Network rail fined level crossing crash
Network rail fined level crossing crash
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saaby93

Original Poster:

32,038 posts

207 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
Its not clear what happened - was it an unsigned open crossing?
http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/news/regional-ne...
It says they've closed 700 crossings in the last 4 years.
Are those mainly private roads or is it a loss of access to all of us?

MOTORVATOR

7,602 posts

276 months

anonymous-user

83 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
Suffolk Free Press said:
The train was travelling at 55mph when it struck the car, causing it to spin and throw the passenger, a 10-year-old boy, through a window
I trust the driver will also be fined for not carrying the ten year old in a kid's seat and/or with a seat belt on?
rolleyes

Rick101

7,186 posts

179 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
Working for NR I see these issues everyday.

We're certainly not blameless but the amount of time and money covering other peoples stupidity is staggering.

Simpo Two

92,670 posts

294 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
I believe it is caused either by the removal of barriers, or by not having barriers in the first place. The only reason can be on grounds of cost-saving.

Hence for the motorist there is no visual barrier across the road, merely a light up high to the side. Motorist doesn't see light (or assumes that because there is no barrier across the road they have time to cross) and whammo, accident.

It's so bloody obvious.

That £500,000 fine could have paid for some barriers...

Chrisgr31

14,275 posts

284 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
I believe it is caused either by the removal of barriers, or by not having barriers in the first place. The only reason can be on grounds of cost-saving.

Hence for the motorist there is no visual barrier across the road, merely a light up high to the side. Motorist doesn't see light (or assumes that because there is no barrier across the road they have time to cross) and whammo, accident.

It's so bloody obvious.

That £500,000 fine could have paid for some barriers...
I'd be surprised if motorists don't see the lights. They presumably see them but just think they will get across before the train arrives. So its sheer stupidity by the car driver that causes the problem.

tight5

2,747 posts

188 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
I believe it is caused either by the removal of barriers, or by not having barriers in the first place. The only reason can be on grounds of cost-saving.

Hence for the motorist there is no visual barrier across the road, merely a light up high to the side. Motorist doesn't see light (or assumes that because there is no barrier across the road they have time to cross) and whammo, accident.
then that money is passed onto the fare paying public and more people complaining !

there is no barriers because that crossing will not be used much .
the more usage a crossing gets , the higher spec. the crossing gets ( open/half/full barriers )

if a driver can't see flashing red lights , he/she has no business driving !

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

193 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
Was it a user worked crossing? People never shut the gates and its always the railways fault.

mrmaggit

10,146 posts

277 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
There is a train (no pub intended) of thought that some people do not treat the red flashing lights as stop indicators, and that they would work better if replaced by standard traffic lights.

saaby93

Original Poster:

32,038 posts

207 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
There's two issues going on. My opening link where it's not clear there were any gates barriers lights and the second posters link where there were lights but not much else
Anyone know anymore about the opening link?

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

193 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
mrmaggit said:
There is a train (no pub intended) of thought that some people do not treat the red flashing lights as stop indicators, and that they would work better if replaced by standard traffic lights.
Problem is that some vehicles have authority to go through standard traffic lights at red.

Wig wags they cannot.

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

193 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
saaby93 said:
There's two issues going on. My opening link where it's not clear there were any gates barriers lights and the second posters link where there were lights but not much else
Anyone know anymore about the opening link?
Ill gave a read up later and post back.

Simpo Two

92,670 posts

294 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
tight5 said:
then that money is passed onto the fare paying public and more people complaining !

there is no barriers because that crossing will not be used much .
the more usage a crossing gets , the higher spec. the crossing gets ( open/half/full barriers )

if a driver can't see flashing red lights , he/she has no business driving !
Indeed, but accidents are caused by humans not being perfect. A physical barrier across the road is still easier to see and can't be gambled with by the foolhardy. But what you're really saying is 'that crossing doesn't have gates because it's not worth it'; therefore it's a calculated risk by the rail company. Ultimately life DOES have a price beyond which it's not worth paying. And therefore, when somebody DOES get the chop, there's no point getting upset about it - because it was all worked out by statisticians and accountants to happen.

tight5

2,747 posts

188 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Ultimately life DOES have a price beyond which it's not worth paying. And therefore, when somebody DOES get the chop, there's no point getting upset about it - because it was all worked out by statisticians and accountants to happen.
ah , quite right !

in future all car journeys must be taken while wearing a five point harness , flame resistant suit and crash helmet .
no crossing roads , drinking coffee or alcohol , flying , sun bathing , using mobile phones or anything else with any risk !

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

193 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
Amen.

We can't protect people from themselves.

You would not believe how many safety systems are built in to a level crossing.

Why they don't have the balls to say the driver was a fking idiot I don't know.

Simpo Two

92,670 posts

294 months

Saturday 29th June 2013
quotequote all
MajorProblem said:
You would not believe how many safety systems are built in to a level crossing
Everything except a nice big chunk of dayglo-painted metal that goes up and down across the road it would seem. If a driver hits that, then yes, file him under fking idiot and move on!

Rick101

7,186 posts

179 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
Maybe they should have barriers at traffic lights toorolleyes


Stoopid is as stoopid does

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/5269.aspx

Edited by Rick101 on Sunday 30th June 07:50

saaby93

Original Poster:

32,038 posts

207 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
Rick101 said:
Maybe they should have barriers at traffic lights toorolleyes
Stoopid is as stoopid does
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/5269.aspx
That's just normal behaviour - human endeavour.
No harm came to anyone smile

Vince70

1,944 posts

223 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
I've noticed around my way that 3 full barrier level crossings have been replaced by half barriers,
What I can't work out is why are network rail taking out the old perfectly good full barriers and replacing them with half barriers for no reason.
And obviously paying to do it.

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

193 months

Sunday 30th June 2013
quotequote all
When you say full barrier do you mean booms or wooden gates?

What are the crossings? I'll take a look.