LEVEL CROSSINGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17702, 31 January 1918, Page 9

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Apropos of your valuable leader in this morning’s issue, I frequently cross in a motor-car the Bryndwr, Stvx and other crossings, and I have often thought that if the railway engine drivers' were compelled to blow their whistle as soon as the train comes within 500 yards of the crossing, and continued to do so until and while tho train was passing over the crossing, the risk of an accident, such as often happens at. the crossings, would be very slight. . As it is, the drivers give a couple or blasts when the train is a long distance away, and then take the risk. If the whistlo were sounded continuously, the most absent-minded driver would wake up.i The most vigilant persons are often unable to see tho train approaching, but would run into no danger if the whistle wore kept going until the danger point had been crossed. There may be departmental objections in giving effect to what I suggest; if so they are not apparent to an ordinary person, and I am sure that many valuable lives would be spared if the drivers were compelled to keep their alarms going until they had passed over the crossings.—l am. etc., T. G. RUSSELL. January 30, 1018.