Evening star., 1936-05-03
State Programs for
Highway Safety
BY Frederic J. Haskin.

There appears to be an increasing con-
sciousness on the part Of the American
public that something more than plati-
tudlnous warnings must be produced II
the annual death toll on automobile
streets and highways is to be cut down.
In times past there was much criticism
directed to railroad companies and city
traction lines because of fatalities at
grade crossings and elsewhere A later
survey of the situation reveals that these
agencies were never the offenders that
individual owners and operators of the
millions of automobiles on the highways
have become.
Although railroads, in cooperation
with local authorities or acting alone,
have eliminated more than four grade
crossings each day for the last decade,
there has been no net gain. In 1926,
there were 233.701 grade crossings over
Glass railroads and now there are 234.-
l78, an increase of ATT crossings-477
more menaces to life and limb.
Yet it does not seem reasonable 10
blame the railroad companies. In the
very period in which there has been this
addition to grade crossings 14,476 were
eliminated at high cost. While grade
crossing is being eliminated by construc-
ton of bridge or an underpass, another
one is being created. Perhaps it is a.
real estate speculator who owns property
abutting on railroad or even lying on
both sides Of the track. In subdiviong
his property and cutting it up into lots
and streets he may create half dozen
new grade crossings.
1t becomes increasingly apparent that
some better scheme of planning must be
undertaken if the toll of life in this
field is to be reduced but grade crossing
fatalities are but a small part Of the
total. The planning must embrace every
kind of traffic activity.
There has been a considerable amount
Of local legislation designed TO decrease
the killing and manning of persons on
the streets and highways. The liability
of drivers has been increased and cam
paigns have been carried on aimed at the
careless and reckless drivers. The courts
have co-operated in many places not
only imposing heavy fines and, in some
cases, prison sentences with no fine alter
native, but depriving drivers of their per-
mitS for varying periods. At the National
Capital, for example first offense re-
repeated offenses will bring permanent
deprivation. The driver is sentenced TO
permanent pedestrianism or to being a
passenger. He may not drive again. He
has proved himself too serious menace
to his felloW-men.
The State of Iowa has taken drastic
steps in an effort to bring about real
and lasting reform. II has organized the
Iowa State Safety Council In New Eng
land the New England Council has been
active in fostering safety work and in
a number of other States new realiZs-
ton of the importance of preventive traf-
fic work has been made manifest.
The Iowa plan is receiving no Gttle'
attention and it is not unlikely that 1t
will be used as model for organizations
in other States. Five years ago certain
Iowa leaders were brought together by
the American Legion and undertook TO
do something about safety, but not much
came of the gesture. 1t was realized that
the crusade had to be made more init
mate. So last Winter another meeting
was held and the organization Of the
State by counties began. Already half
of Iowas SO counties have safety coun-
crossing.
There is general State Council which
is made up of representatives of various
Statewide organizations and repre-
sentative from each of the SO counties.
But more important and reaching down
to the rank and file of Iowa citizens are
the separate county councils. These
have individual members. Each men,
Der pays fee of so cents. Ten cents OF
this goes to the propaganda work OF the
State Council. The rest is used for local
work and for the purchase of METALLIC
emblem to be placed on the members
cars. There is distinctive design for
each county.
The National Safety Council. coun-
try-wide organization, has given the
Iowa council the benefit of its direction.
While safety everywhere is urged-safety
in bath tubs, on stepladders and on pol
ished floors is part of the general pro-
grant is traffic safety which is being
stressed.
The Iowa council is striving to impress
upon every member his own personal res
sponsibility. Safety can be achieved not
by repeated statements of simple rules,
DuI DN d TcdllIdIIOl IildG CFcIy pcISOii
must obey the rules. Each member in
Iowa is required to take the following
pledge and to think of it constantly as
a real and vital obligation:
To drive carefully and at reasonable
speed.
To observe all traffic signals and stop
signs.
To refrain from passing on hills.
To take curves cautiously and on
the right side.
To signal my intentions before turn
ing or stopping.
To take nothing for granted with re-
gard to the other driver.
To give strict attention to my driving
and to drive only when physically and
mentally fit.
To have my car inspected at least
twice year for brakes lights and other
safety features.
To guard the safety of all children as
I would that of my own.
To look upon the safety OF my pas
sengers as my personal trust and re-
sponsibility.
To be as courteous in my car as I
am in my home.
To obey all rules of safety in my home
and at my work and as a pedestrian on
the streets.