DANGEROUS CROSSINGS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9575, 28 July 1923, Page 7

DANGEROUS CROSSINGS.

3000 IX THE DOMINION. defence ok the depart:,iext. WELLINGTON, July 27. The president oi’ the Automobile 1 nion dealt exhaustively with the .subject of level crossings in a report presented at a lecent meeting. lie came to tlie conclusion that the attempt to throw all blame and respon ibilitv on the Hailway Department was unreasonable ’ and unjustifiable. r i he public- is always agitating for reduced tares and freights, and oh the other hand wants to throw enormous extra cost on to the Department. He -aid there werq 2000 level crossings in the country, and proceeded to show that protecting them by bridges, bells, wig-wags, flagmen s writes, or nny known menus would rest from .2660,(.'G0 to £3,(100,(K.'f) annually. Even then experience showed that accidents would not be prevented, and lip quoted instances where cars and lorries had actually been driven into trains that were, standing still. It, is now recognised in some countries that no clot ice is worth the expense incurred. They are being abandoned and the onus thrown on the users ot the highv a’> s. He- suggested that the most that, could bo (lotto was to remove obstructions in the way of trees, hedges, and (-veil houses, and possibly to bridge a few of the most busy crossings. Heavy penalties should be imposed on those who failed to take due precautions.—- !’. A.