Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-20
Safety at Road Crossings

THE railroads OF the United States. through the
i American Railway sssociation have undertaken
campaign for the prevention Of accidents 81
highway crossings. President Mudse. the recon'-
mendation Of the executive COMMITTEES, has Appointed
special committee. consstins Of seven railroad Off
GERS representing tho railroads OF the county terri
torally consider the entire question The members
Of the committee James A. Mccrea, general man
ager, Long Island. chairman; J. q. Van Wrinkle, as
sstant to the general manager Cleveland, Cincinnati
Chicago q 81 Louis; c. i. Bsrdo, general manager
New York, New Haven 4 Hartford; L. E. jeffries
general attorney Southern Howard Elliott inspector
Of transportation San Pedro. Los Angeles Salt Lake.
w. j. Towne. assistant general manager, Chicago
Northwestern. and W. r. Scott vice president and
general manager Southern Pacific. This committee
will present recommendations after a thorough Ia
vostigaton for action 10 bring about reduction Of
and ono which s rapidly Increasing In spite OF the
many millions that have been expended by the rail-
roads for the elimination Of grade crossings.
The Importance OF the problem Is indicated by the
fact that in years for which the statistics
available the Interstate Commerce commission
has reported total OF AIS persons killed and n.si7
injured by being struck or run over by or loco
motives at highway crossings.
The figures show an increase fairly consistent
with the development OF railway traffic although the
increase in the number OF persons killed lie less in
proportion than the growth of the railway business
but since 1909 there has been steady increase. un
affected by the falling off in traffic In 1914 This is
doubtless largely due to the increase in the use of
phase of the situation will necessarily i'm
portant place in the committees investigation.
The standard remedy OF the public authorities for
crossing accidents is elevation depression Of the
tracks-if the railroads be made to stand the
pense II there is CHANGE that the community may
he required to share the cost of Improvement made
for It's benefit the zeal Of Abe public officials for grade
separation frequently wanes The separation grades
rapidly practicable IL much to be desired but
at an average cost Of probably $4,000 per crossins
the most afiuent railroad corporation afford
TO eliminate only small part Of It's grade crossings
Complete separation OF grades would cost most roads
more than they are worth. aud In many places the
expense is great as 10 raise the question whether
the same amount OF money would not bring about
greater reduction OF accidents expended in other
ways. w"
Mr. McCrea, the chairman OF the American Rail-
association committee, IL especially qualified for
the position by reason experience gained by him in
prosecuting vigorous campaign TO nsti safety-firs
ideas into the motorists Of Long island. The commit
tee undoubtedly accomplish some results we'll
worth while by working along the lines followed by
the Long Island and other roads that made
special efforts to reduce crossings accidents.
To what large extent highway crossing accidents
duo TO carelessness Is demonstrated by obserya-
tons made by Southern Pacific OF the actions OF
the drivers OF 17O21 motor vehicles approaching
railroad crossings In number OF widely separated
localities OF the total lisa drivers ssK per cent
looked neither TO right left before crossing the
tracks; 81 per cent looked only one way and only
27s per cent looked In both directions. while 3So1 Of
1913 cent, the crossing at reckless rate
OF speed only thiryfve stopped before crossing
OF tsS drivers Of teams 1914 per looked in neither
direction. Sc cent looked only way, and only
Sc cent looked in both directions Similar observa
lions taken later at the plAoes. after the
road had given great deal Of publicity to It's efforts
to reduce this kind OF accidents and had appealed
the cooperation of local Authorities and automobile
clubs. showed considerable Improvement.
AS the country develops II will be necessary for
tho railways TO continue TO eliminate grade crossings
as rapidly they and the Increases OF popula-
ton and Industry that make such expenditures neces
should naturally tend Increase earnings az
to enable the roads to meet them. but meanwhile a
great deal be accomplished to make conditions
operation of the public and its Representatives