Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1926. CROSSING PERILS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 March 1926, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1926. CROSSING PERILS.

The statement on behalf of the Railway Department (published to-day in another column)' regarding the numerous accidents at level crossings, does not add much to the value of the discussion now going on. From the very beginning, the Department has adopted the view that no blame can be attached to it, and that if motorists and other users of the road did what they are told, there would be no collisions at crossings. No intelligent person would deny that some of the crashes are solely due to motorists neglecting common-sense precautions, taking risks quite unwarranted. But .the majority of such tragedies or mishaps are not the fault of individuals but of the system. Road-traffic has been entirely revolutionised by the advent of the motor car, since the railways were constructed, what were then littleused thoroughfares, now being busy avenues of road-transport. It is not enough for the Railway Department to rely on its sense of self-righteousness, and refer victims to an Act of Parliament. Were Acts of Parliament interpreted in the letter, and not the spirit, national administration would become chaotic. Public opinion will not insist that motorists should stop their cars before passing a crossing. In theory, such procedure may be ideal; in practice, it would be absurdity. The Railway official declared that “a change of viewpoint” was badly needed. He meant this prescription to apply only to the public, but the Department must take some of the medicine. The number of crossing accidents is a national scandal, which will increase unless great reforms are made. It is pleasing to note that the Main Highways Board is urging the Department to shake off its complacency in the matter, and is asking for its co-operation to minimise the danger. Of course, no system can be made fool-proof; there< will always be a few drivers who invite disaster by negligence, but it cannot be said that the majority of recent victims were seeking trouble. Every district has its death-traps, and it speaks volumes for the prudence of the average motorist or pedestrian, that crossing fatalities are not greater in number. Grey district has many danger spots, Tainui Street and Teremakau Bridge can be instanced, and no Departmental defence can successfully pretend that the present method is what it should be in these and numerous other places. Moreover, it is not fair to the Department’s own employees, particularly enginedrivers. Their responsibility is great under any circumstances,' and the many unguarded crossings must cause engine-drivers considerable anxiety. Now that the Railway Department has been partially aroused by recent calamities, to reflect on the level crossing danger, public opinion and agitation should keep it from slumber again. It will cost a lot of money if remedy is effected, but it will cost a lot of lives if nothing is done. To save money, or to save life? That is the question, and there should be little difficulty in supplying the proper answer.