BASH RISKS AT FLAT CROSSINGS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1790, 1 July 1913, Page 5

BASH RISKS AT FLAT CROSSINGS.

THE RAILWAY OPINION.

ENGINE-DRIVERS' ORDEALS,

(By Telegraph.—Special Correipondent.) Christch'urch, Juno 30. A -"Notts", reporter' discussed to-da; - "with motorists, railway officials, and en {fine drivers the dangers of the level crossing referred to. in a resolution pass ' ed recently by the To-Awaimitu Cham bor of Commers?, for which- the Chambe: is asking the endorsement of local bodie all over the country. • Dr, Louisson, president of the Canter bury Automobile Association, said tlia a month agcrlie had been one of a depu tation from the New Zealand Motor As Bociation thnt waited upon the Hon. H D. Bell in connection with this and otlio: matters. A number of suggestions (ii li 3 opinion, none of them very practical' ■Were laid before the Minister-, and theri the matter rested. In Europe he hai seen in action a schema whereby gate: wore lowered automatically as a train aif preached, and the gates had appeared as dangerous and had caused as many accidents as an open crossing. A scheme foi belM to be rung automatically seemed tc him the best idea. In general, however, lie thought that it was incumbent or 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 cases when the tram was stopped. I'hero were not enough of them to justify the Department conceding the request made'by. the Canterbury Automobile Association some tiino ago that keepers should be stationed at all Gassings. Further, the Department took the • view that it was not its duty to give added .protection at all orossings. ■_ The levels were properly graded, and in each case the engine gave an alarm wiistle in <&mplo time to warn traffic. "Had You That Time!" In the round hquso at the railway station information. was harder to gain as tlie 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. "Wo have to. be very teareful." . Another was a little more _ explicit, though not willing to quote individual places or happenings. "Motor-cars, and to ft' less extent motor cycles, are a constant worry to us," ho said. "They Tun Tight up to the crossing, and then can't mako rcp their minds whether to try to shoot noross or to pull up..' Wo 'have to think quickly to avoid trouble. Now and then they, think that they are flying, and are qnito sure that they can get over. They forget, however, how fast we are travelling, and now and then one gqts caught. They take risks, and, when you have had to wonder-fjiow 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 orossing tho WeJfa Pass. WJieti the first whistle was giten all in tho car looked round. They .certainly saw the train, but kept on their way. A second whistle ■was disregarded too, and the oar sliot nver the lines only a foot or so from the engine. Efforts were made to identify that car, and, had it been found, a prosecution would have followed. f Cyclist, Butts into, Train!' The danger was greatest with'tho fast -trains, but it was equally real with the slower trains, as, with them, motorist seom tempted to take greater liberties. Not even the bells at the suburban crossings seemed to adequately warn these people, A little while ago a,motor cyclist had. charged right into the side of an engine. Thero were not, in his opinion, many crossings at which the enginedriver could not get a fair view, and hi his experience at these, the drivers were veTy oareful to whistle'not only at, the' regulation 300 yards distance, 'but also ynen oloser up. MINIBTER'B LETTER,' MINIMISING THE RISKS: The Minister for Bftil<tfavs (the Hon. W. H. Hemes) ihias forwarded the following latter to Mt. J, Craigie, f11.P., on the subject of level;crossings: "I ajn in receipt of' the petition praying for protection of railway crossings at Temuia. Your representations in support of the petition are noted, and I am going into the matter. Some time ago 1 issued instructions that reports were to bo supplied mo by tlie different local officers on those crossings in the Dominion considered by thorn to be dapgerous, and when ithis report comes to hand I am hopeful that eotnO scheme may be devised whoreby risks to the general public will be minimised. I would, however, point out that representations have.been made to the Department by tlie Engine Drivers', Mremen's, -and Cleaners' Association, to tho recklessness frequently displayed at level crossings by chauffeurs, motor . cyclists, and motor lorry drivers, and it is claimed that such conduct has added very materi- " --ally to the anxiety, engine drivers experience in approaching level crossings. The trouble appears to bo that too much Teliarico is placed on tho fact that motordriven _voniclcs can bo stopped within a short distance, and in consequence thereof . the motorists do not exercise the necessarycartj in approaching lovel crossings. However, full inquiries'are being- made into the matter, and in thoso instances where the crossings aro really dangerous an endeavour will be made to minimise tho danger as far as possible." ,