The Hawera Star. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1924. DANGEROUS CROSSINGS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 November 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1924. DANGEROUS CROSSINGS.

Delivered every evening by 3 o’clock m Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, . Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

Our report of a ease at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, in which a driver of a motor lorry who met with an accident recently was proceeded against by the Railway Department, should remind all drivers of motor vehicles that the onus is upon them when approaching level crossings to see that no train is in close proximity. There are, if we remember rightly, over two hundred level crossings between Hawera and New Plymouth, and it can be easily understood that it would be impossible for engine drivers to slow down at each crossing. The timetables are quite lengthy enough as it is, and as the trains run fairly well to time motor drivers should know when a train may be expected at a certain crossing. The engine ivhistles are used very freely by the drivers when approaching crossings, and it is no fault of theirs if they are not heard by motorists. At some crossings automatic alarm bells are provided, but even then there is danger unless motor drivers are on the look-out. It is a pity that some means of avoiding level crossings was not adopted when the railway lines were laid. If roads had been put under or over.the lines the danger of accident, would have been removed entirely, but the work would cost a V3ry large sum now, and it is not likely that it will be undertaken, though, where a serious menace to human life exists, it would be money well spent to remove it. Motor trafffic has grown greatly in recent years, and there have been many level crossing accidents throughout the Dominion, many of them proving fatal. The strain upon a driver when he sees that an accident, cannot be avoided must be very severe, while the nerves of motorists who meet with such accidents must be badly shaken, even if they are fortunate enough to escape, from serious injuries. We hope that motor

drivers will be impressed by the case to which we have referred, and that they will always exercise the utmost care when about to cross the. railway line. It is far better to be sure than sorry, and the few seconds lost by pulling up are far less valuable than the life or limb that may be paid as a penalty for failure to take proper precautions. As the Magistrate said, one must feel sympathetic with a defendant in such a case, and, though it was illogical to inflict a fine on <.a man when the man’s own safety had been at stake, it was necessary to do so as a warning to the general public and to other drivers. Mr Barton’s view was undoubtedly the correct one,’and it should be widely noted, also the fact that the Department intends to take action in all future cases against people who neglect to observe the Department’s. advice of “Stop, Look, Listen.”