New Britain herald., 1919-10-06
sRADE CROSSINGS AND MOTOI;
 CARS.

Another fatal accident at Clayton Crossing, and one in which at least Mour people lost their lives, has been Sdded to the unsavory record of that Particular spot Yesterday John Nnisko, his family, and d friend and H is wife and youngsters in a touring Ear were struck, broadsidc, by an en- Mine and dragged along the track un- l, bruised and crushed, the car, End the humans were cast from the to lie beside the rails. a8 he accident may have been partially lne fault of the driver but it is indi- sectly the fault of the New Haven load and the people of New Britain. 8 ccidents previously have called Mttention to the need of gates at the 8Rrossing but we have been satisfied Eyed last night. Shall we wait for Nnother?
 M It is true that tho crossing is sit NRated in a district that Is not thickly Xettled, but it is on road that is 6aveled a great deal There are an 8 numerable number of machines avel by that route on their way a stween New Britain and Hartford z nd a large number of people are SMlily exposed to the danger of trains &he visibility is extremely low, par cularly from the west side of the acks because of buildings. There 2 @ bell at the crossing to warn bproaching motorists of the tmmi- ence of a train. It is a gentle thing @ best, that bell, and ia thoroughly practical as a warning. We are # Id that it was not ringing yester-
 Ny, which, if true, merely demon rates the fallibility of mechanical M Mntrivances designed 10 give motor
 s their notice of danger. But, even
 it rang, 1t is an inadequate signal. HN Nany a motorist has approached the 2 ossing, noticed that all appeared to M clear and has arrived practically @ the tracks, to hear the gentle lkle of the gong, for the first time. sually the train is some ways off, Ewing the proper margin of safety, M metimes 1t is not. The Safety HE rst" advocate will argue that the H otoiist should not proceed until he H@ sure that the track is clear bell or 8 bell wherein he Is perfectly right
 he unfortunate part of it is that in
 is spot 1t is practically impossible
 ascertain the amount of traffic on
 To rails until one is upon the cross
 g. Ii is more practical to go
 cad than back up, then.
 The New Haven Road has been en-
 ting the support of the newspapers
 Safety First" campaign, one
 lat $ destined to keep trespassers
 the railroad right of way This
 has. been cheerfully given, as a
 atter of public interest The com
 ny has also hired special men to
 
 Ae the right of way We do not M d fault with that. But after adopt
 y this method of protecting itself bm possible injuries to individuals,
 is only right that it should also
 ke into account the safety of the
 tomobilists and take some steps to
 mady the anticipated and untrust-
 rthy methods of warning that are
 w in use on many crossings here
 outs
 MThe Clayton crossing is probably Me most dangerous one, the most & edy of imme ediate attention. But
 ere are others, the one at the foot M East street, for instance
 MThG New Haven road has had the
 pport of municipalities, police au- prities and newspapers because the
 an is right. Now what is the road R ng to do about the grade cross- M Is?