Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-26
.BLAMES DRIVERS
FOR CARELESSAESS
An Illinois Central Claim Agent
Talks Very sensibly Upon
Crossing Collisions.

That the majority of the deaths
and injuries caused by collisions be-
tween automobiles and trains at
public railroad crossings are due
mostly to the carelessness and reck-
lessness of the auto drivers and not
through any fault of the railroads is
the opinion of Claim Agent j. T.
TAFT, of the Illinois Central. Mr..
TAFT, who has served as claim agent
for the past forty years has during
the past few years devoted the great
Ter part of his time investigating
deaths and injuries caused by col
lisions at railway crossings between
trains and autos.
In speaking of the causes of these
collisions, the effects and the efforts
railroad companies are making to
better the conditions at dangerous
crossings Mr.. TAFT says:
The unprecedented loss of life to
|say nothing of damages to property
caused by autos being struck by
trains on highway crossings has
reached such alarming proportions
as to make it a matter for serious
consideration. There are said to be
approximately $4,000 autos in
Iowa, or one for every thirteen per-
sons. This condition has been forced
on the people in a comparatively
short space of time and it seems to
have scarcely dawned upon them
instrument as is the locomotive
Competition and the demands of
the public have, in measure, fore
ed the railroad companies to become
speed crazy. 1t is or should be con-
ceded that they have the right Of
way, and assuming this to be true,
then it should also be conceded that
they cannot we'll reduce speed at the
various country roads that they pass
over. Iowa being a fiat and level
country, the expense of putting in
Overhead or underground crossings is
very high and it will take some years
to accomplish much in this respect.
These Improvements will come in
time. In fact, the Illinois Central
for one road in the state is putting
in quite number this year and
quite a number have been recon-
mended for next years work.
Few of those handling autos re-
alize the danger that they are in at
crossings. They put to much reli-
ance on signals from approaching
trains. In short they expect the rail-
way employees to take more care of
them than they do of themselves.
The courts are Weakening to this fact,
and quite recently two cases have
been decided in other states by the
District court, that it is the bound
en- duty of one driving an auto to
know that the way Is clear before
proceeding over a crossing.
eve are informed that the rail
way companies have made several
lists of latest busy crossings with the
result that only one in ten passing
over same even take the precaution
to look in either direction"
eve have been informed by one
who has investigated a larger mum!
Der of such accidents in the past few
years that in every case, save one,
| it was the drivers opinion that he
was wholly free from any negligence
in any respect and the railroad was
grossly negligent in every respect. In
the case excepted the driver said:
Had | been standing by the side of
track and seen a man do what I did,
| | would have sworn he was drunk or
crazy.
Common prudence would seem to
demand that the drivers of autos
give some little care to the safety OF
himself as we'll as his family. Many
of them should bear in mind that