Rules of the Road, the official designation of regulations adopted by national or international authorities for the management of vessels in storms, fogs, or other danger. Under act of the United States Congress, in 1896, the rules already established were considerably changed to comport with the schedule to be observed by vessels of all civilized nations on and after July 1, 1897. These rules apply also to inland waters, excepting the Great Lakes, for which a special set has been devised.
Entry from Everybody's Cyclopedia,
1912.