LEVEL CROSSINGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16938, 12 January 1923, Page 9

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

QUESTION OF PROTECTION. “ In nine cases out of ten it is the driver of the motor-car who is to blame," said Mr J. S. Ilawkes. chairman of the executive of the South Island Motor Union, at last night's meeting of the executive when the question of level crossing fatalities was referred to. Mr N. M. Orbed; Arc you going to let. these people get killed? Mr Hawker: If you are going t.o spend money to protect the careless man ”ou will be spending it all your life. Mr Orbell said that there were some crossings where overhanging trees or hedges obscured a view of the line and a man with a noisy motor-car might not hear a train coming. Mr W. G. Tonks suggested that where electric bells were installed at level crossings they should be placed further back from the line, so that a motorist would be given plenty of warning of the approach of a train. He said that at the Styx crossing the bells were not placed far enough back. Mr Hawkes said that as the law stood at present the onus was on the motorist to pull up and see that the line was clear. Mr Orbell said that at some crossings the line was so obscured that even if a motorist did pull up he could not see if a train were coming until he was almost on the 3 line. There was some further discussion but it dropped without any resolution being carried.