Show Pay Attention At Crossin Crossings s 1 Most grade crossing acci- acci happen dents because drivers do not nol pay attention to the round railroad advance warning warning warning warn warn- ing sign and other protective devices at crossings a Utah Safety Council official warned today THE TIlE GREATEST killer at crossings is a habit pattern pattern pattern pat pat- tern slowly developed over a period of time by drivers in which they ignore railroad fail slow slowdown slowdown slowdown warning signs to down and look for trains said Leo H H. H Barlow Council Vice President for Traffic This careless habit evolves because in many cases the crossing is familiar to the driver and he has crossed safely almost daily without seeing a train Barlow said i He habitually ignores the round warning sign and negle neglect neg- neg le lect to slow down BUT ONE day he explained a train will be coming and the driver will not be able to stop He UHe skids onto the track in front of the train or crashes into the side of the engine and andis andis is killed or seriously injured Barlow said IN ALMOST half of the accidents accidents accidents acci acci- dents drivers violate mechanical cal Barlow said Most of this protection protection protection tion is by audible and visual signals but lowered gates and watchmen are also The official stated that during during dur dur- I ing 1969 nine persons were killed in accidents involving a motor vehicle and train IT IS OBVIOUS Barlow 1 continued that motorists in increasing numbers do not nol begin begin be 1 gin to decelerate in time when they see the railroad warn warning sign and In 34 percent per per- pert cent of the grade crossin crossing accidents dents the motor vehicle runs into the side of the train He said the railroads a and nd highway and safety officials urge every motor vehicle operator operator operator op op- to make it a basic defensive driving rule rile to al always always ale al- ways watch for the round advance railroad warning sign sigi and to slow down and be prepared prepared prepared pre pre- pre pre- pared to stop when they see I it j |