The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-01-16
OFFICERS OF
SCHOOLS ARE
ASKED TO HELP
Rail Board Asks Help in Cam
paign to Reduce Crossing
Accidents

Cooperation Oh the ClcTkS Of the
$500 school districts in the state has
been asked by the state railroad
board in its campaign to reduce the
number of railroad crossing acct
dents.
In circular letter sent out to the
clerk of each school board. the state
body pointed to the old maxim that
IAN ounce of prevention is worth a
pound OF cure" and added, ait is our
belief that by instructing the chill
drcn upon the subject Of safety,
urging the exercise of the utmost
care at railroad crossings and point
ing out the dangers involved in play
ing around trains. YOU will accom-
piish results which will be evcrast-
ing. Impressions formed in youth are
not easily destroyed and it is in ap-
probation Of this fact that we are
addressing you upon this most i'm
portant matter.
Three transcontncntal railroads
operate throughout North Dakota.
These trunk lines arc fed by num-
erous branch lines, extending into
practically all sections of the state,
and iii the natural course Of events
It has been necessary to establish for
the convenience Of the public thou
sands Of grade crossings. Before the
advent Of the automobile these cross
Ings were not considered as unusu-
ally dangerous. since horse driven We
hicles were used and it was possible
to come to a stop almost instantly.
However, with the constantly increas-
ing number of passenger automobiles
and trucks operating at a high rate
OF speed over the highways. accidents
arc daily occurring ut railroad grade
crossings, resulting III great loss of
lie ard destruction of property
The Grade Crossing Law
In an endeavor to meet this stu
alton the legislature at its last scs-
SION enacted what is known as the
grade crossing law. By the provi-
slons OF this act the Board of kali-
road Commissioners is authorized
and instructed to require railroads
to post uniform signs ut crossings,
to order the installation of safety de-
vices, to remove the crossing by over
head or enterprises, to designate
crossings as stop crossings. where all
vehicles must come to stop and in
various ways to make crossings safe
for public use. We especially call
your attention to that portion Of the
law which provides wherever any We
hlcle carrying school children ap-
proaches any grade crossing it shall
be the duty of the driver thereof to
bring the same to Il complete stop be-
fore reaching the railroad track to
ascertain when such crossing can be
made IN safety. You must positively
instruct drivers of school busses to
stop at every crossing. This law
must be observed ).
Shows 100 Per Cent Increase
Consider these facts: On Decem-
Der 81. 1924, there were ll7,346 auto
mobiles tncluding trucks in opera
ton in North Dakota. From 1920 to
1924 the number of automobiles in
use IN this state increased 20 per
cent, while the increase in 1925 over
1924 was "a per cent. According to
records Of accidents filed with the
commission by railroads. the increase
in the number Of persons killed in
1926 was more than 100 per cent
greater than in 1924
"One out of every seven accidents
results from the automobile running
into the side of the train. One rail
road operating in North Dakota re-
ports - cars running into the side
OF the train during the month Of An
the month of September, during 1925.
In most, if not all cases, this is pure
carelessness on the part Of the
driver
We arc sure you recognize the
seriousness of this situation and de
sire to find a remedy. We know Of
no more impressive manner Of get
ting this before the public than by
Installing into the minds of the chill
dren the dangers surrounding these
crossings. May we ask you in your
official capacity to bring this matter
to the attention of the teachers in
your schools. discuss the subject at
farmers club meetings and in every
WaS cndeavor to create and arouse
public sentiment. We would be
pleased TO furnish additional Stats.
ties or other facts either for use in
schools and on the platform
We respectfully urge you to join
us III this campaign, to the end that
the year 1926 will see the elimina-
ton Of crossing accidents. We nave
suggested the following slogan for
1926, Shift gears at> railroad cross
ings'.'