PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12392, 11 March 1926, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION

LEVEL CROSSING ACCIDENTS (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) gir I regret I cannot quite agree with the views expressed in the many columns of correspondence including vour “leaders” as published in the “N.Z. Times,” concerning the regrettaibie railway accidents. I have studied the matter carefully on many occasions, and when such accidents occur one natnrollv gives instant thought to the cause and cure I have been motoring for over M years, so that T may be permitted to express an opinion on the subject without displaying egotism over the fact that as with everythmg else, practice should make perfect, ’ and experience teaches.” . First and foremost I agree with the views as expressed by the Railway Department officials. My Tlc \ s r f; most identical with those published in to-day’s “N.Z. Times.' There are four reasons why accidents may occur, either in the country districts or within the city gates. 1. The driver talking to passengers whilst car is moving. (This is far too prevalent in Wellington city.) 2. Carelessness of driver through being a resident of the district, through which he is travelling; he feeling that, “Oh it’s 4 p.m. and- there s no train due to pass now” ; forgetting the tram may be late. . Drunkenness of driver. 4. Absolute incompetence, ignoranoe, coupled with non-skill of driver. Deaf people should not drive cars, nor those with deficient eyesight. There are far too many licenses issued in all districts to supposedly learned drivers. Half the drivers in New Zealand, both city and country, have seldom (if at all) been put through a gruelling test before license is issued to them, In Wellington the traffio inspectors put each applicant through the average difficult test that is possible, under ordinary conditions; hut it is not the ordinary conditions which count, but the extraordinary conditions; and therefore it is reasonable to suggest that, in city driving, time alone can teach drivers how to act in emergency cases. Inspectors when issuing licenses cannot pre-arrange emergency tests. It requires considerable skill and instantaneous action on the part of a driver when he meets unexpected trouble. Not until a comprehensive booklet is printed embodying universal regulations for the whole of New Zealand, also pointing out necessary causes and ouTes —or rather preventive methods to adopt by drivers—and the issuing of same at a reasonable price to. every driver when he takes out bis license, will accidents be lessened. In fact such a book of rules and regulations should be set as an examination and the applicant pass the test first before acquiring a license. Motors have come to staythe percentage of accidents is very small in New Zealand for the number of cars and narrow streets. It certainly looks terrible to read of several fatalities all in a bunch like the recent ones: hut taking the average for New Zealand, we are indeed lucky in this Dominion. I am prepared' to state that there is no need for any accident at a railway crossing if drivers observe the ordinary rules of the road and use common sense. In the city, motorists are likely to knock someone flying at any time; and it will he worse as time goes on unless the safety white tracks are laid across at all intersections promptly; thus giving pedestrians more security, and also giving drivers that protection against “Jay-walkers” that they are entitled to receive. —I am, etc., R. LESLIE JONES. 5/3/’2G.

SAFETY FIRST (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —If your readers are not tired of the level crossings topic, and especially as it is a matter of the safety of life and limb, may I make a suggestion far What it is worth ? It is the outcome of travelling on the-No. 2 tram route constantly, which is via the tunnel at Hataitai. Anyone who uses this route regularly - will know that on the city side of the tunnel there is a fairly large mirror affixed to the post just on the corner which enables the driver of the tram to see the reflection through the tunnel, thus showing him if the road is clear. Could not this mirror principle be applied to level crossings, particularly such dangerous ones as that between Paekakariki and Paraparaumu, where on one side IJje approach is up a steep gradient and a train coming towards Wellington cannot be seen. Possibly, in the daytime mirrors may not bo as effective, although the matter of angle and arrangement does not seem insuperable, but at night time the lights of the engine reflected in the mirrors would be an undoubted warning to oncoming motorists. What do motorists think of the idea? If practicable the suggestion would not be a very costly one.—l am, etc., SCRIBENDI. DEPARTMENTAL ECONOMIES (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —I be& to draw the attention of the commission appointed to consider departmental economies to an item of quite £IOOO per annum which may be cancelled without loss of efficiency; by combining with the duties of Inspecting Engineer of Mines those of Under-Secretary of Mines, which are now carried out by separate officers without apparent reason. Unti-l recent years one officer held the combined positions of Under-Sec-retary of Publio Works and of Mines, and at present one officer holds the combined positions of Engineer-in-Chief and Under-Secretary of Public Works in a more important department. With the rapidly declining metal mining industry surely a similar economy should obtain in the Mines Department. In the State of Victoria one officer (Mr Merrin) holds the combined positions of Under-Secretary of Min.es, Publio Works, and Government Mining Engineer.—l am, etc.. ECONOMIST.