The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-06-28
SAFETY CONFERENCE
FINDS 100000 DEATH
TRAPS IN Country
Majority Protected by Mere
Signs Only, and Some
Not at All Marked
CARE BY AUTOISTS URGED
Enforcement Of Law Against
Speed Greater Than rs
Miles Favored
CARE BY AUT0IsTs URGED

Miles Favored
Reduction in the speed Of automo-
biles when approaching railway grade
crossings to Is miles an hour II the
view Of the tracks is not clear and
unobstructed for at least 400 feet in
both directions, Is defined by the third
national conference on street and
highway safety as an essential pre-
caution in preventing accidents at
these places.
If the obstruction to view is x
treme, or there is other unusual
danger, the conference favors a COM
plete stop before entering on the
tracks.
If the operator of the vehicle can
see the tracks for 400 feet or more in
both directions, q speed of Is miles an
hour at the crossing is indicated by
the conference. The reckless driving
penalty, in the view of the conference,
should be enforced against drivers
who pass over crossings at speeds In
excess of Is miles al hour.
Nearly 5000 Accidents
Crossings should not be entered
upon at any time, according to the
conference, until the vehicle operator
has exercised due precaution, and has
definite assurance that a train Is not
approaching from either direction.
In considering the crossing problem
the conference pointed out that not
withstanding the work of eliminating
grade crossings, the expenditure for
which has averaged $50, 900, 900 q year
for the last three years, the number
Of new crossings Is increasing faster
than others r being removed by
viaducts or underpasses. In 1928
there were 1904 crossings eliminated,
and 2,068 new crossings were opened
to traffic.
While the accidents at crossings
have remained. at slightly less than
5000 a year since 1926, and there has
not been an ~appreciable increase in
the number Of deaths per year at such
places, still the number Of deaths per
year at such places, still the number
Of deaths In 1929 was 2,A85, and 6,004
others were injured -,
The situation is such that the con-
ference urgently declared. that pro-,
lection Of crossings through more
adequate signs, signals, and markings
as well as greater safety precautions
by which vehicle drivers, are essential
to reducing this phase Of the acci-
dent toll.
Points on Safe Crossings
OF the 4 10000 grade crossings In the
United States, 205 ,933 are protected
by fixed signs: SLOT have crossing
gates: 1927 are provided with ross
ing watchmen: 1904 have visible and
audible signals: $685. have visible sig
mails only: 4,572 have audible signals
only. and 4,941 have no signs OF
markings at all.
The conference stated that in order
to facilitate the prompt arrangement
of more adequate protection at cross
ings there should be q fair division Of
the costs. including the elimination Of
distractions to view and other haz-
ards, between tn state or county gov
ernments and the railroads. The
conference said:
Reducing physical hazards to q
minimum requires a practically level
and smooth highway surface over
the tracks for at least IS feet and
preferably so feet on each side: ap-
proach on grades not exceeding 4 or 5
per cent; widening the roadway at
crossings; avoidance of sharp turns
and functions within $50 feet; avoid
ance of standing railroad cars; parked
highway vehicles or other temporary
obstacles: and removal Of banks,
trees, shrubs, standing crops, build
ingS, billb0ardS or other permanent
instructions to sufficient view; special
are where artificial lighting Of cross
ings is practicable to locate the lights
so as to illuminate the fixed signs
without glare interfering with visibil-
ity."
Signs Required 1t Crossings
The conference recommended that
each crossing should be provided with
standard fixed signs. e. follows:
/. An advance sign at each high
way approach; in addition, on hard
surfaced, heavy Travelled highways,
and where railroad traffic Is fast Or
frequent, the standard form OF pave
ment markings approved by the
American Association Of State High
Officials.
2. II the view Of the track Is not
DISTRACTED and no special hazard
exists. q 25-mile speed sign: II the
view Is obstructed q l5-mile speed
sign: and II due to extreme limitation
Of view or other special hazard the
proper authority has designated the
crossing as one at which all vehicles
must stop, q standard stop sign;
where the speed or stop sign cannot
be zen sufficiently in advance. q
standard slow sign In advance Of the
stop sign.
3. At all crossings q standard rail-
road cross-buck sign carrying indica-
ton Of the number Of tracks In the
CASE Of multiple tracks.
At crossings where the movement Of
trains is frequent the conference be-
1ieYes that other means should be
provided to give warning to the vehi-
Gle driver. Such warnings, the con-
ference said, should consist Of auto
matte train approach signals Of either
wig-wag OF flashing lights, or man
ua1iy controlled gates, signals or
watchmen where frequent switching
movements. " shortness Of intervals
between trains require more prompt
indications and c~'earances OF the
4 crossing.
CONSIDER NIGHT LIGHTS
u-MN $50 4. - R--
success In Sacramento, officials of the
San Francisco Seals are considering
installation Of lighting equipment in