LEVEL CROSSING DEATHS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29269, 29 July 1960, Page 8

LEVEL CROSSING DEATHS

Meeting Urged To

Discuss Problem

“Since our last meeting there has been another fatal accident at a railway crossing; can we not have a round-table discussion among railway, transport, council, road safety, and other officials to gain some information on these accidents which usually always end in a death.” said Mr A. R. Kiddey, chairman of the Christchurch Metropolitan Road Safety Committee. “So many accidents are now occurring at level crossings that something will have to be done about it," said Mr Kiddey, suggesting the meeting of organisations concerned to discuss the causes, and possible remedies, for such accidents.

As the law stood at present, all road users were in the wrong in accidents with trains, because the law required them to stop at crossings, said Mr H. G. R. Sedgley. “But these are changing times from when that law was made,” said Mr Kiddey. He asked whether trains could be required to travel a little slower over crossings, or whether an extension of compulsory stops at crossings would be more applicable. “Trains do not go off the rails in these accidents; they usually arise from cars stalling on the tracks,” said Miss M. McLean. Mr D. L. Hogan said the possibility of stalling was now much greater than formerly and it was happening much more often than before. “We should try to get the railways’ point of view and sponsor a meeting to discuss this problem,” he said. Mr G. P. Kellar said the subject was “a delicate one.” The Railways Department had been trying to speed up trains for greater efficiency.

A motion that an attempt be made to have a discussion among organisations concerned in the matter was carried unanimously.