The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1921-12-30
Demand Growing for Wider
And Safer Roads

The growing demand for wider and
safer roads and stronger bridges has
awakened the officers and irectors of
the American Road Builders Associ-
alton to the need for action and the
program committee has provided for
an exhaustive discussion of the sub
ject at the Twelfth American Good
Roads Congress and Thirteenth Ma
tional Good Roads Show to be held in
Chicago, January 16 to 20, next.
The elimination Of grade crossings
will be one of the phases considered.
Out of 10000 persons killed on the
highways of the country last year,
1000 were struck down at grade
crossings. Investigation has shown
also that one motorist in every three
is careless at grade crossings, ap-
preaching the railroad tracks at reck-
less speed and without taking due no.
tice of approaching trains.
The Pennsylvania and Southern Pa
cific railroads, especially, have been
heavy sufferers from grade crossing
accidents. On the Southern Pacific
lines alone during the past three
years 1909 motor cars and trucks
were wrecked at grade crossings. In
400 cases or more than 20 per cent,
the motorists deliberately ran into the
trains. In 1872 instances autos plung-
ed through the crossing gates. Nine
crossing flagmen were struck down.
In 97O cases in which motorists ran
in front of the trains 1876 persons were
killed and 405 were injured. In 400
cases motor cars stalled on the cross
ing and were demolished. Firty-
three cars actually collided with the
danger signals.
An investigation conducted recent
ly by the Maryland State Roads Com
mission demonstrated that most high
way accidents occur on long stretches
Of road instead Of at the curves and
are due to speeding or reckless driv-
ing, rather than skidding.
A total Of S4,500,000 was paid out
in death claims by American insur-
ance companies for the 10000 persons
killed on the highways last year. In
addition to the fatalities there were
100000 non-fatal injuries.
Automobile fatalities in 1918 were
9,542. In 1919 the number increased
to 1896. Considering the 10000 acci-
dents last year and basing their cal
culations on the experiences of st.
Louis, Cleveland, New York, Chicago
and other cities for the first six
months of 1921 experts estimate that
this years fatalities on the highways
will reach $4,000. A total of 600 per-
sons were killed on New York state
roads and city streets during the first
six months this year. Of this number
403 met their death in New York City.
At a recent drawing of space for
the good roads show in Chicago 95
per cent of the 10000 square feet Of
space was taken breaking all records
and necessitating the use of addition
al buildings to house the exhibits. Ap-
proximately $1,5O0,0O0 worth of Ia.
bor-saving road machinery and app'i
ances will be exhibited.
At the good roads congress to be
held during the exposition, many sub
jects Of Importance to highway users
will be discussed, including the
strengthening of bridges to carry the
ever-increasing truck loads and a
more equitable distribution Of tax
alton for the construction and main
tenance Of highways. Last year Fed
eral state and municipal taxes on mo-
tor vehicles reached the staggering
sum of 1915, ,72O, ,O00-equivalent to
$84 per car. Governor Of states,
county commissioners and mayors of
cities throughout the country are be-
ing asked to appoint delegates to the
congress.