CROSSING SIGNALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16875, 27 October 1922, Page 9

CROSSING SIGNALS.

WHAT DOES GREEN LIGHT MEAN?

With reference to the dir-cWßsion which the Selwyn Street crossing accident has evoked regarding the crossing signal lights, it is pointed out that the green light used by the crossing keeper, and which has been the cause of a good deal of confusion, is merely the safety light for the approaching trains, and is not a signal for street traffic at all. The public has become accustomed, by long usage, to look for a red light an a danger signal, and the exhibition of the green light to permit the train to get through, causes confusion in flic minds of approaching motorists and others who are not fuilv acquainted with tho position. The inconsistency of the position of the Railway Deparfcmbent, it is pointed out. is that a red light is exhibited for the trains, and 'hat. co-incident with the showing of this red signal, the crossing keeper is showing green. It is contended that it should he possible tor the signals at crossings to be made automatic, and that red lights should be shown for both train and other traffic. A Christchurch business man stated to-day that it has become the practice of taxi drivers, who have accustomed themselves to the vagaries of the present signal system, to ignore the crossing keeper altogether, and place :o!e reliance on the train signals. This has been found to be the safer method -So far as the crossing keeper’s light i's concerned, it has to do only with approaching trains and not with the street traffic.