Speeding on the Bridge - $5 FINE!

 

BY-LAW NO. 7

A BY LAW TO PROHIBIT FAST DRIVING ACROSS BRIDGE KNOWN AS POT HOLE BRIDGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE TOWN OF MAGRATH.

 

View the original Bylaw No. 7: Bridge Bylaw

 

If you lived in Magrath, Alberta in 1907, a $5 to $10 fine was waiting for you at the other end of a notorious bridge – if you drove over it faster than you could walk. The rhyme and reason behind early municipal bylaws, such as the above- mentioned Pothole Bridge bylaw enacted in October of that year, can be a mystery. Examining the traffic bylaws students were able to sort out what happens when everyone is trying to get somewhere but there are no guidelines or rules to protect others and make it safe and healthy for everyone. Students looked at fairness and equality and rights to life and property. What interesting bylaws are in your community?

Speeding Carriages – What’s the Limit?

Pothole Creek Bridge – An Accident Waiting to Happen

Mrs. Sally Cook was walking her dog across the bridge, when Fred Sabey came racing by in his carriage.

The dog spooked the horses and in the process was run over by Mr. Sabey.

In the event, the carriage wheel broke and Fred Sabey

nearly overturned his carriage. Fortunately, the horses were unharmed other than being upset at the dog scaring them on their excursion.

Mrs. Cook was upset at the death of her dog and Fred now had a broken carriage to contend with.

Picture of farm

 

 

Dog Killed at
Pothole Creek Bridge

 

Woman insists on slower pace for carriages

Fred is rushing to work because he is late, when Bob, the dog runs out from the side of the road. Fred tries to stop the carriage but the horses get spooked and run over the dog. Both Sally (the dog owner) and Fred share some unkind words. The story makes its way to the Mercantile where Brad discusses it with Rebecca (the local gossip.)

student actors

 

Sally and Rebecca

...played by Emma

Fred (Carriage driver)

...played by Connor

Brad (and dog)

... played by Jarod