174 P. 860 | Utah | 1918
Lead Opinion
The plaintiff recovered judgment against the defendant for damages for persbnal injuries and the destruction of an automobile caused by the alleged negligence of the defendant. The defendant appeals from the judgment.
The plaintiff in his complaint, in substance, alleged that the defendant owned and operated a railroad between Salt Lake City and the town of Payson, in the state of Utah, over which it transported freight and passengers by means of ears propelled by electric motors; that the town of Salem is on said line of railroad, at which town the defendant maintained a depot or station building, near which there is a public high
The following sketch or plat will assist the reader to a better understanding of the evidence.
The defendant denied all acts of negligence, and, as an affirmative defense, averred that, if the plaintiff was injured and damaged as alleged, such injuries and damages were
The controlling facts, as they are made to appear from plaintiff’s evidence, are, substantially, as follows:
On the 30th day of July, 1916, the defendant owned and operated an interurban line of railroad between Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, and the town of Payson in Utah County, this state. The railroad was operated for the transportation of freight and passengers by means of electricity. The cars were operated by what are called motorcars, and the power was transmitted to and through the motors by means of a trolley wire attached to cross-arms, which were fastened to what are called trolley poles, placed along the track a few feet distant therefrom and about 150 feet apart. The train in question consisted of two cars, one motorcar and a car called a trailer. It was shown that defendant’s railroad passes through the town of Salem, which is about three miles north from the town of Payson, which, at the time in question, was the southern terminus of the road; that on the 30th day of July, 1916, plaintiff owned a five-passenger Oakland automobile, and that about noon of that day he, with some of his friends, passed through the town of Salem over the crossing in question; that on the evening of that day, at about eight twenty o’clock, the plaintiff, with six others, again passed through the town of Salem with the automobile in question — that is, there were seven passengers, including the plaintiff, in the automobile.
Referring now to the plat: The evidence shows that plaintiff was driving westward on the state road, the traveled portion of which is indicated by the shaded strip on the plat. In coming into the town of Salem, and about four to six hundred feet east from where the railroad (marked “R. R.” on the plat) crosses the state road, which is the crossing in question, plaintiff passed one Edward L. Peery, who was then marshal of the town of Payson. Peery, at the time, with three companions, was on the side of the road with an automobile. Peery says he knew the plaintiff, and that when he passed the point where Peery and his companions were he, in
There were also quite a number of eyewitnesses who saw the collision between plaintiff’s automobile and the train of the defendant. A Mr. Grant, an eyewitness to the accident, testified for the plaintiff. It seems he made various observations and measurements immediately or soon after the collision occurred. Mr. Grant lived in a house which was a little less than one block east of the crossing where the collision occurred. He saw plaintiff’s automobile and its occupants pass his house and he heard the latter talk and laugh, as he puts it, and noted and understood some of their remarks. Mm Grant says that in his judgment plaintiff at the time was driving at the rate of about ten miles an hour, or perhaps a little less. He was inclined to make it less rather than more. Mr. Grant said that just before or at about the time plaintiff’s automobile ran west past Mr. Grant’s home he heard the whistle of defendant’s train. He heard it whistle again, and then also heard the gong sounded and the short, sharp blasts or toots of the whistle referred to by Mr. Peery, and immediately thereafter the collision occurred. According to the measurements of Mr. Grant, defendant’s depot is 285 feet from the center of the crossing,
There were quite a number of persons waiting at the depot for the incoming train. Several of those persons testified, and the substance of their evidence is to the effect that they heard the whistle of defendant’s train, and shortly thereafter noticed plaintiff’s automobile with its occupants approaching the crossing from the east. The depot is situated in the direction of the arrow shown on the plat, and, as stated by Mr. Grant, is 285 feet from the crossing. The witnesses who testified were outside of the depot building, and, as stated, heard the whistle of defendant’s train as it approached the crossing. Some agreed with Mr. Grant and Mr. Peery that the train whistled twice, while others said they only heard the train whistle once before they heard the sounding of the gong and the short, sharp blasts of the whistle. All of the witnesses, however, plainly heard the train whistle as it was coming into or passing through the town of Salem and approaching the crossing in question. The witnesses, however, said that the train was required to cross several other streets in the town of Salem before reaching the crossing in question.
In passing along the road plaintiff passed Mr. Grant’s house, which, as before stated, is not quite a block east of the crossing. He also passed the home of Mr. Curtis, which is west of Mr. Grant’s house and somewhat nearer the crossing. He also was required to pass an old barn or stable represented by the shaded square marked “S” on the plat. This barn, Mr. Grant testified, was thirty-five feet distant from the railroad track. Mr. Grant also testified that, according to his observations and measurements, plaintiff could have seen defendant’s train approaching the crossing from the south at a point ninety feet east from the track, at the point marked “90” on the plat. Other witnesses made it less, but they merely guessed at the distance, and none of plaintiff’s witnesses disputed Mr. Grant’s measurements or statements. Just how far south of the crossing the train could first be seen by one driving west after passing the stable is not made very clear by plaintiff’s evidence, but from all
Plaintiff’s witnesses practically all agree that plaintiff was driving at a speed of from seven to ten miles an hour. One of the young ladies in the automobile said that she noticed the speedometer just before the collision occurred and that it was fluctuating between seven and ten miles. The witnesses also all agree that the train, as it approached the crossing, was running at from thirty to thirty-five miles an hour, but none of the witnesses was in a good position to judge accurately of the speed, in view that the train was coming toward them.
Some of the witnesses also said that as the plaintiff was driving westward toward the crossing another automobile passed him on the north going west, and passed over the crossing ahead of the approaching train. It is also true that others of plaintiff’s witnesses said they did not see or notice that automobile, but the affirmative evidence is clearly to the effect that another automobile passed over the crossing ahead of him.
Plaintiff’s witnesses also testified that there was an automobile coming from the west toward the plaintiff as he approached the crossing, and some of them say they first saw it at about the point marked “B” and that it stopped at about the point marked “C” on the plat, and just before defendant’s train passed over the crossing.
Plaintiff’s witnesses who stood at or near the depot also saw the headlight of defendant’s motorcar as it approached the crossing. They all said that there is a curve in the defendant’s track south of the crossing which caused the rays of the headlight to be turned to the east or towards the barn. The witnesses also saw the plaintiff and the occupants of the automobile and heard them talk and laugh as the automobile approached the crossing. They also saw that the plaintiff drove his car right up to the track, at which point the automobile appeared to stop at about the time when it was struck
Two of the young men who were occupants in plaintiff’s automobile, and who were sitting on the knees of those sitting in the rear seat, saw the approaching train after it passed the stable, and they jumped out of the automobile and were not injured, while plaintiff and the others remained in the car, and plaintiff was thrown therefrom and seriously injured, as before stated. The automobile was apparently struck by the right-hand corner of the motorcar and about the front wheels and the engine.
Three of the occupants who were in the automobile with the plaintiff testified that they did not hear the train whistle, and did not hear any signals, and did not know of its approach, until the two young men jumped from the automobile and just before it was struck by the motorcar, as aforesaid. Plaintiff, as a part of his evidence, also produced a number of. photographs which, all his witnesses testified, correctly reflected and represented the objects and situation at and near the crossing in question at the time of the accident.'
Some of plaintiff’s witnesses also testified that at the time of the accident the road was dry and dusty, and that the automobile that passed the plaintiff, as before stated, caused considerable dust to rise from the_ road. It was also shown that the accident occurred at about eight twenty in the evening mountain time. All of the witnesses said that it was "between sundown and dark.” Some of them, however, said it was nearer dark than sundown, while others said that it was nearer sundown than dark. At all events, all said it was still light enough to see, and it seems none had any difficulty in seeing what he said transpired at the time.
It was also shown that the rails of the crossing were flush with the grade of the road, but that the rails could plainly be seen at either side of the traveled roadway; that the road in question was six rods wide; that defendant had not placed
It also appeared from the evidence that there were some trees on both sides of the track, and some smaller trees and some outhouses near the Grant and Curtis homes, which, to some extent if not entirely, obstructed the view in the direction from which the train was approaching. In view of all the evidence, including the photographs produced by the plaintiff as before stated, it is, however, clear that the crossing in question was open and as free from obstructions to the view as a crossing in a town or populated district well could be. The greatest obstruction near the track was the old barn or stable shown on the plat. There was also a row of posts, about four feet high and a short distance apart, set in the ground along the north margin of the street on which plaintiff was driving his automobile, which were painted yellow, with a darker color at the top, which were placed there and used as a means to fence in the depot grounds. Those posts were quite conspicuous.
Plaintiff also proved by competent experts the extent and character of his injuries, which weré very severe. The only injuries material here, however, are those to plaintiff’s skull, which was fractured at the base of the brain. The doctor in attendance testified that the plaintiff was unconscious for several days after the injury, and that he suffered from
The plaintiff also testified in his own behalf. He said that he remembered passing Mr. Peery by the side of the road as he was driving into the town of Salem; that he had passed through the town over the road and crossing in question about noon, or a little before noon, of the day of the accident. In answer to questions put to him by his counsel how often he had traveled over the road in question he said that he had been “over that road a few times — I don’t know how many times, but a few times.” The other occupants of the automobile who testified corroborated plaintiff in the statement that they had passed over the road in question before on that day. Plaintiff further testified that after he was in the town of Salem, and after he had passed Mr. Peery, another automobile passed him and went ahead of him; that the automobile that passed him was running at a high rate of speed and caused considerable dust to rise from the roadway; that he saw another automobile ahead of him approaching him; that he noticed its headlight; that, while he knew he was in the town of Salem, he did not know that he was approaching the crossing in question, or any railroad crossing; that he did not hear any signals or warning and did not see the train or its headlight; and that no cross-arms or other signs were up at the crossing. He also testified that he did not remember whether he looked or listened on this particular occasion, but that he was a careful driver, and that he had had considerable experience in driving automobiles in this and other states, and generally looked and listened. The last thing he remembered, he says, was seeing the automobile approaching him from the east. He said he was traveling not exceeding 10 miles an hour, and he thought less, and could have stopped
Mr. Grant and some others of plaintiff’s witnesses also testified that the motorcar ran a distance of 285 feet before it was stopped after it struck the automobile.
Plaintiff was also permitted to introduce in evidence, over defendant’s objections and exceptions, a certain ordinance passed by the authorities of the town of Salem in which defendant was granted the right to pass through the town and cross the streets. In said ordinance it, among other things, was provided that the cars of the defendant “within the settled portion of said town” should be operated at a rate of speed “not exceeding twelve miles per hour.” The plaintiff also proved the written acceptance of the ordinance aforesaid by the defendant.
After producing substantially the foregoing evidence the plaintiff rested, and the defendant moved for a nonsuit upon the grounds (1) that the plaintiff had failed to establish any negligence on the part of the defendant, and (2) that under the evidence produced by plaintiff it appeared that the accident was caused by reason of his own negligence as a matter of law. The court denied the motion.
The defendant then produced its evidence, but, in view that the ease must be determined upon plaintiff’s evidence, we shall not pause here to refer to defendant’s evidence, except to say that in some particulars its evidence was not disputed. For example, the defendant made some accurate measurements regarding distances which were not disputed; but in view that plaintiff’s evidence, except on a few unimportant matters, did not really differ from defendant’s measurements, we shall not refer to those measurements.
After the defendant had produced its evidence, it made a motion asking the court to direct the jury to proceed to view the locus of the accident, which motion was denied. It then requested the court to direct the jury to return a verdict for the defendant, which request was also denied, and the court submitted the ease to the jury.
The first assignment to be noticed is that the court erred in refusing to permit the jury to view the place of the accident. Under our statute (Comp. Laws 1907, section 3152) the matter of permitting the jury to view a place, etc., is largely a matter of discretion. In view of the photographs
Counsel for defendant next contend that the court erred in receiving the franchise ordinance in evidence in which the speed of defendant’s cars was limited to twelve miles an hour. It is contended that the town of Salem did
In article 12, section 8, of our Constitution, it is provided:
“No law shall be passed granting the right to construct and operate a street railroad, telegraph, telephone or electric light plant within any city or incorporated town, without the consent of the local authorities who have control of the street or highway proposed to be occupied for such purposes.”
If it were held, however, that the foregoing provision did not apply to defendant’s interurban railroad, yet the authorities of the town of Salem clearly had the right to grant or withhold the right to the use of the streets in the town, and thus to impose conditions respecting the use thereof for pur
The only questions, therefore, are (1) whether the violation of such a condition in a franchise ordinance constitutes negligence; and (2) whether a private person may charge the company with negligence in case the condition is violated and he is injured. If the ordinance had been
Assuming, without deciding, that the constitutional provision aforesaid has no application, yet defendant’s contention cannot prevail. No one will, or can successfully,, contend that the provision in the franchise ordinance limiting the speed of trains “within the settled portion of said town to not exceeding twelve miles per hour” is either unlawful or unreasonable. Moreover, defendant’s counsel concede that
It is next urged that the district court erred in charging the jury with regard to the duty the statute imposes upon railroad companies in giving signals in approaching
“Every locomotive shall be provided with a bell weighing not less than twenty pounds, which shall be rung continuously from a point not less than eighty rods from any street, road, or highway crossing, until such street, road, or highway shall be crossed, but the sounding of the locomotive whistle at least one-fourth of a mile before reaching any such crossing shall be deemed equivalent to ringing the bell as aforesaid, except in towns and at terminal points; during the prevalence of fogs, snow, and dust storms, the locomotive whistle shall be sounded before each street crossing while passing through cities and towns.”
The court charged the jury that the provisions just quoted applied to defendant’s motorcars the same as to any locomotive propelled by steam. Counsel for defendant insist that the charge is erroneous in that a motorcar does not come within the purview of the foregoing statute. If there- were nothing else in the statute save what we have quoted, there might be much force to counsel’s position. Long after the foregoing statute was passed, however, and under which all railroads in this state are incorporated and operate, it was amended. Laws Utah 1907, p. 106. In the amendment it is provided that railroads may be operated “by steam, electric, animal, or other power, or any combination thereof.” It is further provided in said amendment (which amendment now constitutes section 434x of Comp. Laws 1907) as follows:
*491 “Railroad corporations heretofore organized and now existing, or hereafter organized and existing, nnder the laws of this state shall be subject to all the duties imposed, and shall have and possess all the powers and privileges conferred by this chapter, as well as the powers and privileges conferred by the laws under which said corporations were organized, or which are contained in their articles of incorporation, and are not inconsistent with the laws and Constitution of this state.”
It will thus be seen that railroad companies may adopt and use any power or method which by them is deemed most convenient to propel their cars or trains. Whatever the power or means that is adopted and used for that purpose, nevertheless, makes the company subject to all the duties that are imposed by the statute.
It is a matter of common knowledge that a train of cars, especially passenger ears, is propelled quite as swiftly by means of motors or motorcars as are trains that are propelled by steam locomotive engines, and that the
It is further insisted that the court erred in submitting to the jury the question of the necessity of putting up and maintaining cross-arms, or some other suitable sign or device, to apprise travelers of the railroad crossing, and whether the failure to place and maintain such cross-arms or other similar device constituted negligence. While defendant’s counsel do not seriously contend that it was improper to submit that question, yet they contend that the court erred in repeating defendant’s failure in that regard, and in thus making that question too prominent to the jury. It is true that the court had in a certain instruction referred to the subject, and also in two other instructions again specifically called attention to the matter, and in that way the court did charge upon the subject at least twice. We are unable to perceive, however, how the defendant was prejudiced by anything that the instructions contained on that subject. It is, however, only just to state in this connection that the charge as a whole contained frequent repetitions. The charge contained considerably over 6,000 words. While it is true that a number of legal propositions are involved, yet the principal questions related solely to the negligence of the defendant in operating its train in approaching the crossing, and to the alleged contributory negligence of the plaintiff in driving his automobile in attempting to cross the track. Apart from the usual stock instructions, the charge is divided into thirty-five distinct paragraphs, many of- which are quite long, and practically every one of the paragraphs contains more than one legal proposition.
Counsel for defendant excepted to twenty of the thirty-five paragraphs. The exception invariably reads as follows: “De
It is, however, also insisted that the court erred in refusing to give at least seven of defendant’s requests. At least six of those requests are, however, vulnerable to the same objection that defendant’s counsel have argued against a number of instructions that the court gave, namely, that they
A number of assignments relate to the admission and exclusion of evidence. Nothing could be gained by referring
This disposes of all the assignments that are material except the one which relates to plaintiff’s contributory negligence. As before stated, defendant, at the close of the evidence, requested the court to instruct the jury to return a verdict in favor of the defendant, which request
While, as just stated, defendant’s counsel contend that plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence as matter of law, counsel for plaintiff insist that the question was one of fact for the jury, and, in view that they have found against the defendant, we are bound by the finding.
That the question of contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff, like that of the negligence of the defendant, is for the jury, where the evidence and the inferences to be deduced therefrom are such that reasonable men may arrive at different conclusions, has so often been decided by this court that the proposition has, in effect, become elementary.
In other words, if there is any substantial doubt whether a plaintiff was or was not guilty of contributory negligence, or whether, if negligent, such negligence was the proximate cause of the injury, the court cannot determine the right to recover as a matter of law, but must submit the
Where, however, the facts are conceded, or there is no conflict in the evidence, and upon a consideration of all the evidence, and the legitimate inferences that
While the rule just stated applies to accidents at public crossings, yet, as pointed out in Wilkinson v. Railroad, 35 Utah, 110, 99 Pac. 466, and in Bates v. Railroad, 38 Utah, 568, 114 Pac. 527, in the latter class of cases the
Mr. Elliott, in his excellent work on Railroads (2d Ed.) vol. 3, section 1163, states the rule in the following words:
"Where the measure of duty is prescribed by law, and there is no controversy as to the facts, and but one reasonable inference to be fairly and justly drawn from such facts, the question whether due care was exercised, is one of law for the court.” (Italics ours.)
Many cases in support of the text are cited by the author.
Moreover, where, as in the case at bar, the accident is observed from various points, no presumptions can be indulged either in favor of or against either party.
"This is not a ease where there was no living witness of the accident; consequently there is no room for the presumption, arising from the natural instinct of self-preservation, that the deceased was exercising due care to preserve his life or person from injury.”
Let us now examine the evidence produced by plaintiff in his own behalf in the light of the authorities we have cited and those referred to in the Wilkinson and Bates Cases.
The plaintiff states that he knew that he had arrived in the town of Salem, and that he had passed over the crossing in question on the day of the accident and “a few times” before that day. All those who were in the automobile with him, at least all those who testified, also admitted that plaintiff had driven the automobile over the crossing in question on the day of the accident. From their remarks, which were overheard by some of those who testified for plaintiff, and especially by Mr. Grant, they also knew and realized that they were in the town of Salem. But, entirely apart from this consideration, the plaintiff cannot be heard to say that he did not know that he had arrived in the town. Being charged with that knowledge, he was required to take notice of his surroundings. Again, it was still daylight; that is, twilight. It was still light enough to see all the surrounding objects. The town of Salem is not a large place. It is but a country village. There is but one state road passing through the town and plaintiff knew that he was traveling on that road. Indeed, that was the road he traveled both in coming to and in leaving the town of Salem. There is not the slightest evidence of anything which could have distracted plaintiff, and he claims nothing except that an automobile passed him as he was approaching the crossing in question. But, he says, he did not even know that he was approaching the crossing. It is hard to perceive how even that can be accepted as a distraction. The passing of an automobile when one is driving on the public highway is, however, such an ordinary occurrence that surely no automobile driver can urge that as a legal excuse for not paying any heed or attention to his surroundings, and especially not when he is driving in a town or populated district. But it is insisted that the passing auto
But it is further insisted that he did not hear the train signals nor the noise of its approach. All of the witnesses, however, who testified in his behalf, except those with him, heard the train whistle as it came into or passed through the town, and they saw it and its headlight as it approached the crossing. It is also beyond dispute that plaintiff was traveling slowly and upon a level plane; that is, there was no perceptible grade at or near the crossing. Nor is it claimed that plaintiff’s automobile made any perceptible noise. Nor is there any valid reason presented why he did not hear what the other witnesses heard. There is — there can be — but one reason why plaintiff and those with him did not hear, and that is that they were totally oblivious to their surroundings. It is, however, also insisted that plaintiff did not see the crossing and was not aware that he was approaching it or any crossing. As an excuse in that respect, the fact that there were no cross-arms or other similar devices placed and maintained at the crossing to warn travelers is relied on. The evidence, however, is undisputed, and the photographs produced by the plaintiff clearly show, that there were trolley poles, electric light poles, and telephone poles, with cross-arms and wires, along the track, which were plainly visible by all who looked and observed. Plaintiff, however, tells us, and so do those who were in the automobile with him, that
While no doubt it was the province of the jury to say whether the defendant should have placed and maintained cross-arms, or some other suitable device, to apprise travelers of the crossing, yet where all who were with the plaintiff, including himself, agree that they did not see and observe any of the numerous objects which were equally indicative that there was a railroad there, how is it possible to say that, under the undisputed facts and circumstances of this case, a cross-arm, or any other signpost, would or could have been of any use whatever?
But it is asserted plaintiff did not see the track, that the railroad grade was about the same as the road grade, and that at the crossing the rails were flush with the surface of the road grade. Here again plaintiff’s witnesses afford him no excuse. Mr. Grant, who was one of plaintiff’s principal witnesses — at least he is the one who testified to the measurements and distances, and whose testimony seems thoroughly reliable and no doubt was relied on, and he is not contradicted in any essential particular — tells us that, although he lived nearly a block east of the • crossing, he, nevertheless, could see it from his home on the evening of the accident and at about the time it occurred. It is true that Mr. Grant said that the fact was perhaps due to the other fact that he knew that the crossing was there. The controlling — that is, the essential — fact, however, is that the crossing was visible for nearly, if not quite, a block, and hence could be seen by any one who looked. It is a fact known to all that street railway tracks are always flush with the pavement or with the dirt street, yet who would be heard to say that they did
There is, however, undisputed evidence, namely, the photographs which plaintiff produced in evidence. All of those show the crossing in question, and from them it is easy to perceive that that crossing is very much like most railroad grade crossings. While the tops of the rails on the traveled portion of the road were flush with the road grade, yet on both sides of the traveled portion of the road the rails were clearly visible for a considerable distance, and could have been seen by any one who paid only the slightest heed to his surroundings.
It is, however, insisted that both Mr. Grant’s house and that of Mr. Curtis, which was further west, and was nearer to the crossing, and some outhouses, with some trees at the Grant and Curtis houses, obstructed the view of the approaching train from the south; and the stable or barn, it is insisted, also obstructed the view. Let that be conceded, and yet it furnishes no legal excuse. The barn or stable, according to Grant’s measurements, was thirty-five feet from the track, and the train could be seen approaching the crossing from the south when one was ninety feet from the track. If the plaintiff, therefore, in passing over the ninety-foot space, had at any time paid the slightest attention to where he was, he must have seen or heard the approaching train.
It is, however, contended that the track curved to the west more than is indicated on the plat, and hence the rays of the headlight were cast toward the barn. Now, what are the physical, the uncontrovertible, facts in that regard? Let us assume that the train was approaching the crossing at the rate of thirty miles an hour, and that plaintiff’s automobile was approaching it at ten miles an hour. The train would thus move three times as fast as plaintiff’s automobile, and while plaintiff was moving ninety feet, from the point where he could first have seen the approaching train, to the track where he was struck, the train moved three times that distance, or 270 feet. The train, therefore, was only 270 feet from the crossing when plaintiff came in full view of it.
No doubt the jury found, as they should have found, that in this ease the defendant was guilty of negligence in operating its train, and they thus charged it with all the consequences of the collision, regardless of plaintiff’s conduct.
That they had no right to do. Where both parties are equally negligent, the only question is whose negligence was
This ease is quite similar to the case of New York, etc., Rd. Co. v. Maidment, 168 Fed. 21, 93 C. C. A. 413, 21 L. R. A. (N. S.) 794. That case was a ease where an automobile was struck at a public crossing. There, as here, the court says, the driver of the automobile had passed over the crossing “that morning and several times before,” and in attempting to cross it again was struck by a passing train. The United States Circuit Court of Appeals, in passing upon the duties of automobile drivers in attempting to cross railroad tracks on public highways or streets, in the course of the opinion, makes the following pertinent observations, which in view of their timeliness and applicability, we take the liberty of quoting, namely:
“With, the coming into use of the automobile, new questions as to reciprocal rights and duties of the public and that vehicle have and will*502 continue to arise. At no place are those relations more important than at the grade crossings of railroads. The main consideration hitherto with reference to such crossings has been the danger to those crossing. A ponderous, swiftly moving locomotive, followed by a heavy train, is subjected to slight danger by a crossing foot passenger, or a span of horses and a vehicle; but, when the passing vehicle is a ponderous steel structure, it threatens, not only the safety of its own occupants, but also those on the colliding train. And when to the perfect control of such a machine is added the factor of high speed, the temptation to dash over a track at a terrific speed makes the automobile, unless carefully controlled, a new and grave element of crossing danger. On the other hand, when properly controlled, this powerful machine possesses capabilities contributing to safety. When a driver of horses attempts to make a crossing and is suddenly confronted by a train, difficulties face him to which the automobile is not subject. He cannot drive close to the track, or stop there, without risk of his horse frightening, shying, or overturning his vehicle. He cannot well leave his horse standing, and, if he goes forward to the track to get an unobstructed view and look for coming trains, he might have to lead his horse or team with him. These precautions the jiutomobile driver can take, carefully and deliberately, and without the nervousness communicated by a frightened horse. It will thus be seen an automobile driver has the opportunity, if the situation is one of uncertainty, to settle that uncertainty on the side of safety, with less inconvenience, no danger, and more surely than the driver of a horse. Such being the case, the law, both from the standpoint of his own safety and the menace his machine is to the safety of others, should, in meeting these new conditions, rigidly hold the automobile driver to such reasonable care and precaution as to go to his own safety and that of the traveling public. If the law demands such care, and those crossing make such care, and not chance, their protection, the possibilities of automobile crossing accidents will be minimized.”
In that ease it was held that the plaintiff could not recover for the sole reason that he was guilty of contributory negligence in not paying sufficient heed to his surroundings. Such is also the case here. In view, however, of defendant’s negligence, the jury in this case entirely excused plaintiff’s heedlessness and visited all of the consequences of the accident upon the defendant. This the law does not sanction. Under such circumstances the courts should never forget that “the supremacy of the law is the safeguard of the people.” If the courts permit jurors to excuse the negligence of the
It follows that the court erred in refusing to direct a verdict for the defendant, and the judgment therefore should be, and it accordingly is, reversed, and the cause is remanded to
Rehearing
On Application for Eehearing.
Plaintiff’s counsel have filed an application for rehearing in which they contend that we have arrived at an erroneous conclusion. The principal grounds are that we were in error in stating that the dust which was caused by the automobile which passed the plaintiff after he had arrived in the village of Salem “was not on the side from which the train was approaching,” and that we failed to consider the last clear chance doctrine. While it is true that the quoted statement is not strictly correct, yet it is also true that the statement was only made in connection with the contention that plaintiff’s attention may thereby have been distracted and his view of the on-coming train obscured. The reasons why that incident was insufficient to excuse the plaintiff are, however, clearly shown in the opinion. What is of more importance, however, is that the conclusion reached was not based on that statement. The statement was urged merely as a subordinate and not as a controlling reason. The conclusion is based entirely upon plaintiff’s own conduct in approaching the crossing while driving his automobile. In view of all the facts there is — there can be — no valid legal excuse for his conduct, and no amount of argument can furnish such an excuse. To establish such an excuse is the burden of counsel’s argument in support of the application for a rehearing.
In driving his automobile the law imposed a positive duty upon the plaintiff, precisely as it imposed a positive duty upon the defendant in operating its train. It is manifest from the record in this case that neither discharged
“An automobile properly managed is susceptible' of control within very narrow limits. It will stay where it is put. It is not to be frightened, yet, unless controlled, it is an engine of great danger, and the larger question of safety to the public and travelers upon trains requires that one operating such a machine should carefully look upon the track itself where a railway train may be expected, if there be opportunity to so inspect the situation. The motorist who neglects this plain duty is guilty of contributory negligence as matter of law. ’ ’
The conclusion in the case at bar is based upon the broad ground that the plaintiff manifestly failed to comply with that duty.
There is no merit to the further contention that we failed , to give plaintiff the benefit of what is termed the last clear chance doctrine. It is too clear for argument that, under the facts and circumstances of this case, that
There is nothing id the application for rehearing requiring re-examination of either the facts or the law, unless we are disposed to lay down the broad doctrine that one who approaches a railroad crossing with an automobile may do so without exercising any care for his own safety. That we are not prepared to do.
Thé petition is denied.