The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-01
DEMAND FOR SAFER ROADS.

and safer roads and stronger bridges
has awakened the officers and di-
rectors of the American Road Build
ers' Association to the need for ac-
ton and the program committee has
provided for an exhaustive discussion
Of the subject at the Twelfth Ameri-
can Good Roads Congress and Thir-
teenth National Goods Roads Show to
be held in Chicago, January 16 to 20,
next.
The elimination of grade crossings
viii be one of the phases considered.
out of 1900 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
Pacific railroads, especially, have Been
heavy sufferers from grade crossing
accidents. On the Southern Pacafic
lines alone during the past three years
1909 motor cars and trucks We're
wrecked at grade crossings. In 400
cases, or more than 20 per cent, the
motorists deliberately ran into the
trains. In 122 instances autos plunged
through the crossing gates. Nine
crossing flagmen We're struck down.
In go 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. Forty three
cars actually collided with the danger
signals.
An investigation conducted recently
by the Maryland State Roads Com
mission demonstrated that most high
way accidents occur on long stretches
OF road instead of at the curves are
due to speeding or reckless driving,
rather than skidding.
A total of S4,500,00o was paid out in
death claims by American insurance
companies for the 10000 persons
killed on the highways last year. In
addition to the fatalities there were
i, 500, 900 on5fatal injuries.
Automobile fatalities in 1918 were
9,542. In 1919 the number Increased
to 9,s2G. Considering the 10000 ac-
cidents last year and basing their
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 go per-
sons were killed on New York State
roads and city streets during the first
six months this year. OF this num-
Der 403 met their death in New York
City.
At a recent dragging of space for
the good roads Show in Chicago
ninety-five per cent of the 10000
square feet of space was taken, break
o. all records and necessitating the
use OF additional buildings to house
the exhibits. Approximately $500, 600
worth Of labor saving road machinery
and appliances 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
more equitable distribution of taxation
for the construction and maintenance
of highways. Last year federal,
state and municipal taxes on motor
vehicles reached the staggering sum
of 1916, 100 000-equivalen to S34 per
car. Governors of states, county COM
missioners and mayors of cities
throughout the country are being
asked to appoint delegates to the con-