There is presented in this bulletin for the information and convenience of all concerned, a digest of certain essential features of the Canal Zone Highway, vehicle and vehicular traffic laws and regulations. This digest, although as accurate as possible in digest form, does not purport to be comprehensive, but covers the more important information with which the public should be fully acquainted. Violators of the traffic laws and regulations are punishable, upon conviction, by fine or imprisonment or both.

OPERATORS' LICENSES

  Every person operating a motor vehicle in the Canal Zone must have a valid operator's license issued by the License Section, Civil Affairs Building, Ancon, or Building 1029, Cristobal, with certain exceptions indicated as follows: Special provisions accord recognition to official driver's permits for operation of official vehicles by members of the armed forces; to licenses issued in certain interior provinces of Panama, for transit of Canal Zone on restricted routes; to certain international drivers' licenses(good for use by nonresidents for 90 days); to drivers' licenses issued in other United States jurisdictions in the case of tourists or other nonresident visitors to the isthmus(90 days), or new residents(15 days). Operators' licenses are issued for three-year periods. An applicant must be at least 18 years of age(17 years for operator's license after completion of approved driver-training program; 16 years for restricted operator's license covering motor-scooters or motor-bikes). Applications of minors under 18 must be signed by the parents or guardian or other prescribed persons, who thereby assume certain obligations. Applicants are subject to examination of eyesight and knowledge of traffic laws and regulations, and an actual driving test. A person learning to drive must obtain an instruction permit, which is issued after the applicant passes all tests other than the driving test, is good for 60 days and renewable for another 90 days, and authorizes the permitee to drive when accompanied by a licensed driver who is occupying the seat beside the permitee. Notice must be given to the License Section of any change of name of a licensee or change of address from the Republic of Panama to the Canal Zone or vise versa, within 10 days of the change. No person may drive a school bus transporting school children, or any motor vehicle when it is used for transportation of persons or property for compensation, unless his operator's license specifically authorizes driving for such respective purposes. A license must be maintained in legible condition, must be in the possession of the driver, and must be displayed upon appropriate demand. Various offenses are prescribed concerning unlawful or fraudulent use of a license. Mandatory revocation of licenses is required for certain offenses, and for various specified reasons licenses may be refused, suspended, canceled, or revoked.

REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

  Every motor vehicle and trailer operated in the Canal Zone must be registered with the License Section, and must display a Canal Zone registration plate thereon, with certain exceptions indicated briefly herein. A vehicle validly registered in Panama and displaying a valid Panama plate need to be registered in the Canal Zone, but Panama commercial vehicles are nevertheless subject to annual inspection by the Motor Transportation Division, Panama Canal Company, and must carry ,and display on demand, a valid, legible certificate of inspection and must display on the windsheild a valid, legible sticker issued for the purpose. Comercial vehicles licensed in certain interior provinces of Panama are exempt from said inspection requirements and certain other regulations for purposes of transit through the Canal Zone on prescribed routes only, and such exempt vehicles may not receive goods or passengers within the Canal Zone except for destinations in the interior provinces of Panama. Canal Zone registration is required within 15 days after the owner of a vehicle registered in Panama becomes a resident of the Canal Zone, or the vehicle is transferred to a Canal Zone resident, unless the vehicle, if a commercial vehicle, has a business status in Panama. Official vehicles of the armed forces of the United States, the Canal Zone Government, or the Panama Canal Company, are exempt from registration. A vehicle brought to the Isthmus is exempt from Canal Zone registration for 90 days in in the case of a tourist or other nonresident visitor, or for 15 days in the case of a new resident, if the vehicle carries a valid registration plate issued in another United States jurisdiction for such vehicle. A separate numerical series of registration cards and plates is used in the case of owners entitled to Canal Zone gasoline purchase privileges, and and special provisions govern the invalidation and surrender or exchange of the card and plate upon termination of such privileges. The registration plate must be displayed in the rear of a vehicle in the prescribed manner, and at night it must be illuminated so as to be plainly visible at 60 feet. The registration card must be carried in the vehicle or by the driver thereof at all times and must be kept legible and displayed on appropriate demand. Registration cards and plates(except for official vehicles)expire at the end of the calendar year. Notice must be given to the License Section of any change of the name of the registered owner, within 10 days of the change. Any change of engine must be reported to the License Section within 10 days on a prescribed form, and the vehicle's registration must be turned in for exchange. Upon transfer of a vehicle the registered owner must endorse the registration and card and deliver it to the transferee, and notify the License Section of the transfer within 5 days on a prescribed form. The Canal Zone registration is automatically suspended unless, within 10 days of the transfer, a transfer of the registration is applied for and obtained. The registration card and plate stay with the vehicle unless the circumstances call for issuance of a card and plate of a different type or numerical series. An owner dismanteling or wrecking a registered vehicle must immediately forward the registration card and plate to the License Section. Changes in the status of a registered vehicle(e.g. conversion from personal use to commercial us or from transportation of passengers to transportation of property) must be reported to the License Section within 15 days, and the registration card and plate exchanged where required. Various offenses are prescribed concerning the removal, alteration, etc. of vehicle serial or engine numbers, and concerning the unlawful or fraudulent use of registration cards, plates, inspection certificates, etc. For specified reasons, the registration of a vehicle may be refused, suspended, cancelled, revoked, or changed.

STOPPING FOR SCHOOL BUS

  A motor vehicle meeting or overtaking a school bus which has stopped to receive or discharge passengers must come to a full stop before passing the school bus; but then may proceed pass the bus at a reasonable and prudent speed, not to exceed 10 miles per hour, with due caution for the safety of such passengers. A school bus is any vehicle of the bus type appropriately marked as a school bus on the front and rear thereof, and being used to transport chidren to and from any school, including Sunday School, or to or from any school activity or function.

TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS

  Vehicles. A vehicle approaching a "stop" sign shall come to a stop at such sign or stop line, and shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and to vehicles in the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazzard; having yielded, the vehicle may proceed cautiously into or across the intersection. Traffic signal lights indicate as follows: go on green light; stop on red light, except that right turn may be made; stop on yellow light following the green signal unless stop cannot be made safely; on green arrow make only the movement indicated by the arrow; on flashing red light stop before proceeding, as in the case of a "Stop" sign; on flashing yellow light proceed only with caution.
  Pedestrians. Where intermittent red and green traffic lights are in operation, pedestrians may not enter the highway except when facing the green light. Pedestrians may not start across the highway in the direction of any pedestrian control signal exhibiting the word"Wait"."
  Official Signs and Signals. It is unlawful to disobey any official traffic sign or signal, and it is ulawful to place at or upon any highway any sign, signal or printing relating to parking or the regulation of traffic except by authority of the Governor or his designated agent.

RIGHT-OF-WAY

  At intersections without traffic signals, an approachong vehicle must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway, and where the vehicles enter the intersection at the same time the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. Where traffic signals are in opertion, vehicles proceeding on a green light, whether going straight ahead or turning, the vehicles turning to the right on a red light, must yield the right-of-way to the other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or adjacent crosswalks. Pedestrians crossing a highway in obedience to a special pedestrian control signal have the right-of-way over all vehicles. Where no traffic or pedestrian controls are in operation, (a) pedestrians within marked crosswalks, or unmarked crosswalks at intersections, have the right-of-way over vehicles when the pedestrian is in the same path of the roadway as the vehicle or is approaching so closely from the opposite path as to be in danger, but no pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and enter the path of a vhicle which is so close that it would be hazardous for the driver to yield; and (b) pedestrians crossing a highway at a point other than a crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, but the driver of the vehicle must nevertheless use due care for the safety of the pedestrian. Vehicles stopped at a crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the highway may not lawfully be passed by any other vehicle approaching from the rear.

STOPPING,STANDING and PARKING

  No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle in any of the following places; on a sisewalk; in front of a driveway; within an intersection; within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; on a crosswalk, within 30 feet of an intersection; within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway; within 50 feet of the nearest rail ofa railroad crossing, or any railroad right-of-way or so near thereto as to impede, hinder, interfere with or affect railroad traffic; within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of said entrance; alongside or opposite any street evacuation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic; on the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street; upon any bridge or other eleveted structure upon a highway; at any place where official signs prohibit stopping; and along any curb that is painted a solid yellow color. No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle for any purpose or length of time other than for the expeditious unloading and delivery or pick-up and loading of materials in any place marked as a "curb loading zone," and then when such stopping does not interfere with any vehicle used for the transportation of materials which is waiting to enter or about to enter such zone. No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle other than a bus in a bus stop, or other than a taxicab in a taxicab stand except that the of a passenger vehicle may temporarily stop therein for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers when such stopping does not interfere with any bus or taxicab waiting to enter or about to enter such zone.
  Whenever the method or place of parking is designated by signs or markings, no person shall stand or park a vehicle other than in the manner and place designated by such signs or markings. Upon any highway outside of town limits, no person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or un attended, upon the paved or main-traveled part of the highway. When impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving a disabled vehicle on such roadway, there shall be displayed thereon a light visible for 350 feet to the front and rear. No person shall park a vehicle which is not in operating condition on any highway for a period of more than 24 consecutive hours. No person shall park any vehicle upon a highway within 30 feet of the front or rear line of any vehicle already parked or stopped on the opposite side of the highway, provided such highway is less than 24 feet in width. No person shall stand or park a vehicle on a highway other than parallel with the edge of the roadway headed in the direction of lawful traffic movement, and within 8 inches of the curb or edge of the roadway, unles a different method is indicated by signs or markings. The overnight parking of vehicles in the towns of Ancon and Balboa by residents of Panama other than employees of any agency of the United States is prohibited. No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key, and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheel to the curb or side of the highway.

DUTY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT

  The operator of any vehicle concerned in any accident involving injury to person or property must remain on the scene of the accident until police authorities arrive, or must communicate a full report of the accident to the nearest police authority without delay. In addition, where a person or other vehicle has been struck, the operator of the striking vehicle, and persons with him who have or assume authority over him, must give all necessary assistance to injured persons, including carrying them to a doctor, if medical treatment is necessary or such carrying is requested. The driver of any vehicle which collides with an unattended vehicle, or fixed object on or adjacent to a highway shall take responsible steps to locate and notify the owner or person in charge of such vehicle or object, giving his name and address and statement of circumstances.

OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

  It shall be unlawful for the owner to knowing permit to be operated on any highway, a vehicle which is in unsafe operating condition, or which is not equipped with required lamps and devices in proper condition, or which is equipped in any manner in violation of the regulations. The owner or lawful custodian of a motor vehicle is forbidden to permit the vehicle to be operated by an unlicensed person. The owner of a vehicle, if riding therein, is jointly liable with the operator for any violation of the regulations. The owner or lawful custodian of a motor vehicle who causes or knowingly permits a minor under the age of 18 years to operate the vehicle, and every person who gives or furnishes a motor vehicle to such a minor, are jointly and severely liable with the minor for any violations of the regulations by the minor.

EMERGENCY VEHICLES

  An emergency vehicle is a police or fire vehicle or ambulance of any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or of the Republic of Panama. Upon the approach of an emergency vehicle displaying a red light and giving audible signal by siren, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection; and shall stop and remain in such position until the emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. It is unlawful to drive any vehicle over a fire hose; to obstruct, delay, hinder, or impede the fire-fighting apparatus or the driver thereof, or any firemen discharging his duty; or to pass, or to ride in or on any vehicle in front or at the side of any fire-fighting apparatus.

RULES OF THE ROAD AND OTHER REGULATIONS

  Righthand Rule of the Road. All vehicles when in operation shall be kept as close to the right-hand side of the highway as practicable. An operator or driver meeting another driver coming from the opposite direction on the same highway shall turn to the right of the center of the highway so as to pass without interference. An operator or driver in rounding curves shall reduce speed and shall keep his vehicle as far to the right on the highway as reasonably possible.

Precaution Required in Executing Certain Movements. Before executing the following movements, the operator of a vehicle must satisfy himself that the movement can be made with safety; starting, stopping, turning from a direct line, backing, passing another vehicle, entering a highway from an alley or driveway, or crossing railroad tracks.

  Passing on Curves, Grades or Intersections. An operator or driver of a vehicle overtaking a vehicle going in the same direction and desiring to pass the same shall pass to the left of the vehicle so overtaken; provided, that the way ahead is clear of approaching traffic; but if the way is not clear, he shall not pass unless the width of the roadway is sufficient to allow his vehicle to pass to the center thereof in the direction in which his vehicle is moving; and provided further, that no operator or driver shall pass a vehicle from the rear near the top of a hill or on a curve where the view ahead is in any way obscured; or while the vehicle is crossing an intersecting highway. An operator or driver overtaking and desiring to pass a vehicle shall sound his signaling device (horn) and the operator or driver of the vehicle so overtaken shall promptly, upon such signal, turn his vehicle as far as reasonably possible to the right, in order to allow free passage on the left of his vehicle. On highways where double lines of vehicles are possible, or on highways where vehicles are obliged to move in one direction only, when any vehicle has slowed down, or stopped, and the operator or driver thereof has signaled for making a left-hand turn as required, the operators and drivers of vehicles following such a vehicle and desiring to proceed along such highway, or to turn to the right on an intersecting highway, may pass such vehicle on the right thereof; provided, that the operators or drivers of such vehicles shall slow down and proceed cautiously.

Speed Limits. In general, the speed limits within the Canal Zone are 25 miles per hour within town limits; and 40 miles per hour outside town limits. Greater or lesser speed limits at particular places or in particular zones or areas may be established by official signs posted on or near the highway. Consistently with the above, every vehicle must be driven at appropriate reduce speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railway grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling on any norrow or winding roadway, and when special hazards exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic, or by reason of weather or highway conditions. A vehicle may not be driven so slowly as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, or in compliance with the law.

  Wreckless Driving and Driving While Intoxicated. It is unlawful to operate any vehicle in a reckless manner, or to drive any motor vehicle while intoxicated. Heavy penalties are prescribed for operating a motor vehicle reclessly thereby causing great bodily injury to the person of another, and for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and causing the death of, or bodily injury to any person.

  Following Too Closely. Another vehicle must not be followed more closely than is reasonable and prudent.

Coasting. Coasting on any grade with gears disengaged or in neutral is prohibited.

  Riding in Improper Place on Vehicle. A person may not ride in a vehicle upon any portion thereof not designed or intended for use of passengers, except in cases of firemen and and garbage collection employees while engaged in performance of their duties; or persons riding in space intended for merchandise when adequate seats and side rails are provided.

  Clinging to Moving Vehicles. No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, rollor skates, or any toy vehicle may attach the same or himself to any moving vehicle.
  Driving on Road Shoulders. It is unlawful wilfully or recklessly to operate a vehicle in such manner as to cause damage to any road shoulder.
  Operation in Military Areas
In military areas, operators of vehicles must obey all signs and signals placed on the highway by competent military authority for the control or direction of traffic.
  Bicycles. Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all the rights, and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and no bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time other than for any number for which it is designed and equipped. Bicycles need not be registered in the Canal Zone. Bicycles shall not be equipped with sirens; but must be equipped with a horn or bell and, when operated at night, must display one bright headlight in the front, and a red light or red reflector in the rear. Every bicycle shall be equipped with adequate brakes.

  Stopping or Turning Movements; Required Signals. No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle or turn from a direct course without giving the appropriate signal. Such signal may be given by hand and arm or by mechanical or electrical signal devices. If the signal is given by hand and arm, it shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner; left turn--hand and arm extended horizontally, right turn--hand and arm extended upward; stop or decrease speed--hand and arm extended downward.

  Boarding or Alighting from a Vehicle in Motion; Extending Portions of Body Outside Vehicle. No person shall climb on, board board or alight from any vehicle while it is in motion, nor extend his body or any portion thereof outside of a vehicle in motion, except for the purpose of giving a hand signal.

  Play Streets. Where signs designating a play street are erected on a highway, it shall be unlawful to operate a vehicle therein, except that drivers of vehicles having business, or whose residences are within such designated area may enter when exercising proper care and caution.

  Obstruction to Driver's View or Driving Mechanism. No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such position as to interfere with the driver's view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with his control over the driving mechnism of the vehicle. No motor vehicle shall be driven upon a highway with any sign, poster, card, sticker or other nontransparent material upon the front windsheild, side wings, side or rear windows or hanging in front of or behind any windsheild, side wings, side or rear windows and which may tend to interfere with or obstruct the driver's vision.

  Obedience to Police Officers. No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.

EQUIPMENT AND INSPECTION

  All motor vehicles must be in safe operating condition, and so properly loaded as not to be dangerous. Projecting loads must carry a red flag at the end thereof. Once each year every motor vehicle, trailer,semitrailer and pole trailer operated over Canal Zone highways shall be inspected at an official inspection station and a certificate of inspection and approval (windsheild sticker) be obtained and displayed as prescribed. The following items will be inspected: lamps and turn indicators, brakes, steering gear, wheel alignment, horns and warning devices, mirrors, windsheild wipers, tires, safety glass, and muffler. A trailer's coupling device must prevent the trailer from whipping or swerving from side to side. Additional requirements are prescribed for commercial vehicles, trucks, and other heavy vehicles.
  :Lights. All vehicles must display lights when been operated between 6 p.m and 6 a.m., and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render persons and vehicles on the highway clearly discernable at a distance of 500 feet. All motor vehicles should display such headlights, tail lights, stop lights, clearance lights, turn indicators, and reflectors as prescribed in the regulations. Whenever approaching an oncoming vehicle, it is mandatory that the headlight beams be dimmed, depressed, or tilted downward before the other vehicle is is less than 500 feet away, and whenever following another vehicle within 200 feet to the rear, headlights shall be depressed in similar manner.

BUSSES, TRUCKS, AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES GENERALLY

  Busses are permitted to operate only on such streets and highways prescribed in Section 5.145 of the regulations and on such other streets as may be authorized by the Civil Affairs Director. A bus in motion shall have all doors thereon closed. The number of persons carried on any bus shall not exceed the seating capacity of such vehicle, and no person shall occupy a seat beside the driver. Busses may not take on or discharge passengers other than within regularly established "bus stops" on any section of a highway where such "bus stops" have been established.

Special Restrictions.   All motor vehicles licensed or used for commercial purposes, and official trucks ans busses, must comply with special standards and specifications prescribed by the regulations and are required to be inspected and to have certificates of inspection. Busses must comply with specifications prescribed by the regulations concerning entrances, emergency doors, safety glass, window guardrails, gasoline tanks, and general construction. Trucks and other heavy vehicles are subject to special restrictions as to size, weight, tires, speed, and movement. No person shall park a truck having a load rating in excess of three-quarters of a ton which is in operating condition on any highway in a residential area of any town for a longer period of time than shall be reasonably necessary to perform a service. Vehicles transporting explosives, flammable liquids, and liquified petroleum gasses are subject to further special regulations.

  Common Carriers of Passengers. Common carriers of passengers may not refuse, without just cause or excuse, to receive and carry passengers, and may not ask or receive a greater sum than is allowed by the tarrif regulations for carriage of passengers. Other restrictions applicable to such carriers refer to operators leaving their vehicles and disposing of articles left in their vehicles.

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