LEVEL CROSSING DANGERS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17857, 1 September 1923, Page 16

LEVEL CROSSING DANGERS.

i; TO THIS EDITOR Or "THE PBESS." Sir, —There is a vast difference between careful and reckless motorists, and it was with reference to the latter that my noto in "The Press", of the 28th inst. was written. Your correspondent, Major It. Ashworth, who writes of his late friend's careful driving, may rest assured that it was never my intention to include among reckless drivers anyone of whom it is possible to write as ho does regarding his deceased friend. Even tlio most cautious motorist may be involved in an accident, sinoe the best may on occasion make ft slip, and the sympathy of all goes out to anyone in such a case. I wrote in general terms, and your correspondent's letter wight not to obscure the general point as to the 'responsibility for crossing accidents. With all respect to the views of Major Aslnvorth, I still suggest that gates ajud. gate-koepera hvould • not be required if no motorist would on «ny account approach a crossing at a speed greater than would allow him to stop clear of it if the necessity to do so arose without warning. This would probably mean that unless he had an unobstructed view of the railway in both directions ho would have to slow down to four or five miles an hour as* he drew near the crossing, at which rate the car could be stopped within a. yard or two. Would this slowing down be too big a price to pay for safety? I say "INo" ; and so long as smashes could be Avoided by motorists acting on iny suggestion I hold it is unfair and unreasonable to expect the Government to launch out on any extra protective measures. The responsibility for crossing accidents must be allowed to remain on the shoulders of the motoring fraternity in general and on those of the careless . and reckless drivers in particular.—Yours, etc., CYCLIST. August 30th.