The Monett times., 1922-06-23
CAREFUL CROSSING CAMPAIGN

! Under the auspices of the American
Railway Association, there was in.
augurated June L, and continuing un-
til September 30, 1922, a Careful
Crossing Campaign" its slogan being
"Cross Crossings Cautiously, having
for its purpose the prevention of re-
duction in the number of highway
crossing accidents involving railroad
trains, vehicles and pedestrians,
Throughout the country.
Cooperation in the plan mas been
assured by the United States Automo-
bile Chamber of Commerce, the Nat
ional Highway Traffic Association,
National Safety Council and numer-
Gus other organizations.
Such a campaign is necessary and
timely, as shown by the following
facts: In thirty years our country's
population increased 67e6. Crossing
accidents increased 345e6 in fatal and
652ac in injury cases. In 1920 auto
mobiles were involved in 1861 of all
crossing accidents. During that year,
1,791 persons were killed and SOFT
injured; of the latter number l6 died
subsequently from injuries received
at railroad crossings within the Unit
ed States.
There are two ways to reduce or
entirely stop such accidents. The
first in the public mind, is, elimina-
tion of the crossings. This is impos-
sible. There are 251 ,939 highway
crossings on Glass | Railroads alone
Railroads with revenue of over ST.
100000 annually in the United
States. Of this number 500 were
eliminated during 1919. At the same
rate of elimination it will take 629
years to dispose of these crossings
if no more are added. All the men
and money available would not be
sufficient to remove the crossings in
a life time.
Conservative estimates of the av-
erage cost of elimination fixed the
figure at approximately $4,000 per
crossing. This means S12,500, 900 900.
1t is evident that the immediate
question must be met by method
other than the elimination of cross
ings, which latter work will un-
doubtedly proceed as circumstances
permit.
Apparently the solution Of the
problem can be found in education.
This education should be joint on the
part of the railroads and the public.
1t is the duty of the railroads to
keep the crossings in good condition
for travel; give reasonable notice of
the existence of such crossings; and
see to it that the railroad employees
do their full duty in warning of the
of trains.
The railroads have learned the val
ue of organized efforts for safety
through the reduction of deaths Of
employees on duty from 1854 in 1917
to 2,578 in 1920, notwithstanding a
larger force of employees in service
during the latter year. Railroad em-
ployes as whole have unquestion-
ably attained higher degree of care
in the performance of their duties.
AS education and discussion of safe
ty matters are responsible for the
results obtained in employe
cases, it is logical to assume that
of the travelling public to
the exercise of a high degree of care
when approaching and passing over
railroad crossings, will likewise have
a good effect in reducing accidents.
While it is true the railroads have
a direct interest in checking these oft |
times most distressing accidents, vet
in the first and last analysis it is the
public itself which suffers the pain,
The mutilation, and the passing to the
Great Beyond, in addition to bearing
the financial burden.
The railroads feel warranted iii ex-
pecting the right-thinking people
throughout our land win lend their
actual and moral support to this hui
name and laudible campaign.
ST IOITTS STAR GIVES