Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-10-14
Striving to Prevent Waste of Life.


Letters embodying suggestions for per-
sonal safety in crossing railroad tracks
are to be seEt to automobilists periodi-
caIly by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
under a plan to redouble the efforts TO
prevent motor vehicles from being struck
by trains at crossings. This method OF
making personal appeal TO the public
was decided upon because OF the alarm
ing increase in such accidents during the
past year, when, according TO figures
prepared by c. w. Galloway, general
manager, there were % automobiles struck
by trains, an increase oil II accidents and
q deaths.
Observations will be taken by the rail-
road from time TO time at busy street
crossings in various communities and
with the cooperation of State automo-
bile authorities the license numbers will
be secured and the owners addressed
personally In the case OF those who
cross the tracks without taking precau-
tionS for personal safety, suggestions
will be offered and mention made OF the
specific occasion which might have re-
suited in an accident, and where the
drivers were mindful OF their safety ap-
probation will be expressed for the as
sistance lent the railroad in preventing
accidents and possible loss OF life.
The first observation made at Union
town, Pa, on September II, when 729
automobiles crossed the railroad tracks
at Fayette street between O'Clock in the
morning and 6 at night, serves to show
the necessity for such measures OF reach
ing the public. Only Is automobiles
were stopped 10 ascertain whether or not
train was approaching, "a OF them being
stopped by a train using the crossing,
and of the 70l violations sos OF these
vehicles were not even slowed down.
In 81 instances the drivers looked in one
direction, while 542 did not look at all.
There were but l35 drivers who looked
in both directions before crossing the
tracks, and 470 machines did so without
regard for safety.
A heavy toll in lives has also been paid
by trespassers who used the railroad
right t-of-way as highway or were neg
lectfuI OF their safety when crossing the
tracks, ,466 trespasserS having been
killed and 2.767 injured during the five
years l9ll-l5.
With automobiles, Mr.. Galloway has
found that density Of population has had
little tc do with swelling the number OF
accidents, for as many automobiles were
struck in country dirtricts as in large
cities and the disregard of drivers has
been as noticeable in one place as an
other.
at is horrifying TO contemplate the
disregard which some drivers OF auto
mobiles have for their own safety and
the safety OF others when crossing rail-
road tracks" said Mr.. Galloway. with
the railroad" he continued, "trainmen
are trained to be careful and mindful Of
their personal safety and The safety OF
others. They are impressed with the
importance OF sounding whistle signals at
highway crossings and when approach
ing stations, yet there are automobilists
who will approach railroad tracks with
out signalling or ascertaining in any way
whether it is safe 10 cross. Engineers
serve for years before they are entrusted
with the operation Of locomotive. while
automobiles sometimes with an hours
instruction ieopardize the lives OF them
selves and others by recklessly crossing
tracks. There have been cases ofmotor-
lists racing trains to crossings and for
feiting their lives as result"