LEVEL CROSSINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 10 (Supplement)

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

WARNINQ DEVICES.

Opinions differ regarding the effectiveness of the various types of tevel crossing signals installed on North Island highways. A number of motorists consider that the flashing light typo erected on Jlangere crossing answers all require ments. On the other hand, the wig-wag such as is installed on tho New North Road, before entering Avondale, has good points. Tho Railways Department and tho Highways Board are inclined to favour tlio Hashing light system. Tho weakness of all these signals is that they requiro frequent testing and this would render it rather risky to install them on rural sections of highway where attention would be impracticable. Closed cars have reduced tho value of warning bells to some extent, but a crossing should never be approached at STieods which would provent the bell from being audiblo at a safo distance. Thero is one Ihing which the wise motorist should always bear in mind. That Is that tho most reliable engine might stall on tho tracks. It is better not to tako a chance when a train is coming. Tho right procedure upon approaching a grade crossing is to slow down your speed to a point practically guaranteeing lull control. If you aro going up a slight grado, as is often the caso, shift into second gear. It is usually not necessary to stop, but it is always necessary to look and listen. Railroad crossings aro usually situated at a point whoro a long view of the clear tracks both ways is possible. The motorist has only himself to blamo if he does see or heaj nn approaching train under theso circumitances. WINDSCREEN TRANSFERS. "Tho A.A.A. windscreen transfers are now on all tho old crocks in used car oarages," said tho president of tho association, Mi'. A. Grayson, at the meeting last week. Several members complained that tho patrol recognised only the nickel badge. The secrotary explained that the transfers could not bo relied on as proof of membership as they were left on cars after they had changed hands. Several members said tho sale of transfers should cease if they did not carry all privi eges The secretary said members could always establish their identity with the membcrCa iL C. Jones said 3000 of tho association's members carried metal badges and over 4000 used transfers or attached no means of identification. An objection was also raised that members could buy several transfers and distribute them to non-members. It was resolved that the service committee should cdnsider the policy regarding the issue of transfers in future. STREET LIGHTING. Tho street lighting system carried out in most city and suburban streets renders the full beam of tho headlights unnecessary, and many Auckland motorists only cause a nuisanco by driving with bright lamps, irrespective of street conditions. Headlamps are supposed to bo adjusted in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Ketrulatioris, 1928, to eliminate dazzle, but every driver knows that it is impossible to drivo balf-a-mile on the concrete highways without meeting cars with glaring lamps. Many motorists complain that tho floodlights installed on Auckland streets harass them as much as car lights, and they drive with their own lamps at their brightest with the idea that they ■will enjoy better vision. Some 3treet lamps are certainly troublesome, but it is useless attempting to outdazzlo them. A pedestrian dazzled by car lamps in a welllit street is quite likely to dash blindly into a dangerous siuation; BRITISH OARS IN U.S.A. For the first time British and Continental cars aro to bo admitted to tho New York Show which opens on January 5. There will be 225 exhibitors, representing several nations, and 200 models ■will bo shown by 42 individual manufacturers. Following will be the cars represented : Austin, Daimler, Vauxhall, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, Auburn, Buick, Cadillac, Chandler, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Cunningham, De Soto, Dodge Brothers, Du Pont, Durant, Elcar, Erskine, Essex, Franklin, Gardner, Graham-Paige, Hudson, Hupinobile, Jordan, Kissel, La Salle, Lincoln, Locomobile, Marnion, Moon, Nash, Oakland, Oldsniobile, Packard, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow, Plymouth, Pontiac, Reo, Roanier. Stearns, Studebaker, S.tutz, Velio, Willys-Knight, Whippet, Yellow taxicabs. NON-INFLAMMABLE FUEL. 'A demonstration has just been given in Paris of tho non-inflammablo qualities of a motor spirit invented by a Russian engineer by name of Makhonino. This spirit has been made for several years though it is not yet on the market for privato consumers But it is being sold to largo consumers, such as tho French aviation service and for ocean liners. It is said that it will soon be available for privato motorists in France. It can be used on an ordinary car by a slight alteration in tho adjustment of the carburettor. It is mado in part from heavy oils ana partly from coal. The cost is 20 per cent, less than that of petrol, and tho consumption, it is stated, is 40 per cent. less. It will not tako fire lifter being warmed iri the car in tho course of use. It will resist the application of a wliito hot iron.