Unmanned Level Crossings and the Publics Attitude
Discussion
I was listening to a debate on the radio this morning about Level Crossings and how the public treat them.
There were two Signalmen saying that in their own experiences at the sites that they control, that when the barriers go down....vehicles still go across and run the gauntlet of death.
These are not just one offs but happen on a very regular basis.
Perhaps the answer would be to divert some of the Scameras to these locations to at least act as some sort of deterrant and any revenue gained could be funneled back into the railways.
Or, do you think as i do that anyone driving in this manner and putting peoples lives at risk should be prosecuted for Dangerous Driving at the very least?
Really makes you wonder what is going through some peoples minds!
There were two Signalmen saying that in their own experiences at the sites that they control, that when the barriers go down....vehicles still go across and run the gauntlet of death.
These are not just one offs but happen on a very regular basis.
Perhaps the answer would be to divert some of the Scameras to these locations to at least act as some sort of deterrant and any revenue gained could be funneled back into the railways.
Or, do you think as i do that anyone driving in this manner and putting peoples lives at risk should be prosecuted for Dangerous Driving at the very least?
Really makes you wonder what is going through some peoples minds!
Tonyrec said:
do you think as i do that anyone driving in this manner and putting peoples lives at risk should be prosecuted for Dangerous Driving
Seems reasonable to me... edited to add that I feel the use of cameras at traffic lights and level crossings seems a very good idea. R...
>> Edited by RichB on Monday 8th November 14:08
Nutters that endanger other people's lives as well as their own by crossing after the barrier has gone down should be prosecuted to fullest extent of the law.
Having said this have you seen the public reaction on the BBC's Have Your Say? Basically they're blaming "the motorist"....whilst neatly forgetting to blame (in this case) "the driver".
No definite reason has been given yet for the car being on the track. It is possible it was a hugely selfish suicide, or a piece of piss poor driving.
Thing is...a speed camera at the crossing wouldn't solve the problem. I suppose CCTV (painted bright yellow) might, though...perhaps the equivalent of a "red light" camera might help if well signposted...
But if it was suicide I'm afraid none of these things would have helped.
Having said this have you seen the public reaction on the BBC's Have Your Say? Basically they're blaming "the motorist"....whilst neatly forgetting to blame (in this case) "the driver".
No definite reason has been given yet for the car being on the track. It is possible it was a hugely selfish suicide, or a piece of piss poor driving.
Thing is...a speed camera at the crossing wouldn't solve the problem. I suppose CCTV (painted bright yellow) might, though...perhaps the equivalent of a "red light" camera might help if well signposted...
But if it was suicide I'm afraid none of these things would have helped.
Tonyrec said:
I was listening to a debate on the radio this morning about Level Crossings and how the public treat them.
There were two Signalmen saying that in their own experiences at the sites that they control, that when the barriers go down....vehicles still go across and run the gauntlet of death.
These are not just one offs but happen on a very regular basis.
Perhaps the answer would be to divert some of the Scameras to these locations to at least act as some sort of deterrant and any revenue gained could be funneled back into the railways.
Or, do you think as i do that anyone driving in this manner and putting peoples lives at risk should be prosecuted for Dangerous Driving at the very least?
Really makes you wonder what is going through some peoples minds!
As mentioned on the thread on General Gassing the level crossing on the A27 is a half barrier crossing and in view of the number of drive rounds it now has "red light" cameras.
Those idiots who drive round the barriers are going to end up causing the rest of us almighty delays. The obvious solution to the drive round on the half barriers is to install the full barriers. However these keep the traffic stationery for longer, so increasing delays.
Not only that but going round the barriers is remarkably dangerous as has been proven, and therefore those caught should be heavily punished.
Rod Barrett said:
A cheaper option would be to fit all trains with "snowplough" type bullbars, as the yanks have, anything in the way gets punted into touch, problem solved.
Do these things work? Didn't they used to have them on their trains as they would push animals wandering on the track out of the way?
Nice to see you posting, Rod.
There was a level crossing (unmanned) within a mile of the village that I live in which has recently been replaced with a bridge at a cost of circa £1.5 million. I used to see people dodging the barriers on a reasonably frequent basis (At least monthly) Anyway, the reason for the upgrade was that there have been a number of accidents over the last 30 odd years inluding a GEC transformer getting stuck on the track in the 60's causing a big accident. The latest was someone getting killed in 1999 and a near miss in 2000 which led to local petitions etc. Not one of these accidents were caused by any fault with the barriers! Driver error everytime.
Why is it that many european countries have far more level crossings than we do yet no where near the number of incidents that we have? 
Why is it that many european countries have far more level crossings than we do yet no where near the number of incidents that we have? Tonyrec said:
I was listening to a debate on the radio this morning about Level Crossings and how the public treat them.
There were two Signalmen saying that in their own experiences at the sites that they control, that when the barriers go down....vehicles still go across and run the gauntlet of death.
These are not just one offs but happen on a very regular basis.
Perhaps the answer would be to divert some of the Scameras to these locations to at least act as some sort of deterrant and any revenue gained could be funneled back into the railways.
Or, do you think as i do that anyone driving in this manner and putting peoples lives at risk should be prosecuted for Dangerous Driving at the very least?
Really makes you wonder what is going through some peoples minds!
Liebchen.. ..
Of course it is dangerous driving at its worst. But all the automated level crossings/
swing bridges I have encountered have an audible sign, big flashing lights etc, etc. Would they take note of ban if caught though.... these are the hard core of the most half baked of the half baked pretzel.
Will these nutcases take any notice of a scamera? Even potential £1000 fine as suggested by the chap to the Radio Two prog...may not serve purpose to the really stupid.
Would hard hitting driver information get message across over dangers....?
Would it deter the determined and selfish suicide...... (one closed the M60 after jumping off bridge in front of a car..two months ago .....)
WildCat said:
I was listening to a debate on the radio this morning about Level Crossings and how the public treat them.
There were two Signalmen saying that in their own experiences at the sites that they control, that when the barriers go down....vehicles still go across and run the gauntlet of death.
These are not just one offs but happen on a very regular basis.
Perhaps the answer would be to divert some of the Scameras to these locations to at least act as some sort of deterrant and any revenue gained could be funneled back into the railways.
Or, do you think as i do that anyone driving in this manner and putting peoples lives at risk should be prosecuted for Dangerous Driving at the very least?
Really makes you wonder what is going through some peoples minds!
Liebchen.. ..
Of course it is dangerous driving at its worst. But all the automated level crossings/
swing bridges I have encountered have an audible sign, big flashing lights etc, etc. Would they take note of ban if caught though.... these are the hard core of the most half baked of the half baked pretzel.
Will these nutcases take any notice of a scamera? Even potential £1000 fine as suggested by the chap to the Radio Two prog...may not serve purpose to the really stupid.
Would hard hitting driver information get message across over dangers....?
Would it deter the determined and selfish suicide...... (one closed the M60 after jumping off bridge in front of a car..two months ago .....)
You are so right Wildy, why do we always assume that the threat of prosecution is an answer to a problem.
It can be shown historically that it never works.
You replace crossings with bridges or tunnels and the opportunity to drive onto the track is removed.
That is a correct and permanent solution; providing of course they have adequate barriers.
Actually, these are very few and far between these days - mainly because the US runs so many Consists these days that prevent the use of Pilots ( Cow catchers to the oldies )- you wouldn't be able to couple locomotives together.
Todays modern 'streamline designs also preclude the use of pilots
Probably the biggest contributary factor to this accident was the wedge shaped front end of the loco - it would probably have just ridden over the stationary vehicle.
Piccy mate
Todays modern 'streamline designs also preclude the use of pilots
Probably the biggest contributary factor to this accident was the wedge shaped front end of the loco - it would probably have just ridden over the stationary vehicle.
Piccy mate
Rod Barrett said:
A cheaper option would be to fit all trains with "snowplough" type bullbars, as the yanks have, anything in the way gets punted into touch, problem solved.
piccy mate said:
Come on all of you, you're not thinking laterally...
The ideal solution is to ban all road vehicles!........
.........tee hee !
Piccy mate
>> Edited by piccy mate on Monday 8th November 15:23
Austin Williams did suggest that only way of removing all risk from travel was.......
.....to stay at home und not bother going out at all.
After all ... can trip up on pavement...
und hurt myself .... IOLAIRE said:
You are so right Wildy, why do we always assume that the threat of prosecution is an answer to a problem.
It can be shown historically that it never works.
You replace crossings with bridges or tunnels and the opportunity to drive onto the track is removed.
That is a correct and permanent solution; providing of course they have adequate barriers.
Better to educate the offending drivers..or pull their arms and legs off when caught.
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