THE LEVEL CROSSING DANGER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18754, 6 January 1923, Page 12

THE LEVEL CROSSING DANGER

DEPARTMENTAL STATEMENT, iFhom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. January 5. Tlte many accidents at, railway crossings in New Zealand are no doubt, largely the result of carelessness on the part of drivers of motor cars and other vehicles. The department states that drivers should actually obey the warning to “Stop" and “Look out for the Engine.” ' Yet scarcely anyone obeys the injunction. In recent years the department has made a. further effort to prevent accidents by erecting a second sign post on either side of and some little distance from the crossing. The object of these posts, which are shaped like a cross, with the words “I-evel crossing" on the arms, is to give the motorist n “breather” before he roaches (he danger zone, and so enable him to pull up in a short, space of time should the approach of a train make such a course of action necessary. The department is carrying out improvements at crossings wherever possible. Some crossings, however, are so situated that it is not easy for motorists and others to get a view of an approaching train. Lnttings, hedges, ami trees intervene at a number of t'm prineinnl crossings in the dominion that is, the crossings most used by the pnhlir. 'llia automatic hell system is in use. and this seems to have worked satisfactorily in the past. As soon as a train aopronehes the hell is set ringing, and it rings continuously until the danger is past. Sometimes it happens that the warning bell signal is not heard or disregarded, and the. department is now experimenting with a “wigwag” signal, which it will ho difficult to pass without notice.