“BEATING THE TRAIN.”

Shannon News, 28 August 1923, Page 3

“BEATING THE TRAIN.”

HEAVY PENALTIES ASKED FOR. Letters in connection with. the contravention- of railway ? ' 'by-laws- ,by vehicle ■ drivers crossing-".level crossings, and concerning drivers who have run into slips or vehicles have been lorwarded to the Minister of Railways by the executive' council oi t'he Locomotive Engineers’ Association. ' ...

Tbe former asks the ' Mirnster to take action in every „ case where; the by-laws concerning level crossings have not been observed, and has been reported by engine-drivers.. The council , Suggests that the • penalty should be made more severe, and that, where a drivei* is found guilty, of an offence ■he should not, be allowed to. drive a vehicle in a public place again. The council states that eases have occurred where car drivers have, ‘turned •round and laughed at the enginedriver. ' ; • ?

A’ second letter, suggests that in cases where engines haye run into slips or washouts or been?.in other accidents, the drivers .should be allowed.-two months’ leaVe on full pay to recover their , nerves. It is pointed out that' men cannot afford •to lay off, and have in some cases had to resume work with nerves' unstrung, which, was not in tire interests ol he men or the travelling public. In some cases men have had. to lay off a considerable time and then take a less responsible position, particularly where there has been-loss •• oflife through a collision.