The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-16
. very important function

form their very important function,
and we should require "a centcrcd
sign TO be displayed on each side of
the crossing in every instance. We
say this because from 10 to 20 per
cent Of crossing accidents are due to
! autos running into the sides OF
trains. At night Il flat or box ear, or
, an unliyhtcd coach standing on or
passing over Il crossing, is not so
readily disccrniblc as one might
imagine.
I'VE would also require that no
train or engine should back over Il
! crossing without Il man being on the
! crossing in advance to protect the
! movement unless the crossing is pro-
! tcctcd By automatic signals Operat-
! ing for the track over which the
! movement occurs.
+ Gates Should BE Manned Contin-
uOusIy
! "W here gates are maintained we
! would require that tho Operat or
, shall, when operating gates. be in
a position to sec conditions at the
crossing he is thus protecting. When
! gates are unattended or for any rca-
son become imperative conspicu-
! Gus sign should be displayed there
/ on advising tho public accordingly
. In fact, where gates are installed
! they should be operated for the full
81 hours, provided there is train
movement occurring throughout the
| entire period. In approaching 4
crossing protected by gates. drivers
! of vehicles assume there is an oper-
! a,or in attendance and if the cross
ing gates arc up the driver will pro-
| cccd TO cross upon the assumption
that he is doing so in safety. Many
! accidents occur under just such
conditions. Automatic flash lights,
| wie-way or bell signals which are in
! continuous operation while switch
| ing engines arc working, are also
subject Ia much criticism.
I'VE would also advocate ever
grade crossing he made level with
| the railways roadbed for distance
! Of not less than rs feet from the
nearest rail and thus entirely elm
. mate all inclined approaches within
!, that distance, and at or near cross
/. ings where the height Of the road
; he'd is more than II feet, above thc
! highway or lower than Is feet,
would scparat" the grade. .
Should Maintain Lookout
! I'VE would further require every
| locomotivc fireman to maintain {;
lookout at every public crossing eX-
cept where there is a head brakeman
| on his aeat box to relieve him of that
, duty.
| I've are Of the opinion that 'insuf-
| ficicnt recognition has been given
! by the proper authorities to the
/ many safety devices which would
more adequately protect grade cross
! ings.
I'VE would make it the duty }!
state commissions to institute an in
dependent investigation of every
grade crossing accident and give
wide publicity to the results of such
investigation. We believe this
would create public sentiment in
favor of careful driving, and the in
formation gained would in many
missions and railroads in arriving e
solution Of the problem.
More Accidents en- Straight Roads
"The straight road against the
curved road as a promoter Of acct
dents has been brought to the front
again by report of the North Shore
Motor Club of Wisconsin,, which
shows that OF the 1881 road acct
dents in that state, during the veal
1924, GOA occurred OH straight
roads while curves, hills, railwa!
crossings and other danger point!
! were responsible for but 937 acct
dents.
81 am not oblivious to the impor
lance of railroad crossing protection
but my difficulty is in suggesting
any new remedy. The various form
| Of railroad crossing protection now
in vogue seem to be as efficient a
!; any protection can be, but no pro
lection will wholly eliminate tho
danger Of grade crossings. I still
think that the most desirable Hnt
useful thing to do is to educate tt,
public and create public sent:men
that will not tolerate aarclessncss b!
autOmobilists ut grade crossings
This, in my Judgment. will do more
than anything else to prevent ,n
danger. This can best be accom-
plished through the press and Z ha
been my observation that careless
) autom obilists, for the past few years
: have been receiving 4 good deal o.
undesirable publicity through on
newspapers. The Commi s;i"ne:
| may DO we'll to give pubiiri,G t, 81
cases ci reckless drivin.: BY opera
torsof motor vehicles ov"r grad
crossings, and in that way ten. t.
discourage the practice. Tina. IS ;
policy which We arc ,oI!nwin, Il
our state as we'll as requiring tn
5 railroad TO use all reasonable cal,