LEVEL CROSSINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1928, Page 3

LEVEL CROSSINGS

QUESTION OF SAFETY. THE IA! PA RTM ENT’S POLICY. AUCKLAND, Dee. 7. A declaration in regard to the policy of the Railway Depart incut concerning level crossings was made by Mr 11. T. Gillies, Crown Solicitor at /Hamilton, in the Magistrate’s Court, when prosecuting a motorcyclist. lor failing to keep a vigilant look-out at Yictoria street crossing. Mr Gillies said there had been a lot of criticism of tin* Railway Department for not properly safeguard ing level crossings. There were 200(1 level crossings in New Zealand. It cost a : ,limit £2OOO to construct a subway or an overhead bridge, and to make all level crossings sale would involve an expenditure ol about £1,000.000. The country was not in it position to stand this expense and tho "Bni I way Department did the next host thing. Tll the public interest, it made regulations requiring people who use the crossings to keep a vigilant look-out. The prosecutions which from time to time on me before the Court were brought with the object rif .causing people to he carolul when approaching these crossings. Tf, was a remarkable tiling, eouiise 1 said, that the majority of the accidents occurred at .sin Die crossings end not really dangerous ones. The Deoarlmonl.. had not brought the ornsoeuLions under the Statute requiring vehicles to slop when approa-h----ii><r rr /• -i 11 gs. It. would perhaps be better of it did. The prosecutions it did bring wen*, however, entirely in the interests of the public and to draw ihe nttonf.io.ll of motorists to the*, necessiiv for observing dm* care. 011 approaching crossings.