Self ex rel. Self v. Dixon

CLARK, Judge. Defendant, in pleading contributory negligence, alleged that plaintiff violated various rules of the roads and statutes, including G.S. 20-174.1 which provides as follows: “Standing, sitting or lying upon highways or streets prohibited. — (a) No person shall willfully stand, sit, or lie upon the highway or street in such a manner as to impede the regular flow of traffic. (b) Any person convicted of violating this section shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both, in the discretion of the court.” In instructing the jury on the contributory negligence issue the trial court recited the statute.and added: “Now, a violation of this law is negligence within itself.” The plaintiff assigns as error this instruction to the jury. The language of G.S. 20-174.1 was construed in State v. Spencer, 276 N.C. 535, 173 S.E. 2d 765 (1970), in which Justice Huskins, for the Court, wrote: [681] “When G.S. 20-174.1 is subjected to these rules of construction, it is quite clear that the legislature intended to make it unlawful for any person to impede the regular flow of traffic upon the streets and highways of the State by willfully placing his body thereon in either a standing, lying or sitting position. A person may stand and walk, stand and strut, stand and run, or stand still. All these acts are condemned by the statute when done willfuly in such manner as to impede the regular flow of traffic upon a public street or highway. . . .” 276 N.C. at 547, 173 S.E. 2d at 774. In Spencer and other cases involving violations of G.S. 20-174.1, the evidence tended to show that the defendants were involved in demonstrations and purposely impeded or blocked traffic for a substantial amount of time. See, State v. Frinks, 22 N.C. App. 584, 207 S.E. 2d 380, appeal dismissed 285 N.C. 761, 209 S.E. 2d 285 (1974); In re Shelton, 5 N.C. App. 487, 168 S.E. 2d 695 (1969); aff’d 403 U.S. 528, 29 L.Ed. 2d 647, 91 S.Ct. 1976 (1971); In re Burrus, 4 N.C. App. 523, 167 S.E. 2d 454, modified 275 N.C. 517, 169 S.E. 2d 879 (1969), aff’d 403 U.S. 528, 29 L.Ed. 2d 647, 91 S.Ct. 1976 (1971). In the case sub judice there is not sufficient evidence tending to show that plaintiff willfully placed her body on Deaton Street to impede or block traffic in violation of G.S. 20-174.1. Plaintiff testified that she stood “half on and half off” the pavement for the purpose of picking up the rag dropped by her niece and that she saw defendant’s approaching automobile but was unable to get off the pavement before being struck. Defendant testified that upon turning south on Deaton Street he was blinded by the sun and did not see plaintiff until she was ten feet from him in a squatting position. Since a new trial must be ordered for error in submitting to the jury plaintiff’s violation of G.S. 20-174.1 in instructing on the contributory negligence issue, the other assignments of error are not discussed since they may not recur upon retrial. Reversed and remanded for a new trial. Judges VAUGHN and Martin (Harry C.) concur.