Hooting continues

Editor,

Regarding my second letter of 1/3/12, which was not intended for publication, I am mystified as to why you thought it was necessary to take up space by printing it in 12/3/12 edition.

However, your readers will now have learned that 68 per cent of [train] drivers use the horn. This was calculated on 25 trains heard between 3.16pm and 5.33pm. This rate is probably slightly above daily average i.e. 6am to 6pm. This is a ridiculously high rate, especially when you consider that over 99 per cent of it is unnecessary, sometimes because there is no-one there.

Kiwi Rail and most drivers seem to believe most people do not have the intelligence to understand the purpose of flashing red lights, ringing bells (are these really necessary?) and lowered barrier arms. Though why they should also believe that they will understand what the toot means seems illogical.

I consider the sound of train horns should be a rare event and horns be used for their proper purpose of