FAILURE TO STOP.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 402, 8 April 1937, Page 4

FAILURE TO STOP.

CAR AND TRAIN. Fine Imposed on New Plymouth Motorist. Charles Edward James, 01’ New Plymouth, who drove his car over the Waipuku level crossing when a train was approaching, was convicted and fined £1 (costs 10s) ■w'hen he appeared before Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M., in the Stratford Court this morning. Sergeant C. M . Anniss said that at about G p.m. on February 24 Jamet' was driving toward! New Plymouth, and when going over the Waipuku railway crossing the car was struck oy the Wanganui goods train. The car was carried along for some distance, but the driver was not injured. It was raining at the time and visibility was bad'. James clainted that he did not hear th£ whistle of the locomotive until he was right on the crossing. In evidence, defendant said he had stopped his car a short way back from the crossing to light his pipe. There was a fog, andi visibility Was bad. The train w.as coasting down the grade from Waipuku. and he did not hear, or see, it until he heard the whittle. It was then too late to avoid it. He was not travelling at a fast speedi Although his car was covered by insurance, he had incurred expense through the loss of the use of the car while it was being repaired. In convicting defendant, the Magistrate said he was satisfied that James had not deliberately attempted to cross in front of the train.