Railway Forum - Safer level crossings ?

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How come she did not see the barrier across the road then?
I would have though a piece of something across a road at that height would not have been difficult to see even in bright sunlight. Perhaps people these days drive too fast in the hopes of beating a barrier if it should start to come down and cannot stop as a result. I have often seen people accelerate to get over the Holme crossing after the lights have started flashing and barely got underneath. No matter what is used idiots will always try to get by, over or underneath. In the good old days running into the gate would wreck the car but not these lightweight bits of metal and for all I know plastic modern barriers are made from.
John.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madcaravanner (Post 78402)

Got to agree strongly a level crossing is dangerous only if it's used incorrectly

The fatality at Moreton-on-Lugg a few years ago was blamed squarely on the signaller. He became confused and opened the barrier when he should not have done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandalf (Post 78406)

How come she did not see the barrier across the road then? I would have though a piece of something across a road at that height would not have been difficult to see even in bright sunlight. Perhaps people these days drive too fast in the hopes of beating a barrier if it should start to come down and cannot stop as a result. I have often seen people accelerate to get over the Holme crossing after the lights have started flashing and barely got underneath. No matter what is used idiots will always try to get by, over or underneath. In the good old days running into the gate would wreck the car but not these lightweight bits of metal and for all I know plastic modern barriers are made from.
John.

The warning lights were not up to standard and therefore not legal and the brightness of the sun was a contributing factor.
The lady who died was middle aged and had her grandchild in the vehicle, who thankfully survived.
The RAIB gave the lights as a Causal Factor. The lady in question faced no blame.
Stuart

Transport Committee hold second evidence session on safety at level crossings

Quote:

Monday 4 November 2013, Grimond Room, Portcullis House

In the first evidence session for this inquiry, the Committee heard from relatives of level crossing accident victims. The Committee also heard about user behaviour and education, as well as the legal framework and policing of level crossings.

Sorry, but ANY level-crossing is safe, IF used in the correct manner.

Even a two year old knows that a flashing red light means "Danger Stop". A barrier or half barrier also means "Danger Stop". If people feel they can take a chance then that is not the fault of the railway. It is their own fault. The only down side is the effect it has on other people, the driver, passengers, witnesses and those left behind.

I agree with every word you say Sid, people are responsible for their own actions.
P/S, hope your wife is well on her way to a speedy recovery.

Plenty fatal level crossing events have taken place in South Africa too, the most notorious was a taxi driver who was transporting school children, passed all the stationary vehicles and was hit by a train resulting in the deaths of 10 kids. He got 20 years in jail but in my opinion the sentence was too light. :mad:

Well today Switzerland had a serious incident here is the report I got with photo

Quote:

A fairly serious accident happened this morning on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn at an unguarded crossing in Morel (Valais, east of Brig). A delivery van is enter in collision with a local passenger train causing this one to derail and injuries to about 12 peoples (none serious)...and for the time being the line is closed to any traffic, this include the Glacier Express.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/pr...DTHU=w120-h120