Winning Safety Essay by 15 year-old Glenn Cogswell, 1936

Note from the Editor: Try to imagine a 15 year-old of today writing something this elegant. This essay won first prize in Kansas and was sent to a national competition. For some reason, the rest of the last sentence was cut off when Glenn glued the article into his scrapbook.

The Grange and Highway Safety

It is a matter of record that the grange, the oldest and largest farm organization, has never failed to lead in any movement that was for the betterment of the country or any community. Therefore, it seems only natural that this great organization should lead the crusade for safety on our highways.

Before we can determine methods of fighting this great menace, we must face some of the facts. In 1936, 7,410 persons were killed because of exceeding the speed limit; 3,410 persons were on the wrong side of the road when their fatal moments arrived; 3,300 more drove off the highway to their death; 3,160 persons thought they had the right-of-way, and were killed. Reckless driving was responsible for 2,930 deaths and 2,520 other unfortunate drivers crashed to death because of cutting in, passing on curves and hills, failing to signal, etc., making a total of 22,730 deaths n which the driver was at fault, in 1936.

Many drivers blame their automobiles for their accidents, but in most cases that is a fimsy excuse, because in 93 percent of the accidents, the car was, before the accident, in good condition. Faulty brakes, defective steering apparatus, weak or no lights, and blow-outs contributed their part in wrecking 1,649,360 automobiles in 1936. Usually it is not the loose nut in the mechanism that causes the trouble, it is the “nut behind the wheel.”

Most drivers do not realize the time and distance that it takes to stop an automobile, until it is too late. Most of us consider 55 miles per hour a fairly reasonable speed on good highway, yet, with the average brakes, going 55 miles per hour, after danger looms, one second of inattention takes you 81 feet. A split-second of reaction takes you 59 more feet, and 151 more feet for actual braking, makes a total of 2291 feet. This will vary with the size of the automobile, condition of brakes, road, etc., and the driver’s time for reaction.

Although some people deny it, the number of accidents caused by alcohol have greatly increased since the repeal of prohibition. In 1936, 7.3 percent of fatal accident drivers, and 4.3 percent of non-fatal accident drivers had been drinking. If you drive – don’t drink; if you drink – don’t drive.

Nearly 1,000 tiny children were killed while they were learning to walk, and 1400 more, before they had learned to talk, in 1936. Grange members, as well as others should keep their children away from, and teach them to fear the highways.

Inattention is the cause of many accidents. It fills more hospitals than any germ in the medical index. We should remember, “Day-dreams behind the wheel often become nightmares in a wheel-chair.”

The owners of glaring headlights and blaring horns are a menace to traffic. Many night accidents are caused because of blinding lights. Do not have lights that you would not like to face. The blaring horn owner should remember, “The devil is recognized by his horn.”

Although two out of three of the accidents occur in the rural districts, most of them are caused by vacationists and weekend visitors from the city. For this reason the Grange is handicapped; however, there are a number of things the Grange can do.

The Grange should urge city organizations to help in the fight and cooperate with them. The subordinate Grange should stud the defects and causes of accidents in the community and correct them.

The Lecturer should devote at least one meeting a year to the safety cause. Moving pictures and speeches would be of interest. The roll may be answered by giving causes of accidents. Posters posted in and around the hall would help keep patrons “safety conscious.”

The essay contest is an excellent thing. Every contestant will be safer, more sane and “safety-minded” because of entering this contest.

The Grange papers should be used to help pass legislation of safety, such as: uniform traffic laws, non-political highway patrol, the proper use of highway funds to improve and complete our highway system, and other such laws of safety value.

If the Grange will do some, or all, of these things, and perhaps more, it will be doing what is expected of such an organization. The Grange should impress upon all individuals the importance of:

1. Driving at a reasonable speed at all times.
2. Keeping attention on the road.
3. Refusing to drive when drinking.
4. Obeying all signals and signs.
5. Never passing another car unless the way is clear.
6. Keeping automobile in good condition.
7. Dimming lights, when meeting cars at night.
8. Teaching children to fear the highways.
9. Signaling intention to turn or stop.
10. Always be alert and…