Level Crossings.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 457, 19 May 1932, Page 8

Level Crossings.

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —While reading of the recent fatality on an open crossing, I have thought that as the present Government is in need of every bob it can get, and is using drastic measures to get the required amount, it should fine those motorists who do not stop before they approach the crossing. The Railway Department has furnished the crossings with notices to draw the attention of motorists, but they get behind the wheels of their cars and drive over and don’t bother about the signs. Some get across, but some don’t, and I think that if the Government were to put a man on, say, one crossing, and take all numbers of cars which passed over without stopping and fined them a good heavy fine, or cancelled their licenses for a period, it would soon teach other motorists to watch their pockets or the crossings. This would surely keep the motorists on the look out for the two lines which let the railway trains travel to their destinations, and make him or her remember their penalty if they cross without stopping. It would not be advisable to put a man in uniform on the crossings, but put a man in civilian clothes (unemployed) on. Motorists know that the train cannot come off the rails to run them down, and only occupies 3ft 6in of New Zealand at each crossing. Surely they know that they must come off second best in the event of being hit. Also do they know that the railway is a Government and State-owned concern, which must have the right to travel at what speed it likes. I, myself, am a holder of a driver’s ticket for cars or trucks, and can conscientiously say I believe in that little board with “ Stop, Look Out for the Engine ” at each crossing, and if every one was to do as requested at the crossings there w T ould be none of the fatal smashes which often result in someone being killed or left to suffer injury for the rest of his life.—l am. etc., WATCH FOR DARKIE.