LEVEL CROSSINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1926, Page 2

LEVEL CROSSINGS

PR PM M .MINISTER’S STATEAIEXT. [by TELEGRAM—I’ER MESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, March 7. 1U lion J. G. Coates, as Minister of Railw t vs, made a statement on Saturday regarding the level crossing fatalities and the comments thereon hy the press and tho Chambers of Commerce. "It is obvious to all reasonable persons,” said Air Coates, “ that trains cannot always run to time and persons who assume that the regular trains have passed crossings take grave and unwarranted risks. Tile number of accidents through vehicles, particularly motor vehicles, colliding with trains indicates that the drivers of the vehicles are neglecting the duty that they owe to themselves and to the train-using public. The complete elimination of crossings is impracticable, owing to the cost. Probably it would not he less than two millions. -Motorists frequently have to stop travelling fast in the city streets, and yet on the country roads, in spile of warnings and of their knowledge that frequent fatal accidents result from neg- ■ leet. motor drivers frequently and recklessly ignore the necessity of care. The Railway Department has provided for approximately ten level crossings in one year, and has in mind the completing of a further quota at an early date. It has also installed warning devices (which are not infrequently ignored) : but care on the part of road users and the adoption of measures to impress on them the penalties of neglect are the only means of solving the problem. 11l the meantime, the Department is lnuncning a ‘careful crossing; campaign.’ drawing attention to the need for ‘ safety first ’ principles, and it is hoped, with the support of the local bodies and the Automobile Associations, that the force of public opinion may lie brought to hear in a. universal condemnation of negligence at level crossings.