CROSSING SIGNALS.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 7, 10 July 1930, Page 11

CROSSING SIGNALS.

"GREEN FOB DANGER"

IS THERE CONFUSION?

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING

The tragic collision at Stoekibun recently when six persons last their lives, has revived the whole question of rail-

croßsing signals and the fact that a green

light or flag is shown by crossing-keep- > era to indicate danger is again the subject of much comment, n the minds of many motorists the showing of green for danger as crossings is very confusing as

red is almost universally recognised) as

the danger colour. The Eailway and motoring interests are negotiating -with the object of introducing a system of signals for the motorist that will reduce risk to a minimum. Nothing definite has yet been done, but every effort is being made to, evolve a system that will prove satisfactory to both the railway authorities and the motorists.

When the subject was referred to the Auckland Automobile Association it was stated that the Railway Department and the Main Highways Board were co-oper ating very closely, as they had been for several years, in an effort, to eliminate railway crossings. A list of crossings had been prepared, together with an or-

der of preference. As a result, a number of the most dangerous crossings were being eliminated each year, and all new highways that were being constructed' were being made to cross railways either by means of overhead bridges or by subways.

DUTIES OF CROSSING-KEEPERS

The regulation unxTer which crossingkeepers operate reads as follows:—* ""Any person driving any vehicle or riding or driving an animal shall, if and when required by any officer of the railway stationed on any level crossing on the railway for the purpose of controllin traffic thereover, comply with the direction of such officer by stopping before entering on to such crossing for so long a time as such officer shall deem necessary in order to permit of $||c passage of trains or to prevent accidents. The exhibition of a green flag or the holding up of his hand by day r exhibition of a green light by night shall be deemed a sufficient notice that the officer requires such driver or rider to stop."

' ' The present system of showing a green light at a crossing when a train is approaching is very confusing to the motorist/ said one Auckland car owner, when the subject was referred to him. "A red light is always regarded as the danger signal and a motorist accustomed to travelling on city roads becomes used to stopping when a tram in

front of Mm shows a red light. The system in vogue at present is probably all right for the New Zealand motorist who knows or should know, the rules but it must be confusion in the extreme to the man from another country."

WHY RED IS NOT SHOWN

When the matter was referred to a railway official in the South earlier in the week he saioi that it would be mv practicable to use any other colour than grfcen to hold up traffic, for the reason that the signals were visible from the engines of incoming trains. Consequently, if red were displayed the effect would be to cause trains to stop. He pointed out that the signals for engine drivers were of the semaphore type, no notice being taken of flags or lamps displayed by crossing-keepers unless of course, red) was shown. In such an event a train , would be pulled' up instantly, owing to , the signals being regarded as an emergency ' one on all railways. He asked | what; would happen if red-were shown to traffic approaching a crossing, claiming '"fliap it would result in every train being

Although, the Railway Department went to the trouble of putting men on ' crossing duty with a view to prevent a loss.Of life it was not uncommon,? hesaid, for motorists to drive past them on occasions. Even if the men on duty were armed with, guns, some drivers would defy them in order to avoid a wait for a minute or two so that a train might pass.

In many part of the United States there are . automatic gates which close the road on the approach of a train. These gates are often seen in film "thrtt lers" and many a one has been used to hold up the "hero" racing to get to the •next station before the\train*. which, in these cases, is usually carrying the ''rival" and the "girl" or the villain of the peace. A suggestion that thea. automatic gates might be introduced* to eliminate the level crossing danger in New Zealand was recently; made by Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, ex-Mayor of Christchurch.