Level Crossings

[GlennMitchell]

Network Rail has called for heavier punishments for people that break the law on level crossings.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7878109.stm

Do you agree with this?? I do. I know that they are dangerous but any risks are significantly lowered if people pay attention to the lights, sirens and any other signs that might surround them. When it is a genuine accident I agree with many people that they are very dangerous, but I have little sympathy for people that bring on accidents themselves, such as the man who lost his shoe on the level crossing in one of the clips that was with the above article.

Glenn

[Easilyconfused]

This subject will potentially get heated and if so the moderators will take firm and decisive action - so be warned !

My own personal thoughts are :

There should be higher penalties for misusing level crossings. The highway code is quite clear on the use of them. Anyone misusing them should be charged at minimum of dangerous or reckless driving (whichever carries the highest penalty).

Bob Crow is sadly living in a utopia we can not afford. In Egham I cross the Pooley Green level crossing at least twice a day. That is too close to the M25 to have either an overbridge or underpass without mammoth works to the M25 bridge also. Fantastically expensive. So do we close the road or railway ? The road closure would be unpopular with the locals since they have limited places to get under the M25 from one side of the town to the other. The railway is the mainline into Waterloo ................ Dorset Coast V5 country

The police had sufficient powers to deal with car drivers using mobile phones (driving without due care etc.) but the government saw fit to pass a specific law forbidding the use of hand held mobiles so maybe they should pass a law called "wilful misuse of level crossing" since that might get people's attention.

[mendes]

I saw the clips on the news. It's not the level crossings that are dangerous but the stupid drivers and pedestrians.

I've got a level crossing not far from me and there are regularily motorists and pedestrians jumping the lights. Why don't they just put CCTV cameras on all level crossings so they can identify and prosecute the offenders?

[geezertronic]

Why don't they just put CCTV cameras on all level crossings so they can identify and prosecute the offenders?

That is a very good idea, why not? They have traffic cameras for people who run red traffic lights and they have pointless speed cameras dotted around the UK that are no more than cash cows. so why don't they imeplement a similar system? Ok they won't get the pedestrian's number plate but they would catch drivers ducking and weaving the barriers.

[GlennMitchell]

Why don't they just put CCTV cameras on all level crossings so they can identify and prosecute the offenders?

I think that most level crossings already do have them so that the signaller can warn drivers if there is a problem.

Glenn

[danielw2599]

Alot of full barrier crossings (particularly those that have a proven history of abuse) are fitted with cameras to aid identification and prosecution. In anycase, in my opinion (both personal and professional) as long as they are used in the correct manner with a bit of common sense, they are 100% safe to use and safer then crossing the road. AHBs are also safe IF used correctly, allthough you do get genuine accidents from time to time...such as the one near Spalding a few weeks ago.

[danielw2599]

Why don't they just put CCTV cameras on all level crossings so they can identify and prosecute the offenders?

I think that most level crossings already do have them so that the signaller can warn drivers if there is a problem.

Glenn

They are just bog standard CCTV cameras so the signaller can see the crossing is clear before he clears his signal(s) and are only fitted to remote controlled crossings. Generally unreliable for prosecution purposes due to angle and picture quality etc etc.

[220389]

Just wondering is it better to be 2 minutes late in this world then 2 minutes early in the next?

They should have tougher sentences on the idiots who think it's a good idea to race a train across a crossing. Like that one who only lost his shoe is incredibly lucky not to get seriously injured.

Many of these people should know better and be aware of what can happen on Level Crossings and sort of accidents that are possible to happen.

Hope tougher sentences are followed for these fools.


Chris

[overmarze]

At the end of that video that was a class 357?
Edit yes it is a class 357 See that evan do it with decent barriors

I think everyone that dose it thats cought on camera should get a 2 year prison centence.

[arabiandisco]

I'd think that misuse of a level crossing whilst driving should be treated the same as drinking & driving. It's one of the single most mind-numbingly stupid things that you can do in a car.

The thing I'm not so sure of is how to deal with pedestrians who misuse crossings, if you can identify them. Show them what that 31 did to the espace on top gear, and ask how they expected to survive such an impact...

It would be nice to convert every crossing to a bridge, but that's just not feasible.

[ianmacmillan]

Railway accidents at level crossings are extremely rare. Last one was two years ago.

Most accidents are road accidents and the highways agency should be held responsible for ensuring their safety and policing.
There should be cameras to detect those jumping the lights and replacement bridges should be paid for out of the road budget.

As usual our judges are to blame for being too lenient when someone is eventually caught.

[gswindale]

To be honest, I don't know what the solution is.

I travel through Wokingham each day on the train. The station is right next to a level crossing for the main road into the town centre. There is a T junction immediately on one side of it and a mini-roundabout on the other.

Clearly you can't close the railway as it's the line from Reading - Guildford/Waterloo, but it's also the main road into town and completely impractical to have anything other than a level crossing there.

Idiots jumping the barriers/gates should be heavily punished - driving licence revoked along with a jail sentence perhaps?

[GlennMitchell]

I'd think that misuse of a level crossing whilst driving should be treated the same as drinking & driving. It's one of the single most mind-numbingly stupid things that you can do in a car.

The thing I'm not so sure of is how to deal with pedestrians who misuse crossings, if you can identify them. Show them what that 31 did to the espace on top gear, and ask how they expected to survive such an impact...

It would be nice to convert every crossing to a bridge, but that's just not feasible.

Totally agree with this. If you drive a car around under the influence, you are more likely to have an accident. If you drive around or under the barriers at a level crossing you are more likely to have an accident. It's the same scenario.

Glenn

[oldrocker]

They are just bog standard CCTV cameras so the signaller can see the crossing is clear before he clears his signal(s) and are only fitted to remote controlled crossings. Generally unreliable for prosecution purposes due to angle and picture quality etc etc.

From things I've been involved with at work, I know that there are cameras on motorways that can ping an offender's numberplate as he drives along.

If they can do that why can't they recognise and report barrier dodgers?

[GlennMitchell]

From things I've been involved with at work, I know that there are cameras on motorways that can ping an offender's numberplate as he drives along.

If they can do that why can't they recognise and report barrier dodgers?

I've seen those ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras in many programmes on TV. They are great. They could just sit one of the vans next to each level crossing

Glenn