LEVEL CROSSINGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 125, 26 April 1940, Page 6

LEVEL CROSSINGS.

(To'the Editor.)

Sir, —The numerous accidents at level crossings—railway and highway — clearly indicate that the demand for eilicient automatic crossing keeper signals is painfully lacking. In this city electric bells and flashlights are placed at the sides of all the most dangerous railway crossings. These signals, while in action, certainly compel users of these particular crossings to “Look out for the engine,” hut n the approaching train seems to allow plenty of time for them to cross they, or at least many of them, do not hesitate to do so. 't he department, apparently, is quite aware of the inefficiency of these compulsory Stop signals as the engine-driver is to supplement them by the customary shriek of the engine's whistle. Pedestrian crossings, now being fitted with flashlight signals at each side of the street, are observed with mathematical precision, often to the point of stupidity. This is about the only word to express the position when all wheel traffic is held up waiting to cross, although no pedestrian he in sight. Most people, especially strangers, look tor obstructions aiid dangers directly in their path. Doubtless the authorities have a special reason lor erecting a signal at each side of the street when o.ne signal, placed in the middle of the street, would provide a much better service at half the cost. The absurdity of the railway level crossing signals can only he equalled by having two officers on point duty instead of one, and standing on t(ie street boundary, directing the .traffic with their backs glued to the fence. Doubtless the Railway Department lias a reason for maintaining such an inefficient system of protection against crossing accidents in preference to erecting an automatic crossing-keeper. At any rate, I think that the travelling public are entitled to some explanation as to wliy the department does not scrap the present obsolete system in favour of a common-sense automatic level cross-ing-keeper or its equivalent.—l am, Cto ” C. 11. MASON. April 24, 1940.