Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-02
SAFER ROADS
AND BRIDGES

The growing demand for wider ana
safer roads and stronger bridges mas
awakened the officers and directors
of the American Road Builders AS.
ISOLATION to the need for action and
the program committee has provided
for an exhaustive discussion OF the
subject at the Twelfth American
Good Roads Congress and Ihlr-
teenth National Good Roads Show to
be held in Chicago, January 1t to
20, next.
The elimination of grade crossings
will be one of the phases considered.
Out Of ~ 900 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, APP
preaching the railroad tracks at reck
less speed and without taking due
notice of approaching trains.
The Pennsylvania and Southern
Pacific railroads, especially, have
been heavy sufferers from grade
crossing accidents. On the Southern
Pacific lines alone during the past
three years 1909 motor cars ana
trucks were wrecked at grade eros
sings. In 400 cases, or more than
20 per cent, the motorists deliberate
ly ran into the trains. In l22 IN
stances autos plunged through the
crossing gates. Nine crossing flag
men were struck down.
In $40 cases in which motorists ran
in front of the trains 1856 persons
were killed and 405 were injured. In
400 cases motor cars stalled on the
crossing and were demolished. Forty
three cars actually collided with the
danger signals.
An investigation conducted recent
ly by the Maryland State Roads
Commission demonstrated that most
highway accidents occur on long
stretches of road instead Of at the
curves and are due to speeding or
reckless driving rather than skiddlng
A total of S4,5O0,000 was paid out
in death claims by American insur-
ance companies for the 10000 per-
sons killed on the highways last year.
In addition to the fatalities there
were 100000 non fatal injuries.
Automobile fatalities in 1893 were
9,542. In 1919 the number increased
to 1926. Considering the ~ COO
accidents last year and basing their
calculations 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
persons were killed on New York
State roads and city streets during
the first six months this year. OF
this number 400 met their death in
New York City.
At a recent drawing Of space for
the good roads sho win Chicago %
per cent Of the 10000 square feet of
space was taken, beraking all records
and necessitating the use of addi-
tional buildings to house the exhibits
Approximately 81 100000 worth of
labor saving road machinery and APP
planes 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 taxa
ton for the construction and main
tenance Of highways. Last year Fed
eral, state and municipal taxes on
motor vehicles reached the stagger-
ing sum of 16,720,000 equivalent to
S34 per car. Governors Of states.
county commissioners and mayors of
cities throughout the country are
being asked to appoint delegates to
the congress.