The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-11-29
ACTION NEEDED
TO SAVE LIVES
OF MOTORISTS
Proportion Of Accidents al
Crossings in u. $. Surpasses
Other Countries

Washington, -. g.. Nov. %. Cit |
ing the fact that the United States /
has the highest rate OF grade cross |!
ing fatalities Of amy country for |
which reports are available, the
American Automobile Association to /
day urged a national concerted effort |
To safeguard the lives Of motorists (
ut our thousands Of unprotected
grade crossings.
With forty-three legislatures SEIZED
uled to meet during the coming win
ter, Thos, l.. Henry, president OF the
a. A. A., asserted that the matter of
Il constructive program relative to
the grade crossing evil should BE-
placed IN the foreground, rs far as
safety legislation is concerned.
He pointed out that hitherto the
attltuae has been very much one of
"Let George do il" and that this
fact is largely responsible for the
lack Of a national constructive pro-
gram.
Many Crossing Accidents
"Of close TO 10000 people who lose
their lives in street and highway
accidents each year, approximately
10 per cent are caught in the death
traps of our grade crossings. This
is a far higher ratio than that Of any
country for which we have records.
As compared with il, the figures for
Great Britain, for instance are IN
significant. In the latter country, the
Minister Of Transport last year in
vestigated 447 serious highway acct.
dents. and Of these only occurred
at grade crossings"
This disproporti0n, the A. A. A..
executive pointed out, cannot be
Il hn L. lac nf
lean drivers.
IL am convinced IN my own mind
he said, "that we are tagging behind
in protective measures necessary to
cope with this situation. Let US re
fleet for a moment that in the period
1917 to 1925 the total number OF re-
ported grade crossing accidents In
the United States was 1851 killed
and 39.l4S seriously injured. Men,
women and children cannot be valued
in dollars and cents, but ! believe
that the cold figures Of an insurance
nctuary would sustain the position
taken by the A. A. A., namely that il
would pay every state in the Union
to have IL program and budget look.
ing to the ultimate elimination Oi
dangerous grade crossings, even as !;
measure for saving the wealth Of
human lie uGssTOyeG
Time for Action
"The time has come for action. W.
have had too much dilly dallying with
this problem. The railroads eanno
escape their responsibility in thu
matter and placards and posters o
an educational character are no
enough. The picture Of 4 rockies
driver trying to beat railroad trail
da inn ho all
we'll for the comic strips, but as
matter Of fact, the number of peopl
who try to beat the train is YER
small and the great majority Of tn
people who get killed are simpl
caught in death trap. Our ulti
mate aim must be to eliminate tn
grades, at least, the most dangerou
Of them.
mo one expects the railroads I
shoulder the entire cost, which woui
be tremendous. The general publ
must doubtless be prepared to shar
q part Of the burden. New York stat
has set good example in the bon
issue adopted for the purpose Of dom
away with grades. We know ths
total elimination will take time. Bu
the great trouble ut the moment
that new grades are overtaking u
ut as great rate as the old ones al
being removed. We are still in
vicious circle. The fact that it won!
require time and money is not a
excuse for failure to give the max
mum Of protection at the grades no
existing, nor is it an excuse for II
creation Of additional dangerot
ones"
Mr.. Henry concluded with the stat'
ment that he hoped every legislatul
that meets this winter will tai
cognizance of this matter ar
pledged the aid of the $50 mot.
clubs affiliated with the A. A. A.
the perfection Of any feasible pr
gram calculated to save the lives
fho motorists