LEVEL RAILWAY CROSSINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 178, 27 July 1923, Page 4

LEVEL RAILWAY CROSSINGS.

THREE THOUSAHB "TRAPB.» THE COST OF PROTECTION. THREE MILLIONS A YEAR. (By Telejraph.—Own Corrtepoaatnt., WELLINGTON, this dsy. The president of the Automobile Union dealt exhaustively -with the subject of ' level crossings in a report presented at a recent meeting. He Eaid he had come to the conclusion that an attempt to throw all blame and responsibility on ■the Railway Department was unreasonable and unjustified. The public was always agitating for reduced fares and freights, and, on the other hand, wanted to throw enormous extra cost on to the Department. There were three thousand level. crossings in the country, and protecting them by bridges, belle, •wig wags, flag-men, gates, or any tnowe means would cost from £660,000 to £3,000,000 annually. Even then experience showed that accidents would not be prevented. He quoted instances where cars and lorries had actually been driven into trains that were standing still. It wae now recognised in some conntries that no device was worth the tx> pense incurred; they were being •bkndoned, and the onus thrown on the users of the highways. He suggested that the most that could be done was to remow obstructions such as trees, hedges, and even houses, and possibly to bridge a few of the most busy crossings. Heavy penalties should be imposed on.thoM who failed to take due precautions. . /.