Leary v. Norfolk Southern Bus Corp.
Leary v. Norfolk Southern Bus Corp.
Opinion of the Court
One of the primary allegations of negligence is that the defendant parked or left its bus standing upon the paved or improved or main traveled portion of the highway in violation of sec. 123 (a), ch. 407, Public Laws 1937. The evidence in respect thereto tended to show that the driver of the defendant’s bus was in the act of stopping or had stopped the bus on the improved or paved portion of the highway for the purpose of permitting a passenger to alight, and that the shoulder of the road was of sufficient width to permit the driver to drive off of the hard surface before stopping. The only conflict in
On this aspect of the case the court charged as follows: “Plaintiff contends that defendant parked its bus on the paved portion of the highway where it had no scheduled stop. There is a section of the statute which covers that also, sec. 2621 (308) :” It then read to the jury see. 123 (a), ch. 407, Public Laws 1937, which is Michie’s Code of 1939, sec. 2621 (308). It then stated plaintiff’s contentions in respect thereto including the statement: “Plaintiffs contend that defendant parked its bus on the paved portion of the highway. That is one of the elements plaintiffs are depending upon in each of the cases as to negligence.” It then stated plaintiffs’ contentions on this allegation and charged further : “There is some debate as to what is meant by parking on a highway upon the paved or improved or main traveled portion of any highway outside a business district.
“If you find from the evidence and by its greater weight in this case that the defendant, through its driver, did stop its bus, all of the same being on the paved portion of the highway, and that at the same time there was space enough on the shoulder or entrance to a road right at this point that it was practicable to park in and not park on the paved portion of the highway, and that a reasonably prudent man, as I have defined that term for you, would not have stopped on the highway, that is, the paved portion, but would have pulled onto the shoulder or the part of the road adjoining the pavement, which according to plaintiff’s contention was 10 or 11 feet wide, then that, under the law, would amount to negligence, as the court conceives it to be.” This was followed by an instruction that “the violation of a statute designed for the safety of people (other than the section related to speed) using roads and highways of this State, the violation of such statute is negligence per se.”
It clearly appears from the evidence offered and the quoted portion of the charge that the court below conceived it to be a violation of see. 123 (a) of the 1937 Act if the defendant stopped its bus on the paved portion of the highway, under the circumstances outlined, for the purpose of permitting a passenger to alight. That is, the' court held, in effect, that “park” and “leave standing” are synonymous with “stop.”
The defendant’s exceptive assignments of error challenging the correctness of the quoted excerpts from the charge present this question: Is the stopping of a motor vehicle upon the paved or improved or main traveled portion of a highway, outside of a business or residence district, when it is practicable to park or leave such vehicle standing off of the paved or improved or main traveled portion of such highway, when such ■stopping is for the purpose of permitting a passenger to alight, a viola
This question was discussed and decided in Peoples v. Fulk, ante, 635. Supplementing wbat was there said we may add that the temporary stopping of an automobile on the proper side of the highway for a necessary purpose is not unlawful. S. v. Carter, 205 N. C., 761, 172 S. E., 415; Stallings v. Transport Co., 210 N. C., 201, 185 S. E., 643; 42 C. J., 614; 2 Blashfield Cyc. Auto L. & P., 332, and cases cited; Billings-ley v. McCormick Transfer Co., 228 N. W., 424 (N. D.); Alexon v. Jardine, 223 N. W., 32 (N. D.); Dare v. Bass, 224 Pac., 646. Accordingly, it has been held that the stopping of a service truck on the highway to hitch on to a wrecked car, Kastler v. Toures, 210 N. W., 415 (Wis.), or to detach a tow chain, Henry v. Liebovitz & Sons, 167 Atl., 304 (Pa.), reasonable backward or forward movement of a vehicle engaged in ordinary use of the highway, with allowance of time required in changing direction, Henry v. Liebovitz & Sons, supra, stopping momentarily to permit a person to board the vehicle, Peoples v. Fulk, supra, American Co. of Arkansas v. Baker, 60 S. W. (2d), 572 (Ark.), or stopping to make a delivery, where there is ample room to pass, Delfosse v. Oil Co., 230 N. W., 31 (Wis.), does not constitute a violation of statutes such as the one under consideration. See also 2 Blashfield, supra, 332-33.
In many instances such temporary stops are required by statute (ch. 407, Public Laws 1937, sections 105, 117, 119, 120, 128, and 134) and to hold otherwise would mean that a motorist who stops at a through street or to permit a pedestrian to pass in safety or for traffic to clear before making a left-hand turn or to yield the right of way to a train at a railroad crossing or to permit a passenger to get on or to alight from the vehicle must first drive off of the hard surface on to the shoulder of the road. The language used in the statute is not such as to justify this conclusion.
The charge of the court on this aspect of the case dealt with one of the plaintiffs’ primary allegations of negligence. Defendant admitted its bus was stopped with all four wheels on the pavement to permit a passenger to alight. The court instructed the jury that this was an act of negligence per se. Such charge was erroneous and prejudicial.
On the question of contributory negligence of plaintiff McDuffie see McNair v. Kilmer & Co., 210 N. C., 65, 185 S. E., 481; Hughes v. Luther, 189 N. C., 841, 128 S. E., 145.
As the questions presented by the other exceptive assignments of error may'not again arise we refrain from discussion thereof.
New trial.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting: From the main opinion I dissent. I give the facts and the law in the case fnlly.
These are two actions brought by plaintiffs against defendant for actionable negligence, alleging damage. They were consolidated for trial without objection.
In the McDuffie case the issues and answers thereto were as follows:
“1. Was the plaintiff injured by the negligence of the defendant, as alleged in the complaint ? Ans.: ‘Yes.’
“2. Did the plaintiff by his own negligence contribute to his injury, as alleged in the answer ? Ans.: ‘No.’
“3. What property damage is plaintiff entitled to recover ? Ans.: ‘$400.00.’
“4. What damage is plaintiff entitled to recover for and on account of injuries to his person ? Ans.: ‘$200.00 ’ ”
In the Leary case the issues and answers thereto were:
“1. Was plaintiff’s intestate injured by the negligence of the defendant, as alleged in the complaint? Ans.: ‘Yes.’
“2. If so, what damage is plaintiff entitled to recover ? Ans.: ‘$7,500.’ ”
I think the issues correct from the pleadings and evidence adduced on the trial. In the McDuffie case the defendant denied negligence and set up the plea of contributory negligence. In the Leary case (a guest in the car) the defendant denied negligence and set up the plea of “joint adventure” and contributory negligence. There was no evidence to support the plea in the Leary case, and, therefore, no issues as to “joint adventure” or contributory negligence on these aspects were submitted to the jury.
In the Leary case the allegations in the complaint as to negligence are as follows: “That as plaintiff is informed, believes and avers, the death of his intestate, C. B. Cooper, was proximately caused by the negligence of the defendant, acting by and through its agent, servant or employee, viz.: the driver of said bus, in that the defendant, notwithstanding that at the time it well knew, or in the exercise of ordinary care ought to have known, that the width of the paved, improved or main traveled highway leading from Creswell to Columbia, and particularly that portion thereof at the point of said impact, was only 16 feet, that the shoulders at said point were in good condition and sufficiently wide to enable said bus to park or remain standing thereon, and that the car in which plaintiff’s intestate was riding was at the time proceeding in the same direction closely in the rear of said bus, did nevertheless: (1) wrongfully, carelessly and negligently permit said bus at said time to be operated by an unskilled and incompetent driver; (2) wrongfully, carelessly and negligently operate said bus without having attached thereto a properly
In the McDuffie case the allegations in the complaint as to negligence are as follows: “That plaintiff’s injuries to property and person were proximately caused by the negligence of the defendant, acting by and through its agent, servant and employee, viz.:” and contain the same allegations as in the Leary case. These allegations are denied by defendant and the plea of contributory negligence is set up.
Evidence of Plaintiff: The plaintiff N. P. McDuffie testified, in part: “My wife gave birth to a child on the 12th. As I recall the 15th day of October, 1938, it was a Saturday. I was staying in Columbia with my father-in-law, C. B. Cooper, who lived there. My car was a 1938 Ford Coach, and I left Columbia at approximately 8 p.m., for the purpose of visiting some friends in Creswell. . . . My father-in-law, Mr. Cooper, went with me in the car. I invited him to go on the trip. He had no interest in the car. It was my car and Mr. Cooper had no business in Creswell. We reached Creswell about 8 :00, maybe 8 :20, we left shortly after 8 :00. I saw my friends and stayed in Creswell something over an hour. At that time I was out on the street talking to my friends. I pulled out in my car about 200 yards behind the bus. We were both going toward Columbia and I was driving behind the bus. When I reached the main highway I pulled up to approximately 100 yards behind the bus and trailed at that approximate distance between
Dr. C. S. Chaplin testified, in part: “I treated Mr. Cooper. He stayed in my hospital. . . . He bad a fractured skull, two ribs broken in tbe right side and be developed paralysis of bis right side and intestines and later developed pneumonia and died. Tbe paralysis proceeded from tbe skull injury. Tbe skull injury was received from a blow. Prior to tbat night Mr. Cooper was in good health.” There was corroborative evidence to sustain plaintiff’s testimony.
Evidence for Defendant: C. Y. Stevenson testified, in part: “I am employed by tbe Norfolk Southern Bus Corporation. I was so employed on tbe 15th day of October, 1938. I was making tbe run from Williamston to Columbia. I am a regular bus operator and bad been operating buses for three years. I started on January 15, 1935. Since tbat time I have worked continuously at tbat occupation. I remember ■October 15, 1938, at tbe time my bus was struck by an automobile. Tbat night I was driving bus #36. ... I have tested tbat bus to ascertain for myself within what is tbe shortest distance it can be stopped going at tbe rate of 40 miles an hour and at tbe rate of speed just using air brakes and not tbe emergency brakes it takes 111 feet to stop it. I have not tested it with tbe emergency brake. At tbe rate of 30 miles per hour tbe shortest distance tbe bus can be stopped by tbe use of tbe air brakes and not tbe emergency brakes is 93 feet. Tbe use of tbe emergency brake makes it stop much more quickly. Tbat bus weighs 14,300 lbs. I took tbe bus on tbe night of .October 15, 1938, from Williamston, leaving there about 8 :50 or maybe it was 8 :45,1 don’t know exactly. I went to Creswell and left there going toward Columbia. On tbe way from Creswell to Columbia I stopped my bus at or near Travis station to put a passenger off. Tbat night I bad only one passenger. I was making a rate of speed prior to tbe time I stopped of between 35 and 40 miles an hour. I bad a passenger to put off in tbat neighborhood and I got a signal from tbe pull cord. When I got tbe signal I turned tbe lights on and asked him where be wanted to get off and be said, ‘Down at tbe cross-roads.’ I then started braking my bus — I bad a pretty good way to go to tbe station. You start applying air brakes-— you don’t put them on all of a sudden. I bad gone after starting to stop probably 100 or 125 feet, or maybe 150 feet, when I was struck by tbe automobile. I was making a gradual stop. There is a mechanical'device on tbat bus to indicate to tbe vehicle at tbe back tbat it is stopping. When you put your foot on tbe brake it automatically lights
Julius S. Postum testified, in part: “I saw the stop lights on the bus and saw the lettering on the bulbs. Coming from the rear in a car at night in my judgment the lettering could be distinguished or read about 50 feet. To the best of my knowledge they are around 2 inch lenses. I am talking about my vision.”
The evidence on the part of plaintiff was to the effect- that he was the owner and driver of a 1938 Model Ford Coach, with his father-in-law, C. B. Cooper, as a guest. He was going home with his father-in-law to Columbia, N. C., after visiting friends in Creswell, N. C. The defendant’s bus was leaving Creswell going towards Columbia. He pulled out behind and was driving his car about 200 yards behind the bus and then trailed it for 5 or 6 miles, 100 yards behind the bus, until a curve was passed. He then, for 2 or 3 miles had a straight way and attempted to pass the bus. In order to pass he pulled up behind the
I think this evidence sufficient to be submitted to the jury. The evidence on the part of defendant, in the material aspects, contradicted that of plaintiff, but this is for the jury and not us to determine.
The plaintiffs rely chiefly upon the actionable negligence established in the following particulars as alleged in the complaint: “(1) The negligence of the defendant in stopping its bus, at night, with all four wheels on the pavement surface of the highway only 16 feet in width, notwithstanding the good condition and amplitude of the shoulders, in violation of C. S., 2621 (308), or in violation, as the jury was empowered to find, of its common law duty to exercise due care. (2) The negligence of the defendant in suddenly stopping its bus upon the highway, at night, without first ascertaining that the stop could be made in safety, and without signaling its intention to do so, in violation of G. 8., 2621 (SOI), and in further violation, as the jury was empowered to find, of its common law duty to exercise due care.” The main opinion refers to but does not set forth the statute on the subject, which is as follows: N. C. Code, 1939 (Michie), sec. 2621 (308), has, as to stopping on a highway, a double provision: “(1) No person shall park (2) or leave standing any vehicle whether attended or unattended, upon the paved or improved or main traveled portion of any highway outside of a business or residence district, when it is practicable to park or leave such vehicle standing off of the paved or improved or main traveled portion of such highway.” The proviso reads as follows : “In no event shall any person parle
The main opinion repeals the provisions of this law. It will be noted that the above statute uses the language “outside of a business or residence district.” In fact, the decision in the main opinion is not applicable, the stopping was not in a “business or residence district.” The word “park” is not appropriate to the facts here.
In S. v. Carter, 205 N. C., 761 (763), it is stated: “This word is in general use, with reference to motor driven vehicles, it means the permitting of such vehicles to remain standing on a public highway or street, while not in use. 42 C. J., 613; C. S., 2621 (66).” Stallings v. Transport Co., 210 N. C., 201 (203).
The whole statute is construed in Lambert v. Caronna, 206 N. C., 616. At p. 620, it is said: “The court below charged the law fully set forth under (a) supra. Defendant contends that the court below omitted to charge the law under (c). We see no error in the exclusion of (c) in the charge. The entire evidence of defendant was that he had a ‘flat tire,’ a ‘puncture.’ The tire was deflated and it was necessary for him to stop, in so doing, he should have complied with the rule of the road (a), supra, the evidence in no way brought him under the provisions of (c). No one testified the Pontiac was disabled in any manner except by a flat tire, or that it could not have been stopped so as to leave fifteen unobstructed feet for the passage of the Chrysler. The defense below was that 15 or more feet were in fact left clear on the hard surface. But this defense the jury ignored by the verdict.” The main opinion overrules the statute and this decision.
In Yol. 2, Oye. Automobile Law and Practice, see. 1192, pp. 326-7, it is written: “In several jurisdictions there are statutes providing that no vehicle shall be parked or left standing on the highway in such manner that there shall not be a space of a specific number of feet for the passage of other vehicles. A failure to leave the required unobstructed passage way constitutes negligence, unless the stopping is dice to some unavoidable mishap, such as an accident wrecking the car, where, if the owner of the car is using due diligence to procure its removal, the statute does not apply. A statute requiring a driver stopping on the highway to leave a required number of feet for passage for other vehicles is applicable where an automobile collided with a parked truck, although no other car
A clear analysis of a statute in all respects identical with our oivn, except that, where impracticable to stop entirely on the shoulder, it required a space of 10 feet instead of 15 feet to be left open and unobstructed, will be found in Fontaine v. Charas (N. H.), 181 Atl. Rep., 417 (418), where the Court said: “The record is clear to the effect that it was ‘practicable’ for the defendant to have driven his car off of ‘the paved or improved or main traveled portion’ of the highway at the place where the accident occurred. It also appears to be conceded that his car was not disabled prior to the collision, and that the accident did not occur in a business or residence district. It does not appear, however, how long his car was stationary before the accident. From this lack of evidence the defendant contends that there is no evidence of ‘parking.’ Were ‘parking’ the only act prohibited, it might be necessary to attempt a definition of that rather loose word as it is used in the statute, but since it is illegal not only to ‘park’ but also to ‘leave standing,’ we are of the opinion that the defendant’s act of stopping where he did is sufficient to invoke the statute. To ‘park’ may imply halting a vehicle for some appreciable length of time, but there is no such connotation to be drawn from the words to ‘leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended.’ We believe that by the use of this phrase the Legislature intended to make illegal any voluntary stopping of a vehicle on the highway for any length of time, be that length of time long or short, except, of course, such stops as the exigencies of traffic may require. It therefore follows that the defendant was guilty of a violation of the statute in stopping on the traveled part of the highway when he could have driven off to the side, and it becomes unnecessary to consider the view which could have been obtained of his car or the clear space available for passage by it.”
The law is settled that the negligence relied on must be the proximate cause of the injury. In Burke v. Coach Co., 198 N. C., 8 (13), the rule is laid down as follows: “There is no evidence as to how the injury occurred, and the mere fact of the injury is in itself ordinarily no evidence of negligence. ‘The breach of a statute is negligence per se, but there must be a causal connection between the disregard of the statute and the injury inflicted.’ Ledbetter v. English, 166 N. C., 125, 81 S. E., 1066. Again it has been held in Chancey v. R. R., 174 N. C., 351, 93 S. E., 834, that ‘the rule was recently stated to be, that however negligent a party is, if his act stands in no causal relation to the injury, it is not actionable.’ ”
The authorities from this State so clearly support the plaintiffs’ position as to render unnecessary a citation of authority from other juris
Tbe foregoing eases, variously, deal witb each of tbe questions considered bere, negligence, contributory negligence, and proximate cause. Indeed, no authority is necessary for tbe proposition tbat tbe violation of a statute, designed for tbe promotion of public safety, constitutes negligence per se, and tbat tbe question of proximate cause, as in every case where tbe minds of men might disagree (Harton v. Telephone Co., 141 N. C., 455), is for tbe jury. Indeed, while tbe instant case seems to find support from each and all of tbe cases cited, supra, they are practically on “all-fours” witb Smith v. Coach Co., 214 N. C., 314, wherein each of tbe questions bere presented was resolved in favor of tbe plaintiffs. Furthermore, in tbe Leary case it will be noticed tbat tbe only contributory negligence pleaded is such as is imputable to tbe intestate Cooper as a joint adventurer witb McDuffie — a theory of tbe case which has not been sustained. He was a guest in tbe car driven by McDuffie. To bar bis recovery tbe negligence of McDuffie must be tbe sole proximate cause of tbe injury.
In Holland v. Strader, supra, Devin, J., for tbe Court held (headnote) : “Evidence tbat defendant stopped bis car suddenly without giving tbe warning signal required by statute, and tbat tbe ear in which plaintiff was riding as a guest, traveling on tbe. highway in tbe same direction behind defendant’s car, collided witb tbe rear of defendant’s car, causing tbe injury in suit, is held sufficient to be submitted to tbe jury on tbe issue of defendant’s negligence, notwithstanding defendant’s evidence tbat tbe cars were in a long line of traffic going to a football game and tbat tbe negligence of tbe driver of tbe car in which plaintiff was riding in failing to keep a proper lookout and control over tbe car, and in following too closely behind defendant’s car, was tbe sole proximate cause of tbe injury, tbe conflicting contentions raising a question of fact for tbe determination of tbe jury.” At p. 438, it is said: “According to tbe uniform decisions of this Court, tbe violation of a statute imposing a rule of conduct in tbe operation of a motor vehicle and enacted in tbe interest of safety has been held to constitute negligence per se, but before tbe person claiming damages for injury sustained can be permitted to recover be must show a causal connection between tbe injury received and tbe disregard of tbe statutory mandate. This has been tbe established rule in North Carolina,” citing authorities. Bechtler v. Bracken, supra.
Nor can it be reasonably contended that the negligence thus established bore no causal relation to the injuries sustained by plaintiffs. Smithwick v. Pine Co., supra; Lambert v. Caronna, supra; Bechtler v. Bracken, supra; Fontaine v. Charles, supra; and other cases cited supra, upon the question of negligence. Lancaster v. Greyhound Corp., 219 N. C., 679.
N. C. Code, supra, see. 2621 (296), is as follows: “(a) The driver of any such vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at least two feet to the left thereof, and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until safely clear of such overtaken vehicle, (b) The driver of an overtaking motor vehicle not within a business or residence district, as herein defined, shall give audible warning with his horn or other warning device before passing or attempting to pass a vehicle proceeding in the same direction.”
On the second aspect I quote the following statute in N. C. Code, supra, sec. 2621 (301) : “Signals on starting, stopping or turning, (a) The driver of any vehicle upon a highway before starting, stopping or turning from a direct line shall first see that such movement can be made in safety, and if any pedestrian may be affected by such movement shall give a clearly audible signal by sounding the horn, and whenever the operation of any other vehicle may be affected by such movement, shall give a signal as required in this section, plainly visible to the driver of such other vehicle, of the intention to make such movement, (b) The signal herein required shall be given by means of the hand and arm in the manner herein specified ‘or by any approved mechanical or electrical device, except that when a vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent the hand and arm signal from being visible, both to the front and rear, the signal shall be given by a device of a type which has been approved by the department.’ Whenever the signal is given the driver shall indicate his intention to start, stop or turn by extending the hand and arm from and beyond the left side of the vehicle as hereinafter set forth. Left turn — hand and arm horizontal, forefinger pointing. Eight turn — hand and arm pointed upward. Stop — hand and arm pointed downward. All signals to be given from left side of vehicle during last fifty feet traveled.”
One driving an automobile upon a public highway is required by provision of this section to give specific signals before stopping or turning thereon, and the failure of one so driving to give the signal required
In 3-4 Huddy Cyc. of Automobile Law (9 Ed., 1931), sec. 145, pp. 245-6, we find: “Statutes and municipal ordinances in many cases require tbe driver of a motor vehicle to indicate bis intention of bringing bis car to a stop; and a violation of such a regulation may form a basis for a charge of negligence. Even in tbe absence of such a regulation, a driver is not relieved of tbe duty to use some care in respect to traffic in tbe rear; and whether tbe failure to give a signal to tbe rear is or is not negligence depends on tbe circumstances of tbe case, and usually is a question of fact for tbe jury. A signal that a forward vehicle is to stop should not be given unless tbe driver actually does so.” Murphy case, supra, p. 103.
Tbe evidence was to tbe effect that tbe driver of tbe car in tbe rear of tbe bus complied with tbe statute. As to negligence, tbe burden of this issue was on tbe plaintiffs.
As to contributory negligence of McDuffie, tbe burden of this issue was on tbe defendant, and we think it was a fact for tbe jury to determine. Postum, a witness for defendant, testified that tbe stop lights on tbe rear of tbe bus “could be distinguished or read about 50 feet.” Tbe plaintiff testified that “tbe driver of tbe bus did not give any signal of bis intention to stop.” From tbe authorities cited, I think tbe plaintiffs’ evidence amply sufficient to justify tbe court below in overruling defendant’s motion for judgment as in case of nonsuit.
I have examined tbe North Carolina cases cited by defendant and think they are distinguishable from tbe facts in tbe present action. If tbe New Jersey case cited by defendant is in point (Hochberger v. Wood, Inc., 124 N. J. L., 518), and perhaps other cases not in this jurisdiction, we must abide by our own statute and decisions on tbe subject.
It is so well settled by numerous authorities, that I quote none, that as all tbe evidence showed that C. B. Cooper was a guest in tbe ear of N. P. McDuffie, therefore be was not guilty of contributory negligence. Tbe main opinion wipes out a statutory law made for tbe protection of the public.
Taking tbe charge as a whole, and not disconnectedly and disjointedly, we think tbe court below charged tbe law applicable to tbe facts in tbe case. On tbe first aspect, tbe statute is in clear language. Sec. 2621 (308), supra. It may be noted that tbe material allegation in tbe complaint was as to tbe negligence of tbe bus driver in “stopping suddenly, without giving warning.” Tbe issue submitted, and answered “Yes” by tbe jury, is “Was tbe plaintiff injured by tbe negligence of tbe
The defendant was operating its bus, weighing 14,300 pounds, at night on a perfectly straight highway, at 35 to 40 miles per hour, on a paved road 16 feet wide at the place of the collision. The shoulders at that place were 10 or 11 feet wide and in good condition. A passenger in the bus gave the signal to stop, and in the exercise of due care and in accordance with the statute the driver could have complied with the statute and given the driver of the car in the rear notice of his intention to stop. This he did not do. He could have left a clear and unobstructed width on the main traveled portion of the highway at least 15 feet opposite the bus, in accordance with the statute and in the exercise of due care. He did not do this. He stopped suddenly on the paved portion of the highway, without giving any signal of his intention so to do, or leave space as is required by the statute. The driver of the car in the rear, to avoid the impact, applied his brakes to such a degree that they had to be unlocked; but he hit the bus in the rear and the collision killed a guest in the ear and seriously injured the driver of the car. The evidence was to the effect that the driver of the car was using due care and obedient to the law of the road- — the defendant was not. It is of utmost importance to the traveling public on the highways that the statutes governing the rule of the road be strictly observed to avoid accident. These rules, when carefully observed by drivers of automobiles and large buses and heavy motor vehicles carrying freight, make for safety on the highways. The law in regard to the highways represent the experience of years, made to be observed to avoid accidents and should not be repealed, as is done in the main opinion. The facts were found by the jury in accordance with the version given by the driver of the automobile, on the record there was no prejudicial or reversible error. For the reasons given, I dissent from the main opinion.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- C. H. LEARY, Administrator of C. B. COOPER v. NORFOLK SOUTHERN BUS CORPORATION, and N. P. McDUFFIE v. NORFOLK SOUTHERN BUS CORPORATION
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published