COMPULSORY STOP SIGNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3961, 11 February 1930, Page 10

COMPULSORY STOP SIGNS.

MOTORISTS CONVICTED. CHRISTCHURCH, February 3. A question of interest to motorists was decided in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when five motorists were charged before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., with failing to stop at a compulsory stop sign near a railway crossing. At the suggestion of the Minister of Transport (Mr W. A. Veitch) the prosecution was brought by the Crown, for whom Mr A. W. Brown appeared.

Mr Brown said that the five cases were all in connection with the Harewood road crossing, near the Papanui railway station. The signs were placed at various crossings in Canterbury ano in other parts of New Zealand. An Act of 1926 stated that all motorists must stop at a railway line before crossing it. Apparently it was found that this was not absolutely necessary, except where compulsory stop signs were erected. At the end of last year, said Mr Brown, a case similar to the present case came before Mr E. C. Levvev, S.M. It became apparent in that case* that the Canterbury Automobile Association, which had been a prime mover in getting the signs erected, was not satisfied with the placing of the signs, and because there was a conflict of opinion the magistrate dis missed the case, in order to bring the matter under the notice of the authorities. Shortly after the case a car was badly smashed by a train at the same crossing. Mr Brown said it was a question of opinion whether or not the signs had been placed in the right place, but it did not alter the law. Holding that the signs were perfectly reasoi” able the magistrate convicted and discharged the defendants without penalty. . “ I think the Government is justified in erecting the signs in the interests of the public,” said Mr Mosley. “There is no reason for rushing over crossings.”