LEVEL GROSSINGS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144134, 2 July 1913, Page 4

LEVEL GROSSINGS.

DANGERS TO TRAFFIC. CHRISTCHURCH, June 30. A Nows reporter discussed to-day with motorists, railway officials, and en-gine-drivers the dangers of the. level crossing referred to in a resolution passed recently by tho To Awamntn Chamber of Commerce, for which the Chamber is asking tho endorsement cf local bodies all over tho country. Dr. Louisson, president of the Canterbury Automobile Association; said that a month ago he had been one of a deputation front the New Zealand Motor Association that waited upon tho lion. H. D. Bell in connection with this and other matters. A number of suggestions (in his opinion none ol them very practical) were laid before tho Minister, and there. the matter rested. In Europe he had seen in action 'a scheme whereby gates ware lowered automatically as a train approached, and the gates had appeared as dangerous and had caused as many accidents as an open crossing. A scheme for Kells to he rung automatically seemed to him the best idea. In general, however, ho thought that it was incumbent on motorists and cyclists to be more careful than many of them were at present. He thought that even the Styx crossing (where a : motorist was killed some time ago) is not really dangerous to a wideawake rider.

A prominent railway official said that reports of narrow escapes were sent in by the engine-drivers, but these were required only in eases when the train was stoupecl. There were not enough of them to justify the department conceding the request made by the Canterbury Automobile Association some time ago" that keepers should bo stationed at all crossings. Further, the department took the view that it was not its duty to give added protection at -all crossings. Tho levels were properly graded, aud iu each case the engine gave an alarm whistle in, ample time to warn traffic. "HAD YOU THAT TIME!” In the round house at the railway station information was harder to gain, as the drivers are hedged about by rules and regulations which do not permit them to say much for publication. "The risk is a daily occurrence with us fellows,” said one. "We have to be very careful.” Another was a little more explicit, though not willing to quote individual places or happenings. "Motor-ears, and to a less extent motor-cycles, are a constant worry to us,” ho said. "They run right up' to the crossing, and then can’t make up their minds whether to try and shoot across or to pull up. We have to think quickly to avoid trouble. Now and then they think that they are Hying, and are quite sure that, they can get over. They forget, however." how fast wo are travelling, and. now and then one gets caught. They take risks, and when you have had to wonder how you can best save their lives, they turn round and grin at you as much as to say, ‘Had you that time!’ ” RECKLESS LADY DRIVER.. The same driver went on to say that often motorists disregarded the warning whistles altogether. Some little time ago a'big car driven by a lady had had a very narrow-escape at the viaduct crossing the Woka- Pass. When ’the first whistle was given all in the car looked round. They certainly saw the train, hut kept on their way. A second whistle was disregarded too, and the car shot over the linos only a foot it so from the engine. Efforts were made to identify that car, and; had it been found, a prosecution would have followed. CYCLIST BUTTS INTO TRAIN. Tho danger was greatest with the fast trains, but it was equally real with -he slower trains, as, with them! motorists seem tempted to take greater liberties. Not even the bells at tho suburban crossings seemed to adequately warn those people. A littlo while ago a motor cpclist had charged right into the side of an engine. There were not, ia his opinion, many crossings at which the engine-driver could not get a failview. and in his experience at thes6 the drivers were very careful to whistle not only at - tho regulation 300 yards distance, but also when closer up.