28 Nov 2008: Action needed to protect trains and road vehicles at crossings

[ozbob]

Media Release 28 November 2008

Queensland:  Action needed today to protect trains and road vehicles at level crossings

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 called for the implementation of an immediate requirement for buses and trucks to stop at level crossings; drivers to look, listen and then proceed only if safe to do so.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Promises of road overpasses and boom gates are not going to make safe the dangerous level crossings on our railway network now, today.  As an emergency interim measure we call on the Queensland Government to require all heavy vehicles; buses and trucks, to stop at railway level crossings, and then look and listen for trains approaching from either direction and to cross only when it is clearly safe to do so."

"Other jurisdictions implement these safety procedures as routine (1).  Is it not time that rail crew, passengers and road users are afforded some common sense protection?"

Reference:

1.  http://www.dot.state.wi.us/safety/motorist/railcrossings/rules.htm

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org