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Drivers trying to beat trains at crossings
Dick Murray9 Feb 2009
Three motorists a week risk causing a serious crash by racing to beat the train at level crossings, Network Rail revealed today.
On average, five pedestrians also risk their lives each week by ignoring safety signs when crossing tracks.
Rail bosses are now demanding the courts impose tougher sentences on those flouting the law.
The consequences of a train hitting a car at a level crossing were illustrated when a 100mph express derailed at Ufton Nervet in Berkshire killing six people five years ago.
Chef Brian Drysdale, 48, is believed to have committed suicide by parking his Mazda on the level crossing. The car was hit by the Paddington-to-Plymouth express. Since then, despite warnings, the number of incidents of car drivers and pedestrians trying to “beat” the train has steadily increased.
The number of people misusing one of Britain's 7,600 level crossings rose to 3,479 last year. From that number Network Rail said there were 20 collisions between trains and road vehicles, and in each case it was the car or lorry driver to blame.
Network Rail's chief executive Iain Coucher said: “This behaviour has the potential for massive damage, disruption and death.”
He said sentences handed down by the courts must be tougher.
Reader views (13)
If people are in such a rush, then so be it,let them suffer the consequences of there actions,you cant legislate against stupidity,nor should we try.
- Kev, London-UK, 09/02/2009 16:42
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"How about improving our trains / stations / crossings by making them proper crossings that *can't* be misused? Let's put those huge profits to good use.
- Jt, Farnborough, Hants, UK"
Yes, that's right, make the vast majoprity pay for the stupidity of a minority, whom frankly, the world can do without...The profits will still exist Jt, the cost will need to be bourne elsewhere.
Did you see the crossing in the video? It couldn't be clearer to a right thinking person, could it? Gates closed, presumably lights flashing with a rather loud warning klaxon...and still a pair of morons decide to ignore all the warnings. There's nothing you can do to stop this kind of moronic behaviour, short of erecting a 30 ft high fence all along the railway...and even then some idiot will find a way through.
- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Camden County, 09/02/2009 15:46
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What is the matter with these people. It isn't as though the trains are very long or move very slowly. In Texas the trains are routinely a mile long and in towns are speed restricted so I suppose there is some reason for trying to beat them although there are penalties for trying to do so. I feel sorry for the train drivers who are confronted by these idiots.
- Alan Preen, McLean, Texas, USA., 09/02/2009 15:41
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Frankly if it wasn't for the trauma and reckless endangerment to the driver and passengers of the train I'd simply say it was Darwinism.
- Bob, Cheam, 09/02/2009 15:03
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I personally don't think the rail companies should have to improve barriers or change the time they stay down. They should be using their profits to continually improve the rails and quality of trains. If you're stupid enough to "run" the barriers then you deserve everything you get. Obviously these idiots have never heard the phrase "better late than never". I'd rather turn up to work 5 minutes late than not at all. And if it's a daily thing then just leave 5-10 minutes earlier. Simple really. Unfortunately it seems that people now are beyond simple and need some re-education.
- Andy M, Bedford, UK, 09/02/2009 14:39
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Watching some of the video footage, I am appalled at the sheer stupidity of some drivers and pedestrians who are prepared to risk all to save a few minutes. If caught, they should be banned for life.
My observation on this is, are we as a nation passing on the stupid gene far quicker than we imagined
- N Zymes, Liverpool (UK), 09/02/2009 12:02
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How about improving our trains / stations / crossings by making them proper crossings that *can't* be misused? Let's put those huge profits to good use.
- Jt, Farnborough, Hants, UK, 09/02/2009 11:42
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Emily - Network Rail do not set the timings for barrier operations. These are reviewed and enforced by Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI), part of the government's Health and Safety Executive.
- Chris, Liverpool, UK, 09/02/2009 11:34
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Emily (above)is quite right. Certainly in this part of Sussex,sometimes levele crossings remain closed for an interminable length of time,creating unnecessary delays for roadusers. In particular they can play havoc with bus timetables. The arrogance of the railway companies is an unbelievable disgrace.
- Cwh, Hove, Sussex, 09/02/2009 11:32
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I totally agree with higher fines and sentences but I also think all railway barriers should be full ones, then there would be no opportunity for drivers and pedestrians to go across the lines when the train is approaching.
- Nadia, barnsley, 09/02/2009 11:16
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The problem is if these people aren't afraid of death by train it's difficult to see how tougher penalties will frighten them. Maybe we need traffic signal cameras with an auto penalty of seizing the vehicle for offenders.
- Phil Kibler, Norwich, UK, 09/02/2009 11:15
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People who try to beat the lights are idiots who put passengers and drivers at risk of losing their lives - and cause immense trauma even when drivers aren't killed.
Do these witless individuals not realise that trains can't stop quickly? I think there needs to be a public information campaign showing how long it takes a train to stop. Perhaps they can use the footage from a Top Gear programme some time ago that showed just how much damage was done to a van left on the tracks.
- Kaye, St Albans UK, 09/02/2009 11:09
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It would be good if Network Rail would meet us halfway on this, by reviewing the excessively long times that level crossings remain closed for, for example between 2 or 3 different trains. These timings may have been relevant in the 1950s but times have changed and roads are more congested.
- Emily, Worthing, UK, 09/02/2009 10:38
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