Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-10-19
The Careful Crossing Campaign.


The Careful Crossing Campaign, de-
signed TO warn automobile divers and
others to be cautious at railroad grade
crossings, which began June LIST and
ended September 30th, was a crafty
ing success SO far as the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad is concerned.
Figures are not yet available from
all the railroads Of the country, which
took part in the campaign, and it may
be a week or two before the Safety
Section Of the American Railway AS
ISOLATION, which conducted the cam
paign, has reports from all lines and
combines them. II the Baltimore &
Ohio's average Of reduction of acct
dents is maintained on all the rail-
roads, the expense Of the drive will
have been well spent.
Actual collisions between trains and
automobiles were reduced on the Bal
timore & Ohio 10 per cent, as COM
pared with the accidents in the same
four months last year. This in spite
of the fact that there was IL per cent
increase in the number Of automo-
biles registered in the country. II
seemed to indicate that drivers had
given consideration to the campaign
slogan, Gross Crossings Cautiously"
and it is the earnest desire OF rail-
road officials that the lesson will not
be forgotten.
There was a reduction Of II per
cent in all kinds OF accidents at cross
ings, including those to pedestrians,
automobiles, other vehicles, etc. Pc
destrians were especially careful when
passing over the tracks, for only two
persons we're killed and three injured
One of the persons killed and two of
those injured had impaired hearing.
One of these casualties occurred in
August, one in July and three in June.
The reduction in persons killed in
crossing accidents Of all kinds amount
ed to Al per cent and is regarded by
Baltimore & Ohio officials as a splen-
did record. There were 81 fatalities
last year, compared to p this year
The reduction in injuries amounted to
9 per cent
There were some narrow escapes
from casualties on the part Of auto
mobilists. Twenty of them ran into
gates that were lowered for the pas
sage of trains. These collisions prob
ably saved the lives Of these careless
drivers. There we're ten other ma
chimes driven into the sides of trains |
moving over the crossings or standing
on them. In two of these latter acct
dents nine persons were injured, one |
machine containing eight persons, all
of whom were severely injured be-
cause the driver could not stop his |
car in time to prevent his striking
moving train.
There were 81 accidents out of a
total Of 1913, which had no right TO
occur at all, or 30 per cent were due |
to the absolute disregard of gates or
the fact that a train was already on |
the crossing. There seems to be lit
the chance at all of saving drivers of
this kind, but the Baltimore & Ohio
will still endeavor to convince them
that the cautious crossing Of tracks
is the only safe method. This plan
OF education includes the distribution
Of appeals to the drivers and check Tic |
up Of operations as they pass over tire |
tracks. When they fail to take pre-
cautions they are to be so notified by |
cards that are sent out to addresses
obtained through finding out the own
er Of the automobile license