When a , its launch is followed by a flurry of legislation to manage its use. This isn’t something that we’re seeing for the first time . In fact, it also hit regular, human-controlled cars when they first appeared.

One organization in the U.S. even came up with its own set of recommendations for drivers in rural areas. And went as far as attempting to have them enshrined into law.

In rural , an organization called the Farmers’ Anti-Automobile Society took offense to the appearance of “horseless carriages” on roads and in the countryside. So, it published a pamphlet of rules and regulations for all drivers across the state. And, as I’m sure you’re expecting, some of the group’s suggestions make for a fairly funny read.

Published at some point “” the Rules Of The Road has nine pointers to keep rural Pennsylvania safe from the onslaught of the car.

And, as it’s a farmers’ organization, many of the rules posed have seemingly been written to protect horses and cattle, rather than PA natives.

For example, the society suggests that if a driver sees a horse they must pull over and cover their car with a “blanket or dust cover, which is painted or colored to blend into the scenery”.

The pamphlet adds:

“In case a horse is unwilling to pass an automobile on the road, the driver of the car must take the machine apart as rapidly as possible and conceal the parts in the bushes.”

Imagine having to tear apart your Impreza whenever you meet a horse on your morning commute.

But, when it comes to driving home at night. Then, you’ll be required to “send up a red rocket every mile and wait ten minutes for the road to clear”.

Drivers are also asked to toot their horns or “fire a revolver” when they’re 100 yards from a corner. And, the society called for the state to impose secret speed limits to encourage motorists to drive slowly.

Finally, it asked members of the Farmers’ Anti-Automobile Society to give up their Sunday and spend it “chasing automobiles, shooting and shouting at them, making arrests, and otherwise discouraging country touring on that day”.

What a way to spend a weekend.

You’ll be pleased to know that these rules never quite became law. While they were passed by the legislature, they were soon rejected by the state governor.

So thankfully, there’s no need to pack spare fireworks whenever you find yourself on a country road in rural PA.