“MISSED BY A SECOND.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 145, 19 May 1930, Page 6

“MISSED BY A SECOND.”

DANGEROUS LEVEL CROSSING. MOTORIST IN COURT. Charged with failing to stop at the railway crossing at Bunnythoipe where a compulsory stop sign was erected, and with crossing the railway when the line was not clear, William A. V\ aters, engineer to the iVLanawatuOroua Power Board, appeared before Mr J. L. Stout, b.M., m the Palmerston North Police Court this morning. The first charge was admitted, and the second was withdrawn by the police. Defendant stated that, though he had not actually stopped at the crossing, he had slowed down to five mnes an hour and was in second gear. He admitted that lie had had a narrow escape, but contended that he had in no way been negligent. When ho leached the corner, ne looked to the station and saw no sign of a traiu or smoke. When on the rails he heard the roar of the engine and saw it about a chain away. He got clear by 30 or 40 feet. Tie had later made tests and the measured distance from the tiist visible point where the engine was seen from the usual motorists' stopping placo to the crossing was 351 feet only. Erom a standing start tlie average time taken to cover this distance was 7.1 seconds. Even if a motorist pulled up, walked to the line and saw it was clear, he would, if the train had been in the hollow below the station, get caught just the same. 'The visibility was very poor and the crossing was particularly dangerous. Senior-Sergeant Whitohouse agreed that the crossing was a dangerous one and that the visibility of a train was limited. From the time a train flashed into view to when it reached' the crossing was only five seconds. Defendant said he missed getting trapped by one second only. 'The compulsory stop made the position worse. His Worship: It is time the department put one of the new warning devices there. Defendant referred to a discussion at the Oroua County Council, when the danger of the crossing bad been considered, and reference was made to clumps of trees that obstructed the view. “You will not mind paying a fine seeing how closely you escaped,” said the magistrate in imposing a penalty of £2 with costs 10s.