-
Traffic law regulates the movement of motorized vehicles upon the public right-of-way (roads, highways and expressways). Traffic laws are adopted to ensure public safety.
-
Vehicle operators must demonstrate competency in driving and must use vehicles in a lawful manner. Laws are made taking into consideration population, traffic patterns, accident history, visibility, physical conditions and common practice. Collections of traffic laws made by state legislatures are called "traffic codes."
-
Many rules--stay to the right (or left) and yield to the first carriage to get to an intersection--were simply traditional common sense. Traffic codes were created when large numbers of automobiles began traveling the highways.
-
Traffic laws regulate where vehicles can operate, how fast they can travel and who can operate them.
-
Municipalities may make specific traffic "ordinances" for local conditions, but they may not contradict state codes. These rules are enforced only within the municipality.
-
Traffic laws give drivers a uniform, commonly agreed-upon set of rules. Their observance cuts down on crash and injury potential for the motoring public.
