Level Crossing Accidents in America

Statistics of level crossing accidents in America, covering the months of January and February of the present year, have just been published by the Interstate Commerce Commission. They show that the number of persons killed at level crossings increased from 258 to 344, or 33 per cent., as compared with the corresponding months of last year, whilst the number of employees killed at places other than level crossings during the same period, declined from 314 to 261. About 85 per cent, of all the fatal accidents at level crossings in America occur to motorists. In commenting on these facts the “Railway Age” says that what is needed to bring about a diminution of these accidents is “better education of motorists regarding the dangers at highway crossings, and the passage and enforcement of laws compelling them to act with more regard for their own safety and that of others.” As far as New Zealand is concerned such laws have long been in existence, and the education of the road using public in the exercise of caution at level crossings is a conspicuous feature of Railway publicity activities at the present time.