for immediate use in case of emergency:

(a) On every motor vehicle-- At least one fire extinguisher; One red lantern, when projecting loads are carried; and One red cloth flag, when projecting loads are carried.

(b) On every motor vehicle operating outside the corporate limits of municipalities: All items listed under (a) above; At least one spare electric bulb for each kind of electric lighting device required by these regulations; One set of tire chains (for all vehicles likely to encounter conditions requiring them); At least three flares (pot torches) or red electric lanterns, and at least three fusees, unless motor vehicle is operated solely on lighted streets or in daylight hours; At least two red cloth flags with standards.

(c) On every bus having a seating capacity of ten or more persons, and operating outside the corporate limits of municipalities - All items listed under (a) and (b) above; One metal first-aid kit; One hand axe.

10. No motor vehicle shall be driven unless the driver thereof shall have satisfied himself that tarpaulins, chains (except ground or contact chains), ropes, stakes, poles, and the like, or any part of the load, are securely fastened to prevent dangling, flapping, swinging, or falling from side, end, or top of load.

11. No motor vehicle which is stopped, standing, or parked shall be set in motion until due caution has been taken to ascertain that the course is clear.

12. Every motor vehicle shall be driven as far to the right side of the traveled portion of the highway as is practicable.

13. Whenever conditions permit, sufficient space shall be maintained between vehicles proceeding in the same direction so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger. Motor vehicles proceeding in convoy shall maintain so far as possible, a distance of at least 300 feet between units of the convoy. This rule shall not be construed to prevent overtaking and passing another vehicle.

14. Every motor vehicle transporting passengers, and every motor vehicle transporting high explosives, or inflammable liquids, or corrosive liquids in bulk, or compressed or poisonous gases, shall, upon approaching any railroad grade crossing be brought to a full stop within fifty feet, but not less than ten feet from the nearest rail of such railroad grade crossing, and shall not proceed until due caution has been taken to ascertain that the course is clear. All other motor vehicles shall, upon approaching a railroad grade crossing, reduce speed to a rate from which a stop can be made before reaching the nearest rail of such crossing and shall proceed to cross only after due caution has been taken to ascertain that the course is clear. In all cases, crossing shall be made only in such gear that there will be no necessity for changing gears before crossing is completed. The regulations contained in this paragraph need not apply at a street car crossing within a business or residence district, nor at a railroad grade crossing where trains are required to stop and give right of way to vehicular traffic, nor at a railroad grade crossing protected by a watchman or traffic officer on duty or by a traffic control "STOP and GO" signal giving positive indication to approaching vehicles to proceed; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to relieve the driver of the responsibility of exercising due caution to ascertain that the course is clear before proceeding over such crossing.

15. Every motor vehicle transporting passengers shall, upon approaching any drawbridge, known or marked as such, be brought to a full stop not less than 50 feet from the lip of the draw, and shall not proceed unless the draw is closed. All other motor vehicles shall approach any drawbridge at such speed as to permit them to be stopped before reaching the lip of the draw and shall proceed only if the draw is closed. The regulations contained in this paragraph need not apply to any drawbridge protected by a watchman or traffic officer on duty or by a traffic control "STOP and GO" signal giving positive indication to approaching vehicles to proceed; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to relieve the driver of the responsibility of determining that the draw is closed.

16. Except in case of grave emergency, no motor vehicle shall be stopped, its speed suddenly decreased, nor its course or direction changed, unless the driver thereof shall have assured himself that such acts can be performed without endangering other users of the highway, nor without giving to them due warning of such intention.

17. Upon all highways a right turn shall be made from a position which is as close as practicable to the extreme right side of the traveled portion of the highway. Upon two-way highways a left turn shall be made from a position which is as close as practicable to the center of the traveled portion of the highway. Upon one-way highways a left turn shall be made from a position which is as close as practicable to the extreme left side of the traveled portion of such one-way highways. In all cases turns shall be made with due caution, having due regard to the length of the motor vehicle and any load thereon, the width of the roadway, and other traffic. Before making any turn, the motor vehicle shall be driven into the proper lane well in advance of the intersection and due warning given to other users of the highway.

18. No motor vehicle shall be driven past a vehicle or vehicles proceeding in the same direction where there is not ample visible space ahead to do so without endangering any other user of the highway and unless, if necessary, an audible signal of intention to pass has been sounded; and after passing, the motor vehicle shall not be returned to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle or vehicles.

19. The speed of a motor vehicle shall not be increased to prevent being overtaken by another vehicle attempting to pass.

20. No motor vehicle shall be driven upon a down grade with gears in neutral or clutch disengaged.

21. No motor vehicle shall be stopped, parked, or left standing, whether attended or unattended, upon the traveled portion of any highway outside of a business or residence district, when it is practicable to stop, park, or leave the motor vehicle off such part of such highway. When conditions make it impracticable to move the motor vehicle from the traveled portion of the highway, there shall be left the maximum possible width of the highway opposite such standing motor vehicle for the free passage of other vehicles, and a clear view of such stopped motor vehicle for the maximum possible distance to the front and rear. Nothing in this regulation shall be construed to prevent a Superintendent of any National Park from authorizing sightseeing stops along the side of the traveled portion of a highway where such stops can be made with safety.

22. (a) Whenever any motor vehicle is disabled upon the traveled portion of any highway, or shoulder next thereto, outside the corporate limits of municipalities, and is unable to move therefrom, during the time that lights are required a lighted fusee shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of the motor vehicle; as soon thereafter as possible and in any case within the burning period of the fusee, three lighted flares (pot torches) or red electric lanterns shall be placed on the roadway as follows: One in the center of the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled motor vehicle and not less than 40 paces (100 feet approximately) distant therefrom in the direction of traffic approaching in that lane, one not less than 40 paces (100 feet approximately) from such vehicle in the opposite direction, and one at the traffic side of such vehicle not closer than ten feet from the front or rear thereof; provided, however, that if the motor vehicle is disabled within 300 feet of a curve, crest of a hill, or other obstruction to view, the placing of the flare in the direction of the obstruction should be 120 paces (300 feet approximately) from the disabled vehicle.

(b) For every motor vehicle transporting explosives or inflammable liquids or gases, red electric lanterns shall be used as warning signals in the manner prescribed in paragraph (a) above.

(c) During such time as lights are not required, red flags shall be used in place of flares or electric lanterns as specified in paragraph (a) above, except that no flag need be placed at the side of the vehicle.

23. No motor vehicle shall be left unattended until after the parking (hand) brake has been securely set and all other reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent its movement while unattended.

24. Any motor vehicle when meeting or overtaking any school bus or other bus discharging or taking on passengers shall proceed with extreme caution and only if the course ahead is known to be clear.

25. On every motor vehicle operated upon the highways, all lamps required by the regulations of the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior shall display lights at any time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead, except as provided in paragraph 29, and except that within the confines of municipalities where there is sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles upon the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead, clearance and side marker lights need not be displayed; provided, however, that while any motor vehicle is stopped upon the highway, the head lights shall be dimmed or depressed.

26. When a motor vehicle is equipped with more than four lamps of the character of head lamps, auxiliary lamps, or spot lamps, not more than four such lamps shall be lighted at any one time.

27. Whenever the road-lighting equipment on a motor vehicle is so arranged that the driver may select at will between two or more distributions of light from head lamps or auxiliary road-lighting lamps or combinations thereof, directed to different elevations, the following requirements shall apply while driving during the times when lights are required:

(a) When there is no oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, the driver shall use an upper distribution of light; provided, however, that a lower distribution of light may be used when fog, dust, or other atmospheric conditions make it desirable for reasons of safety, and when within the confines of municipalities where there is sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead, and when following another vehicle within 500 feet.

(b) When within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, the driver shall use a distribution of light so aimed that the glaring rays therefrom are not directed into the eyes of the oncoming driver.

28. At no time while driving during the times when lights are required shall any distribution of light be used which will not reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead under normal atmospheric conditions provided, however, that dimmed headlights may be used in fog when they tend to promote safety.

29. Whenever motor vehicles are operated in combination during the time that lights are required, any lamps except tail lamps which, by reason of their location on a motor vehicle of the combination, would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination need not be lighted; provided however, that nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to relieve the requirement of displaying lighted clearance lamps on the front of the foremost motor vehicle required to have such clearance lamps, nor of displaying all lights required on the rear of the rearmost motor vehicle of any combination of motor vehicles.

30. In using a spot light, upon approaching another vehicle, it shall be so aimed that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam therefrom is directed beyond the left side of the motor vehicle upon which the spot lamp is mounted, nor more than 100 feet ahead of such motor vehicle.

31. Extreme caution in the operation of motor vehicles shall be exercised under hazardous conditions, such as snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, smoke, or any other condition which adversely affects visibility or traction. When such conditions are encountered, speed shall be reduced to, and maintained at, the point where the vehicle is safely in control, especially at curves and turns.

32. The driver of any motor vehicle involved in an accident causing death, personal injury, or property damage, shall forthwith stop at the scene of the accident and remain there until he shall have (a) rendered all possible assistance to injured persons, including the making of arrangements for first-aid medical treatment, if such treatment appears necessary or is requested; and (b) given to any person in interest demanding the same his name and address, the name and address of his employer, if any, and his vehicle registration number. He shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent further accidents at the scene. As soon as possible after the accident the driver shall report all details of the accident to his employer or supervisory official.

33. No motor vehicle shall be fueled or be permitted to be fueled with engine running, or in the presence of any open flame. Care should be exercised to prevent the ignition of fuel by lighted cigars, cigarets, pipes, or other sources of ignition. The nozzle of the fuel hose shall be in contact with the intake of the fuel tank throughout the fueling process. No passenger-carrying motor vehicle shall be fueled in a closed building with passengers aboard. No reserve supply of gasoline shall be carried on any motor vehicle except in the main fuel tank or in a properly constructed and mounted auxiliary tank.

34. No motor vehicle shall be so loaded as to obscure the driver's view ahead or to either side, or to interfere with the free movement of his arms or legs, or to prevent his free and ready access to the accessories required for emergencies.

35. During the time when lights are required to be displayed, there shall be attached to the rearmost extremity of any load which projects four feet or more beyond the rear of the body of the motor vehicle, or to any tailboard or tailgate so projecting, or to the rearmost extremity of any load carried on a pole trailer, at least one red lantern securely fastened thereto, and visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the sides and rear under normal atmospheric conditions. At all other times a red cloth flag, attached in a similar manner, shall be displayed.

36. No motor vehicle shall be operated with the tailboard or tailgate in such position as to obscure any of the required rear lights or reflectors.