Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-23

accidents increased, $50 per cent: (d)
motor vehicles increased from o to
15,O92,17Z.
I'm 1923 there were produced in
the United States, 4.014, 900 automo-
biles. This represents an increase of
23 per cent over the preceding year.
There is at the present time one au-
tomobile for every seven of our pop
ulation.
Last year there were 226S per-
sons killed and 6314 injured at rail-
road highway crossings. 1t Is esti-
mated, based upon previous Inter-
state Commerce Commission reports,
that during the present year $500
persons will be killed and approx
mately 5000 Injured. Every day in
the year 7.6 persons will be killed
and 21.S injured. This is equivalent
to one person killed every three
hours. day and night, and one per-
son injured per hour. so per cent of
all crossing accidents involves motor
vehicles.
THAT automobile at the railroad
highway crossing is a serious problem
and should command the attention Of
every thoughtful citizen.
Separation Of Grades
"The ideal solution Of the railroad
highway crossing problem is separa-
ton of the grades. This is not attain
able with 256,362 grade level crossings
on Glass I Railroads alone. In 1922,
the latest available figures, 705 grade
level crossings were removed, but the
net increase Of crossings for the year
was 1856, practically all of which were
added without railroad solicitation.
we oddod A.
would be physically impossible to re-
move the present crossings in the life
time Of anyone now living, because Of
the serious interference with absolute
ly essential traffic movement, the con-
structional and labor problems involv-
ed and the wholly prohibitive cost.
Several years ago conservative en-
gineers estimated the average cost of
crossing elimination, city and coun-
try, at $4,000 per crossing. These
figures must be revised and it is now
believed that the average cost will ap-
proximate $4,000 per crossing. 1t is
easily seen that the stupendous sum
of $4,000, 100000 may be involved;
more than the Interstate Commerce
Commissions preliminary valuation of
all of our railroads. If the money
could be borrowed it would cost nearly
d DllllOn year LUZ lHlcICS<
alone.
Value of Organized Effort
1.-THE value of organized effort for
safety has been demonstrated upon the
railroads through the reduction of
deaths of employees on duty from 1924
in 1907 to 1867 in 1922. This result
has been achieved notwithstanding a
vastly larger force of employees in
Saryipa during fba latter wear
ut is logical to assume that edu-
cation of the travelling public to the
exercise of reasonable degree Of care
when approaching and passing over
railroad crossings will have good eff
feet in reducing such accidents.
"Basically, railroad crossings should
be constructed as safe as possible for
highway travel and be uniformly .des-
ignated. Due and timely warning
should be given Of the approach of
trains. The traveller upon the high
way, particularly the driver of auto
mobile, should be charged with full re-
sponsibility for his conduct in ap-
preaching and passing over railroad
crossings.
Duty Of Drivers
EVERY driver over a railroad-high-
way crossing owes to himself, his pas
sengers and to the employees and pas
sengers on trains, positive duty to
cross crossings cautiously. This SIM
pie procedure will in itself save many,
possibly hundreds Of lives.
: To-day 1t is recognized that acct
dents at railroad crossings are not pri-
marily railroad problems. Analysis
shows it is the public which suffers the
pain, mutilation, death and distress in
such miShaDS. and finally nayS
THE public may mean you'll"