RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15306, 6 August 1923, Page 6

RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.

AT LEVEL CROSSINGS. BTEPB TO PREVENT THEM. RAILWAYMEN'S RECOMMENDATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Saturday. Letters in connection with the contravention of the railway by-laws by vehicles, drivers crossing level crossings, and concerning drivers who have run into slips or vehicles, have been forwarded to the Minister of Railways by the executive council of the Locomotive Engineers' Association. The former asked the men to take action, In every case where the by-laws concerning level crossinggs have not been observed and have been reported by tho engine drivers. The Council suggests that the penalty should be made more severe, and that where a driver is found guilty of an offence he should be not allowed to drive vehicles in a public place again. The Council states that cases have occured where car drivers, after beating a train over a crossing, turned round and laughed at the enginedriver. A second letter suggests that in cases where engines have run into slips or washouts or have been in other accidents the men should be allowed two months' leave on full pay to recover their nerves. It is pointed out that the men cannot afford to lay off, and have in some cases had to resume with their nerves unstrung, which was not In the interests of the men or the travelling public. In some cases the men have had to lay off for a considerable time, and then take a less responsible position, particularly where there has heen loss of life through collisions.