The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1916-01-07
AUTOISTS WHY
TAKE CHANCES


while on railroad property, and espec
ally on highways crossing railroa,
tracks, and no one recognizes the sit
uation more keenly than the averag
railroad manager, but he knows tina
it is impossible for him to eliminat,
such accidents without the co-opera
ton of the public in general.
"The engineer pulling the train Il
the direct representative of the rail
road in approaching railroad cross
ings, and the chauffeur driving the
automobile approaching the railroad
crossing on the highways is the direct
representative of the public Now will
these two important gentlemen hold
ing such responsible positions join
hands for Safety First and promote
it all they can? The railroad officials
can plan and map out all the safety
ideas in the world, but the issue is
really up to the engineer and the
driver OF the automobile to eliminate
accidents on highway crossings. About
all an engineer can do approaching a
highway crossing is to keep a close
watch, ring the bell and blow the
whistle in accordance with the rules
set up by the railroad company. In
order to maintain proper train sched-
ules the engineer must assume that
the automobile driver will either stop
or else make railroad crossing in plen-
ty of time to avoid any hazard of acci-
dent.
"At this time, all over the country,
railroads are being asked to abolish
grade crossings or establish warning
signals and many other devices to
protect the public. This requirement
Is due, in large degree, to the many
recent accidents to automobiles at
grade crossings. This, to the public's
lack of knowledge of the cause, in a
great many instances, seems to justify
asking immediate action on the part
of the railroads to protect the drivers
of machines. Should not the drivers
also be compelled to protect their
own lives and those interested in their
care? Statistics show that the ma
jority Of these accidents are due to
the carelessness and thoughtlessness
an automobile driver take the same
precaution that street cars do before
crossing over railroad STOP,
LOOK AND LISTEN?
How long will the public stand for
the chances being taken by automobile
drivers when their lives are at stake?
Less than one minutes time will be
lost in stopping at railroad crossings
to see that the way is clear before
crossing the track.
Owners of automobiles as a rule
are among our best and most highly
respected citizens, and they will not |
hesitate to get back of any reason
able movement to protect the life and |
limbs Of themselves and their friends. |
People, just at the present time, |
cannot seem to picture themselves ly-
ing dead or injured through careless
driving, SO they continue to dodge |
1eath by hair, to skip out of the |
way just in time with their machine |
over railroad tracks AS a |
'esult there comes day when the skip |
S not in time, all due to taking a |
chance. WHY TAKE A CHANCE?
Few people seem to be on the
lob to preserve their own life. It's |
he same old story. They walk the
racks and cross them in sort of |
rance apparently expecting the en-
yineer to stop the train. The result
s generally death The only solu-
ion is: Watch out for yourself and in
ioing so you will save others. Many
lines in ones life you have noticed
hat the line Of the least resistance
eads person on to serious accidents
so don't take the chance. 'Tis a good
warming this, Avoid depending upon
he man who does not stop, look and
listen before crossing a railroad track
With an automobile"