Article: Boom gate crashers cost $4 million

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Boom gate crashers cost $4 million

Boom gate crashers cost $4 million
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Ursula Heger

May 09, 2009 12:00am

MOTORISTS have crashed through more than 800 level crossing boom gates in the past five years, costing taxpayers more than $4 million.

Another two level crossing in Queensland were destroyed yesterday, as motorists ignored State Government warnings about attempting to outrun trains.

In Brisbane, a truck collided with lowering boom gates in Bald Hills just before morning-peak hour, while a level crossing near Rockhampton was also damaged.

The Bald Hills accident just before 7.20am caused lengthy delays in both directions on Telegraph Rd, while morning commuters on the Caboolture train line faced half-hour delays.

Figures released to The Courier-Mail show motorists are increasingly running the gauntlet at level crossings. There were 53 collisions with boom gates during the first three months of this year ? a rate of four a week.

Repairing boom gates at level crossings cost Queensland Rail more than $1 million last year, with an average price tag of $5000 for every gate. Boom gate and signals accidents jumped to 25 in April this year, up from 20 in March and 14 in February.

That was despite a $1 million advertising campaign warning motorists of the danger of attempting to beat oncoming trains.

The campaign, which was launched in February, included both television and radio advertising.

Last year, 210 collisions with boom gates and signals were recorded across the state, up from 128 in 2007.

QR chief executive officer Lance Hockridge said they would "ramp up" their education campaign in a bid to reduce the accident rate.

"These disturbing figures show boom gates are not the silver bullet to rail and road safety," Mr Hockridge said.

"Even where we have them, hundreds of Queensland motorists are risking their lives by breaking through them.

"Its simply unbelievable that some motorists still don't get it, even after a number of deaths and countless campaigns.

"Most drivers do the right thing, but those who flout the road rules put the lives of others at risk, including other motorists, train and car passengers as well as QR's train staff."

Earlier this year, the Federal Government allocated $42 million to upgrade 66 railway crossings across the state.

QR has also promised $10 million in funding to upgrade eight priority level crossings in the state's north.

Comment:

The flippant disregard of road rules by road vehicle drivers at level crossings is very concerning. The present penalties are nothing short of a joke; $300 fine and the loss of 3 demerit points .   This needs to be changed to automatic license suspension for failing to stop as directed at level crossings.  Nothing less is going to force drivers to stop.  Also make them pay for the damage and mayhem they cause.

[ozbob]

Media Release 9 May 2009

Queensland:  It is time - call for automatic licence suspension for level crossing breaches.

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 previously called for more passenger and freight rail services to help stop the slaughter on Australia's roads.  Strict enforcement of road safety rules at level crossings and increased penalties for breaches are also needed.   Queensland motorists are incapable of following simple directions to stop at level crossings.  Time to get serious, the costs in terms of loss of life, injury and economic costs and disruptions are no longer acceptable.  Does anyone have the courage to act?

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In Australia during 2007 there were 1616 road fatalities compared to 37 rail related (1)."

"Over the Labor day weekend more slaughter and mayhem has occurred on Queensland's roads and it continues sadly.  Clearly there is a failure of road safety of major proportions.  The costs to the community in terms of deaths and injuries are enormous.  Present policies are clearly failing."

"RAIL Back On Track is particularly concerned with the flippant disregard of road rules by road vehicle drivers at level crossings."

"The Courier Mail has reported that 'Figures released to The Courier-Mail show motorists are increasingly running the gauntlet at level crossings. There were 53 collisions with boom gates during the first three months of this year - a rate of four a week'(2)."

"The present penalties are nothing short of a joke; $300 fine and the loss of 3 demerit points (3).   This needs to be changed to automatic license suspension for failing to stop as directed at level crossings.  Nothing less is going to force drivers to stop."

"Additionally there should be cost recovery from offenders."

"As a community we must encourage the expansion of rail passenger and freight services.  We are clearly not able to stop the carnage on the roads.  We must therefore return to safe transport modes."

References:

1.  http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/39/Files/ATS_2008.pdf page 22
2.  http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25449277-3102,00.html
3.  http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resources/file/eb2774458c0db56/Pdf_demerit_point_schedule_january_2009.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ButFli]

Find out who the crashers are and make their third-party-property insurance pay. If they don't have insurance then sue them for all they are worth.

[haakon]

Red light cameras for train crossings I think would be a good deterrent and it would raise some revenue from the very people destroying the booms to cover the costs of replacing them.

[Derwan]

I've said this before... level crossings need green/orange/red traffic lights - not stupid flashing lights.  Why?  Because people are more likely to obey normal traffic lights and they make it clear when crossing the line is an offence.  Couple them with red-light cameras as haakon suggested.

[Dean Quick]

Normal type traffic lights wouldn't work as just as many people if not more run them as well. As we all know the trauma and devastation on peoples lives involved in these type of incidents is immeasurable not to mention the damage bill. I firmly believe the currant penalty is just pathetically inadequate and is obviously not a deterant. A massive increase in the fine coupled with loss of licence and/or mandatory gaol terms would make a lot of motorists/truck drivers think twice.   

[Derwan]

Normal type traffic lights wouldn't work as just as many people if not more run them as well.

I dare say that more people would choose to go through flashing lights before the boom gates lower - than deliberately go through red lights at intersections.  (That's just my opinion.)

Either way, standard traffic lights clearly (and therefore legally) define when an offence has occurred.  Flashing lights are effectively an amber traffic light - "stop if you can safely do so".  The trigger for red light cameras are when the vehicle travels over the stop line while the traffic signal is red.  There would be no clear timing for this with flashing lights - and it would be a legal nightmare.

[O_128]

Why dont we just put traffic lights in these intersections as well as red light cameras?

[Fridge]

I saw QR's display at Central today, it was very effective and there were at least 12 people standing and watching the video as I walked past.  I figure (the cynic in me speaking) that the people who really need to see this don't catch the train or use public transport at all.



http://www.corporate.qr.com.au/Corporate/News_Room/Current/Press_releases/801.asp

[ozbob]

http://www.corporate.qr.com.au/Corporate/News_Room/Current/Press_releases/801.asp

Shock is latest tactic in level crossing campaign
17 May 2009

QR is unleashing shock tactics to warn motorists of the risks of ignoring traffic laws at level crossings, placing a wrecked car at Central Station as a graphic reminder of the result of an accident.

As part of the display which will feature at Brisbane?s busiest station for a week starting tomorrow (Monday 18 May), an interview with a train driver who has seen numerous near misses with vehicles will also play on a large screen.

Robert Moffat, General Manager South East Queensland for QR Network, acknowledged the image of a car which has been involved in a collision would shock some passengers.

The crumpled wreck was not involved in a collision with a train because in reality, little would survive the impact with a 100 tonne locomotive.

?The car illustrates what can happen in an accident ? it is shocking but the reality of a collision between a car and a train is even worse,? Mr Moffat said.

?It is shocking, but we make no apologies for showing the very serious results of ignoring the signs, signals and rules surrounding level crossings.

?If a driver ignores the road rules at level crossings there is a high likelihood of an accident; they could very well be seriously injured or even die.

?Most drivers do the right thing, but those who flout the road rules put the lives of others at risk, including other motorists, train and car passengers as well as QR?s train staff.

?Whether it?s carelessness or impatience, all drivers should remember that stopping at a level crossing may take a few minutes, but not stopping could cost them a lot more.?

Driver Mick Thornes said he struggled to understand motorists who took their lives into their hands when trying to beat a train through a crossing.

?When I am driving a train at 60 or 80 kilometres an hour, it can take me hundreds of metres to stop. I can?t swerve, I can?t avoid them, and if we collide the car is going to come off second best,? Mr Thorne said.

?People who see this wreck may think it?s shocking, but I can tell you it is much more shocking to see the faces of passengers in a car and think you are going to hit them and there is nothing you can do.

?I know most car and truck drivers do the right thing, but for those people who want to try their luck, who want to beat the train, I say `look at this, this could be you?.?

Background

Research data

Of the level crossing collisions to occur on QR tracks in the past seven years:

? 98% of collisions were directly attributable to the road user
? 96% of collisions occur at public level crossings
? 50% of collisions on average occur at crossings with boom gates and/or flashing lights.

Education and awareness

QR is ramping up its campaign against risky motoring behaviour with more education and community activities and statewide advertising targeting level crossings.

Education officers have been visiting community groups and transport operators with more information about the dangers of level crossings.

In 2008 QR community education representatives spoke directly to more than 150,000 Queenslanders about rail safety including schools, community groups and events.

Level crossing upgrades

There is unprecedented investment in upgrading level crossings.

In February this year, the Federal Government announced an additional $42 million that will deliver upgrades to 66 railways crossings across Queensland.

This funding is in addition to the long-term $33 million program funded by the Queensland Government to assess and improve level crossings across the state.

Almost $20 million of this sum has been spent to date.

QR also approved funding of $10 million in January this year for the eight priority level crossing upgrades in North Queensland.

[ozbob]

Yes, checked it out this afternoon too Fridge.  Anything is worth trying, but I think it is preaching to the converted to a certain extent.  But worthwhile none the less.



Photograph R Dow 18th May 2009

The display is a wrecked car with audio visual display highlighting the dangers.

[O_128]

at abput 3 20 there was an announcement about it as well the woman described never to cross them she had massive emphasis on never

[mufreight]

As of this weekend the booms have gone from Beaudesert Road at Acacia Ridge so one level crossing less and at Ebbw Vale another level crossing is being eliminated into the new industrial estate replacing boom gates there.