“STRATFORD EVENING POST” THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1929. RAILWAY CROSSINGS.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 36, 14 February 1929, Page 4

“STRATFORD EVENING POST” THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1929. RAILWAY CROSSINGS.

A FULL investigation is being made by the Railway Department into the level crossing problem with a view, to effecting as much improvement as possible. The Minister of Railways Hon. W. B. Taverner, stated that there aro about 3000 crossings in Newt Zealand, and wnerover Du> yDopartmeJit can do so it is assisting to earniuato tho worst places. That is all the, Department • can be expected to do, for it is in tho interests of road users as well as the railways to make crossings safe. Many people take up the view that the elimination or improvement of crossings is entirely the function of the Railway Department, but as a general principle that is quite unreasonable.. The railway crossing menace has only become acute since the advent of motor traffic on, a huge scale, and as thjo safety of crossings is of equal moment to motorists as well as to the Railway Department, the former must contribute their share.. In ..America a great deal has been done to improve crossings but in that country the Railway Companies, though providing part of th(o cost have not contributed anything like the bulk of it. Tho_Railway Department is not without responsibility in this matter ami must do its full share.. However, although many of the crossings are veritable death traps the, majority are reasonably safe, and if proper care were taken by motorists the number of bad accidents would be considerably reduced. Under the circumstances the Railways cannot he expected to shoulder the whole, of the cost of improvement.