TOLL OF ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 10

TOLL OF ROAD

HOLIDAY ACCIDENTS LEVEL CROSSING DANGER MAXIMUM CAUTION NEEDED [by telegraph—PßESS association] CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday A serious view of the number of level crossing accidents during, the recent holiday period is taken by the Minister of Transport, the Hon.'R. Semple. In a statement to-night he emphasised one feature —that many of those accidents had taken place near the homes of the persons involved.

"Twcntv-cight persons were killed on the roads during the holiday season from December 23 to February 5," said the Minister. "This figure compares with 39 during the same period of the 1938 summer holiday and 28 during the 1939 season. In view of the substantial increase in traffic this reduction in the death rate per 10,000 vehicles may be regarded as a reasonably creditable performance. A Serious Aspect "One aspect of holiday accidents is particularly serious. Since January 1 eight lives have been lost in . level crossing accidents. There have .also been a number of non-fatal accidents and in addition to those killed seven persons have been more or less seriously injured. "There are certain features of the recent level crossing accidents which deserve particular notice," said Mr. Semple. "In at least four cases the drivers were past middle age. The older a driver becomes the greater the need for caution, because of a diminishing keenness of vision and slower reactions.

"Another feature of recent accidents was that more than half occurred on crossings near the drivers' own homes. Familiarity with a crossing should not induce contempt or neglect of its dangers. Even a knowledge of the timetables is not sufficient. One of the recent collisions was with a Bpecial excursion train. Building Overhead Bridges "I have frequently been criticised for spending public money on the construction of overhead bridges," said the Minister. "Surely the heavy toll exacted by level crossings provides more than sufficient justification for that policy. Wherever road and rail intersect there lurks a hazard to the safety of motorists. "Level crossings are unlike road intersections. A train, driver with a strict schedule to maintain cannot be expected to respect any right hand rule. Crossing can be a death trap and I look forward to the day when all of the. worst of these will have been eliminated. Until that time arrives, however, motorists must combat the danger by exercising the maximum caution."