The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1922-01-06
CHICAGO WILL BE THE SCENE
OF THIS YEARS CON-
VENTION
$4,000 PERSONS WE'RE KILLED
AT GRADE CROSSINGS IN THE
UNITED STATES IN THE
PAST YEAR

Inc growing demand for wider
and safer roads and stronger bridg-
es has awakened the officers and
members of the American Road
Builders association to the need
for action and the program COM
mittee has provided for an exhaus-
tive discussion of the subject at
the Twelfth American Good Roads
Congress and Thirteenth National
Good Roads Show to be held in Chi
cago, January 16 to 20 next.
The elimination of grade cross
ings will be one of the phases con-
sidered. Out of $4,000 persons kill
ed 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, approaching the railroad
tracks at reckless speed and without
taking due notice of approaching
trains.
The Pennsylvania and Southern
Pacific railroads, especially, have
been heavy sufferers from grade
ern Pacific lines alone during the
past three years 1909 motor cars
and trucks were wrecked at grade
crossings. In 400 cases, or more than
20 per cent the motorists deliber-
ately ran into the trains. In 1922
instances autos plunged through
the crossing gates. Nine crossing
flagmen were struck down.
In 97O cases in which motorists
ran in front of the trains 1876 per-
sons were killed and 4O5 were in
jured. In 400 cases motor cars
stalled on the crossing and were
demolished. Forty4three cars actu-
ally collided with the danger sig
nails.
An investigation conducted re-
Gently by the Maryland State Road
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 skid
ding.
A total of $4,500,OOO was paid out
In death claims (by American insur-
ance companies for the $4,000 per-
sons killed on the highways last
year. In addition to the fatalities
there We're 100000 non-fatal in
juries.
Automobile fatauties in 1918
ere 9,a42. In 1919 the number in
3eased to 9,826. Considering the
1900 accidents last year and bas-
ing their calculations on the ex-
perlences of ST. Louis, Clevelnd.
New York, Chicago and other cities
Tor the first six months of 1921 ex
perts estimate that this years IA
talities on the highways will reach
$4,000. A total of $50 persons were
killed ON New York State roads and
city streets during che first six
months this year. OF this number
4O3 met their death in New York
City.
At a recent drawing of space for
the good roads show in Chicago 95
per cent of the 10000 square feet of
space was taken, breaking all rec
ords and necessitat,ng the use of
additional buildings to house the
0AHiplts. approximately $1,000 900
worth of labor saving road machin-
cry and appliances will be exhibit
ed
At the good roads congress to be
held during the exposition, many
subjects 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
taxation for the construction and
maintenance of hfghwys. Last year
Federal, state and municipal taxes
on motor vehicles reached the stag
gering sum of S316.720, 900 equiv
alent to $34 per car Governors of
states, county commissioners and
mayors of cities throughout the
country are being asked to appoint