Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-04-23
Grade Crossing
Stop Law

which 1873 were caused by au-
tomobile drivers trying to beat
the train over the crossing; 90
accidents from autos stalling on
the track. and SO others drove
Into crossing gates.
Every one of these 30l acct
dents were due to failure to
stop, look and listen;" every
one easily prevented by reason
able caution.
Out of the total of 1874, only
two accidents were caused by
negligence of railroad employ
ees, the report states, while
driving in front of a train got
six and eight others were due
to intoxication of the auto driv-
er. Stopping cars too close to
the railroad track accounted for
II, defective auto brakes II,
and 40 people deliberately
drove into moving trains, and
three from miscellaneous caus.
es.
These figures are given in a
statement issued by General
Agent Grirnshaw of the Sea-
board Air Line, who says rail
road crossing accidents take a
heavy toll of life in those states
which have no grade-crosing
STOP laws in force.
Mr.. Grirnshaw compares 9TH
er states with Virginia, during
Virginia's first year under the
stop law, July. 1922, to June,
1923, as follows:
North Carolina had 8 per
cent fewer autos than Virginia
for the same period, with 95 per
cent casualties.
South Carolina, AZ per cent
fewer cars; 4 per cent more
casualties.
Georgia, with IA per cent
fewer cars had 90 per cent more
casualties.
"Then in July, 1928, the North
Carolina stop law became effec-
tive" says Mr. Grimshaw, land
the first five months operation Of
this law, compared with sane
period in 1922 when stop law
was not in effect, shows rs per
cent less accidents; 65 per cent
human lives sacrificed, and Sd
per cent less persons injured, or
in actual numbers during this
period in 1922, los crossing ac-
eidents, % persons killed, SO per
ons injured, and in 1928, 70
crossing accidents, 8 persons kill
ed, q persons injured.
Therefore, it will be seen that
the stop law is designed to pro
tect all, but especially the care
less and reckless drivers and
those under their care. Prudent
and careful drivers will not be
Inconvenience by law of this
character, because they stop.
look and listen regardless Of
whether the law demands it or
not.
"From the foregoing, should
we not give first chought to our
safety rather than to our desira
to reach our destination, or con
tlnue on our journey al unia-
terrupted speed regardless of
railroad crossings?
During the last few wears we
nave seen many of our dirt roads,
which at times were well nigh in.
passable, turned into hard-sur-
faced speedways, so constructed
as to allow the maximum speed
OF almost any make of automo-
bile. With the good roads has
come great increase in the
number of automobiles being
continuously driven over these
highways.
AS a result Of conditions de-
scrlbed above, railroad crossing
accidents are resulting in injury
and death to many persons and
1t is a known fact that more than
ninety per cent of these acct
dents are the result of reckless
drivers, their failure to heed
warning given by approaching
traln, or observe danger signals
and crossing signs provided bv
the railroads at all public cross
lngs. 1t is apparent that most
of these accidents could and
should be prevented.
In order to protect all. but
especially the careless and reck-
less drivers, and those under
their care, twenty-one states re-
quire automobiles to stop at rail
way crossings. Many states ap-
preciating the benefit to be de-
rived from this law have adopt-
ed what is known as the Boule-
ward Stop Law, requiring auto
mobiles to come to full stop be-
fore entering certain boulevards."
From the figures submitted
by Mr.. Grimshaw, it is evident
that the stop law is having its
effect.
Such a law was proposed last
year, but the Georgia Legisla-
ture failed to pass it. IF such
a law reduces accidents in
Georgia as it has in other states,