30 May 2009: Queensland: Level crossings - clarification

[ozbob]

Media Release 30 May 2009

Queensland:  Level crossings - clarification

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has constantly called for Governments to actually bite the bullet and take real decisive action to sort out the appalling attitudes of all road users ; drivers, pedestrians and bicycle riders,  with regard to rail crossing safety.  Blatant disregard of directions to stop has caused death, injury and significant costs to the community.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Following the distribution of a media release concerning level crossing safety yesterday morning, there was yet another incident of boom gates being struck in Brisbane (1).  There was some confusion in the interpretation of that release.  We have never suggested that 'stop signs be placed at crossings with boom gates'."

"We have consistently suggested there needs to be comprehensive approach to this issue."

"This includes:

a.  Increased penalties for breaches. The present $300 fine and the loss of a few demerit points is a joke.

b.  Increased enforcement: Active patrolling and red light cameras at crossings.

c.  Continue the education of all road users, including pedestrians and bicycle riders.

d.  Continued improvements at and on approaches to level crossings including standard traffic lights.

e.  Heavy vehicles be required to STOP at unprotected crossings and proceed when safe to do so."

"An unprotected crossing is one without booms or gates. What we said was that heavy vehicles be required to stop at unprotected crossings. This happens in many other jurisdictions already. This follows from reports of drivers of trucks to fail to hear the warning bells and not see the flashing lights at crossings because of glare. Clearly in the absence of gates/booms it is not a safe situation."

"Following the fatal school bus incident in Dalby last year there was a recommendation made for all school buses to stop at unprotected crossings. This has still not been acted upon. Experts made those recommendations."

"The only fail safe solution in the end is road rail separation. This won't be achieved so again we call on decisive Government action today!"

Reference:

1.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2327.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Thanks for these comments Noel.

--------------------------------

Robert,

I don't think that people are
1 - Aware of the requirements at the different level crossings
2 - Realise the risk they take by not following proper procedures

At a level crossing where there are flashing lights and the lights are flashing this is the equivalent of a stop light at an intersection and traffic is required to STOP.  Nothing less is good enough.

At a level crossing where there is a STOP sign, they are required to stop check for any rail traffic and if there is any, they have to give way.

At any other crossings, there will be signage and they should act accordingly.  The least restrictive is a Beware of Trains or Look out for Trains and these should always be considered as "Give Way"

At level crossings with boom gates, there is NO excuse for a collision with the gates as the lights will have been flashing for at least 12 seconds before the booms are lowered.  Any person who collides with boom gates should be suspended as they have deliberately disobeyed a traffic signal. NO EXCUSE.

Noel Haynes   

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Motorist to sue over train crossing crash

Motorist to sue over train crossing crash
June 15, 2009 - 11:08AM

A Gold Coast driver who thought she was going to die after being rammed into the path of an oncoming train has launched legal action against another motorist.

Lawyers for the 45-year-old Gold Coast woman claim she was hit from behind by an uninsured driver at a level crossing on Beenleigh Road at Kuraby, in Brisbane's south, on May 19.

The woman's lawyer, Kylie Hughes, from personal injury law firm Trilby Misso, alleges her client was stopped at the crossing when another vehicle slammed into her from behind, pushing her onto the railway track.

"A train was coming and she thought she was going to die," Ms Hughes said.

"She managed to reverse off the tracks in time and then the boom gate crashed down on her car."

The woman suffered whiplash injuries to her neck and back while her Holden Commodore was written off.

Ms Hughes said that despite Brisbane City Council and Queensland government promises to improve rail crossing safety, there continued to be major incidents at level crossings across the state.

She said the incident highlighted the need to impose harsher penalties on people ignoring train crossing warnings.

Trilby Misso has filed a notice of claim against the other driver on behalf of their client.