THE CROSSING MENACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20929, 20 July 1931, Page 8

THE CROSSING MENACE.

In delivering his finding on the deaths of three people killed in a level crossing accident at Stratford, the district coroner made certain direct and very pertinent observations on what was involved. Much that ho said was repetition of what has been frequently urged before against the peril ever lurking at the crossing. It is necessary repetition, because, as this spot at Stratford proved so tragically, sufficient impression has not yet been made on the authorities or on public opinion to produce the desired result, the elimination of level crossings. Two points the coroner made were especially deserving of emphasis. The first was that if the railways were run by private enterprise the Government itself would demand much more activity in dealing with dangerous- crossings than a Government department displays. The second concerned the dangers and the anxiety to which engine crews are exposed through the possibility of fatal accidents. As the coroner said, they are often overlooked, but they should not be. In making these references to the railway side of the question, he did not omit to mention the duty resting on motorists to exercise care and vigilance in approaching a crossing. His

Comments were by no means onesided. Two new possibilities give added point to protests against the failure to deal-adequately with such death-traps. The board of management lately made responsible for the railways should have the whole question brought forcibly to its notice as one to which it should give urgent attention. However, its main anxiety is finance, and the cost of handling the • problem comprehensively might be regarded as a serious handicap on whatever efforts it might feel disposed to make. It should, therefore, -get into touch with the Unemployment Board as soon as that body is appointed. It will have much money to spend and will presumably be looking about for useful objectives which will provide employment for idle hands. The elimination of level crossings is a task that has long needed attacking, and unemployment funds could be

used for it far more usefully than for many things financed by them in the immediate past. The coroner's finding comes at a time to give these suggestions great weight.