The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-08-18
DRIVE WITH
CARE And LIVE.
DR.. Davis Thinks Care
less Driving Is I'm
fair to Others
Editor Idaho Republican:

Editor Idaho Republican:
A few days ago the papers con-
tanned an account of twelve persons
killed by having their automobiles
hit by trains. Think of it, and this
occurring with increased frequency
Twelve lives snuffed out as quickly
as you could turn a hand over
twelve lives sacrificed needlessly by
criminal carelessness on the part Of
automobile drivers. The increased
use Of the auto and the increasing
number Of fatalities are causing
railroad officials and trainmen in
particular an unusual amount of
worry, Notwithstanding the errone-
Gus idea Of the public that the rail-
roads don't care a cuss." This
Is all talk, and decidedly wrong
impression. The railroads and train
men especially do care. 1t is COM
mon knowledge among officials that
many engineers are worried into al
most nervous wrecks by the daily
the childish risks automobile driy-
ers take in lodging danger at grade
crossings. 1t is not fair and you.
Mr.. Auto Driver, have no right to
put this added strain upon the rail-
way employees. g qs9se ;.Aa
In talking with parties whose car
had been struck by . train they
told me, II guess our minds were
not on our business for the track
was straight and unobstructed for
five miles," What right has q per-
son to drive up to crossing with
out their minds being on their bust
ness? gs IN tsN. p4tsas4 ef;4.
When a train strikes car you will
Invariably hear that old. old. story
that the train never whistled for the
crossing. It is q rare case where
. strsin-with q u, knowledge of
grsde crossing accidents does not
whistle Tor. a crossing and taking
It. for granted that 1t did not whis-
tie makes no difference with you.
II you. Mr.. Auto Driver, don't take
enough interest in your own welfare
and to the ones intrusted to your
care, I'd be ashamed to delegate It.
to someone else. 1t may be YOU
didn't hear it whistle, but it's your
duty to stop, look and listen, II nee
essary. Is your business or pleas
ure so important that you must
beat the train over the crossing and
then many times stand on the other
side and watch 1t 90 by? Right here
in our own city we have known times
when the crossing flagman has had
to dodge cars or be run over by
auto drivers in their mad and in
sane haste to beat the train. hope
to see the time when cities will make
1t criminal ,offense for anyone
to attempt crossing track with
car when flagman is in his posi-
tion.
There is hardly question but !
that 100 per cent of all grade cross J
Ing accidents are due to pure care !
on the part Of the auto driv- .
er - how can 1t be otherwise?
In the first place, trains must run.
They must make good time. If they
don't do this no one will complain
quicker than you.
You, Mr.. Auto Driver, will drive
your car across the country for a
miles and yet you will al
low train to strike you in small
distance of ten feet. 1t costs the
railroads a lot of money to pay for
your cussed carelessness and there
s nothing just, fair or right about it.
Why should you want to be reim-
,ursed for damages or injuries when
10, one is to blame but you? OF
course, the rule is to always con-
,ider the railroad to blame simply
because they are perhaps able finan-
,ially to stand it, but just the same,
his is not justice.
The railroads are putting great
effort In and spending lots of mon
~ on the safety first" idea, which
8 doing a great amount of good in
he reduction of minor, severe and
atal injuries to employees. and to
he public generally. and if you, Mr..
Auto Driver, would only do your part
,r at least use ordinary horse sense
when you come to crossing by al
Ways BEING SURE and giving the
rain the RIGHT OF WAY, it would
70 the means of saving hundreds of
ives, thousands of injuries and
much property and reduce the men
al strain of the great body of rail
way officials and trainmen and cause
great falling off in the number Of
Widows and orphans now made daily
" your carelessness.
J. B. DAVIS, M. D.
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