THE LEVEL CROSSING MENACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15483, 15 December 1913, Page 6

THE LEVEL CROSSING MENACE.

The facts adduced at the inquest on the man who was killed by a train at tho Onslow Road level crossing, Kingsland, on December 3, show this crossing to be an extremely dangerous one, and if steps are not taken immediately to minimise the danger the Railway Department will be guilty of callousness and negligence to a criminal degree. To show how dangerous the crossing is, the facts established at the' inquest may be summarised. It was shown (1) on the evidence of the fireman on the train that the crossing is approached on a grade, consequently steam had been shut off and the train was making little noise; (2) on the evidence of the fireman and guard that the speed of the train was from 10 to 15 miles an hour; (3) that the warning whistle of the train was not heard by deceased, and was practically inaudible at the crossing. An adult who saw the accident said he did not hear the whistle, and a schoolboy said he heard a faint whistle about six seconds before the collision. It was also made clear and emphasised by the magistrate in his verdict that (4) the view along the line is obscured till one reaches the rails, and (5) the notice to "stop" is practically hidden and one might easily find himself on the crossing before he knew it was there. Having regard to these five facts, is it any straining of language to call this crossing, unfortunately typical of many others, a death-trap 1 _ A pedestrian, but more particularly a driver of a vehicle, exercising the ordinary degree of care incumbent on persons using a public highway, crosses tho line at this point at considerable risk. The crossing is safe only to those who arc familiar with its unseen dangers and exercise extraordinary care. The Railway Department has no right to place either of these conditions on the safety of the public, and the public will not tolerate its callous attitude. '