Arizona republican., 1922-03-05
The Railway Crossing Again

Thirteen persons were killed at railway cross
inx in Ohio on Friday when automobile bus was
hit by train. We suppose not one OF the 3e5 days
Of the year passes without crossing accident some
where In the country. The number Of such casual
ties increase year by year in about ratio Of the
increase OF automobiles
crisly warnings like this one have the slightest
effect Naturally not since drivers are always sure
that they can beat the trains across. That others
have iscaculated does not impair their confidence
in themselves.
onIv a few weeks ago two or three persons were
killed at q Graham county crossing. As train was
approaching an automobile was drawn up by
sensible driver on one side Of the track. horse
drawn vehicle was stopped on the other side The
engineer. watching these precautions had every
reason to think that he would have clear track
But after the automobile had come to stand
stilI another machine with driver who believed ne
could beat the train passed and arrived at
the crossing simultaneously with the locomotive
There was subsequently good deal OF trouble IN
clearing the right Of way Of the litter Of the auto
mobile and fragments Of human bodies
we have had good deal OF desuItory or isolated
legislation to reduce the danger at country crossings
In some cases grade crossings have been eliminated
and other precautions have been imposed upon the
railroads but until recently It had not been assumed
BY lawmakers that any obligation might rest upon
the drivers OF vehicles who with the permission OF
the statutes went to their death by thousands annu-
alIy California we understand. now has o law re-
ourinr automobiles to to full stop fifty feet
from every railway crossing, whether there Is train
In sight or not. That is rule that has been IN
force with respect to trains many states for three
quarters OF q century. Every train approaching
crossing Of another railway must come to a stop.
There are three ways in which collisions between
trains and vehicles at crossings, though TWO
Of the ways may be brought under one heading. The
driver estimates that he beat the train across
but miscalcuates the terrific speed OF the latter
sometimes though. he gives himself an apparently
~nYf,cient margain OF safety and then something
happens on the track and his engine dies an instant
before he does the other case the driver absent
mindedly goes upon the track But most tragedies
at crossings result from miscalcuiation.
II drivers were required by Law to come to stop
say fifty feet from crossing. there would be no
races with trains The driver Of the machine could
not get up speed within that distance. Moreover
he would remain in low or second speed until ne
had crossed the track. thus greatly reducing the
danger OF killing his engine on grade crossing.
In = short time drivers inclined to absent minded
ness would take the warning Of stop signals.
such an arrangement would often appear 70 %
= needless Inconvenience to driver approaching
crossing straightaway with clear view OF the track
for = half-naile or more. But rule cannot be made
effective unless it is made general and rigid as
to cause its observance to be adopted as q habit