In the spring of 1917, as automobiles began to replace horses and buggies on the dusty streets of rural southeastern Colorado, communities found themselves navigating a brand-new challenge: how to safely share the road. In Cheyenne Wells, town leaders responded by publishing a formal set of “Rules and Regulations for the Driving of Automobiles and Other Vehicles” in the local newspaper. Recently rediscovered and shared on Facebook by Debbie Roth Knutsen, the notice offers a fascinating snapshot of a moment when gas-powered cars were still novel, occasionally unruly, and worthy of close public instruction.
For residents who had grown up with teams of horses and the predictable pace of wagons, the automobile represented both progress and disruption. Early cars were noisy, fast by the standards of the day, and operated without uniform rules across towns or counties. Cheyenne Wells’ 1917 regulations reflect a careful attempt to bring order to this transition—setting speed limits, defining right-of-way, and even prescribing hand signals and nighttime lighting etiquette. More than a century later, as we stand on the edge of another transportation shift—toward electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and technology-driven roads—the parallels are striking. Just as our great-grandparents adjusted to gasoline engines and motorized traffic, today’s communities are preparing for self-driving cars and changes that may again redefine how we move across the High Plains.
Below is the full text of the original 1917 notice, reproduced as it appeared in the Cheyenne Wells newspaper and preserved for our “Long Time Gone” readers.
Rules and Regulations for the Driving of Automobiles and other Vehicles within the Corporate Limits of the Town of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado
Adopted by the Town Council of said Town upon June 4th, 1917.
Speed Limit Fifteen (15) Miles Per Hour.
You must have an up-to-date license and number for your car.
Have car under control at all times. Reckless driving or careless operation of car will not be tolerated at any time, regardless of speed.
Do not take chances, do not expect the other fellow to give you all the road, give and take in proportion, do not expect the other fellow to get out of the way, do it yourself.
Keep to the right hand side of the streets.
When passing a vehicle going in the same direction, pass upon the left hand side.
When meeting vehicles, turn to the right side.
Do not turn around in the middle of the block or cut across the streets. When you desire to change your direction, go to the first street intersection, make your turn upon the far side of the same and resume your course upon the right hand side of the street. Do this at all times.
In turning corners, always make a complete turn upon the far side of the street intersection. After turning, take the right hand side of the street.
Right of Way
All cars or other vehicles going in either an easterly or westerly direction have the right of way over cars and vehicles going in a northerly or southerly direction. Drivers headed east or west who desire to change directions to the north or south will indicate the change desired by extending either the right or left arm horizontally as a signal to advancing or following cars or vehicles, or opposing conveyances coming from the north or south.
Parking
Drive your car or vehicle to the right hand side of the street with the right front wheel at or near the curb, having your right rear wheel a sufficient distance from the curb to allow another car or vehicle to place its front end between your right wheel and the curb at an angle, thus allowing you ample room to back away from the curb and regain the proper side of the street when leaving. Do not, in any case, back your car or vehicle across the street. Keep to your side of the street at all times regardless of running forward or backward.
After Dark
Observe the courtesy of the road. Do not throw a glaring light into the face of an opposing driver. Cars equipped with head light dimmers must use the same in meeting cars or vehicles. Those not equipped with dimmers must dim glaring head lights sufficiently to insure safety of their drivers as well as the drivers of opposing cars and vehicles. You must display lights at both front and rear.
The unnecessary use of the Spot Light upon vehicles will not be tolerated. Unthinking drivers are liable to abuse the use of this useful instrument.
The unnecessary use of the horn or other signaling device will not be tolerated.
Cut-outs upon cars are not to be used unnecessarily. Drive your car as quietly as possible in a safe and sane manner.
The Town Marshal has received explicit orders to enforce these rules. Parties violating any part of same will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.
The Town of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, June 4th, 1917.
Attest:
[SEAL]
CHAS. C. TURNER, Clerk
A. W. JONES, Mayor
From horse-drawn wagons to horseless carriages—and now toward electric and autonomous vehicles—the road keeps changing. What remains constant is the community’s effort to adapt, regulate, and travel safely together.
