16 May 2009: Queensland: Level crossing safety actions and enforcement needed ..

[ozbob]

Media Release 16 May 2009

Queensland:  Level crossing safety actions and enforcement needed today

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 said that the continuing pandering to road users concerning level crossings has now reached crisis point.  Road vehicle drivers are still regularly breaking road rules at level crossings. They don't care!

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Train crew, train passengers and road vehicle drivers and their passengers need immediate protection."

"The latest report of a school bus failing to stop as directed at a rail crossing (1) just further highlights inaction on recommendations that arose out of the investigation in 2008 of a fatal school bus level crossing collision between Dalby and Chinchilla on the 5th June 2008 (2)."

Listed immediately below are a number of recent statements from RAIL Back On Track concerning level crossing safety and enforcement:

9 May 2009: Queensland: It is time - call for automatic licence suspension ...
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2246.0

16 Apr 2009: Queensland: Time for level crossing action
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2140.0

1 Jan 2009: Queensland: Passengers want action concerning railway crossing ...
http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1718.0

"Enough is enough.  Will it take another level crossing disaster before the authorities act?"

References:

1.  http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/15/2572088.htm
2.  http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/16/2393501.htm?site=southqld

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Sunday Mail 17th May 2009 page 34

Train crossing warning

Train crossing warning

A wrecked car will be installed at Brisbane's Central Station this week as part of a government campagin to shock drivers into stopping at railway level crossings.

A large screen wil also display train driver Mick Thornes talking about the fatal accidents and near-misses he has seen when vehciles ran red-ligts.

"I've seen too many people go home to broken families because they couldn't wait," Mr Thornes says.

[ozbob]

A couple of photographs of the level crossing safety awareness display at Central this week.





Photographs R Dow 20th May 2009

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Boomgate crash delays thousands of commuters

Boomgate crash delays thousands of commuters
Article from: AAP

May 21, 2009 11:09am

CARELESS motorists have been blasted after a single driver caused delays for thousands of commuters after crashing into boomgates north of Brisbane.

Queensland Rail said the motorist had added more woe to Brisbane's already troubled transport network after hitting boomgates at the Todds Rd level crossing at Lawnton about 7.10am (AEST) today.

The crash held up traffic and train services, already thrown into chaos by one of the worst floods to hit southeast Queensland in over 30 years.

QR general manager Robert Moffat said careless drivers were putting lives at risk by ignoring safety warnings.

"The impatience of some motorists is mind-boggling," Mr Moffat said.

"People just don't seem to get it."

Drivers have been told to exercise extreme caution on roads and to cancel non-essential travel where possible.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Careless motorists causing trouble: QR

Careless motorists causing trouble: QR
Dan Hurst
May 21, 2009 - 10:51AM

Queensland Rail has slammed the actions of a driver who crashed into boomgates at a northside level crossing this morning, saying the the impatience of some motorists was mind-boggling.

Thousands of commuters suffered delays on the Caboolture and Nambour railway lines for up to half an hour following the crash at Lawnton.

The incident occurred at the Todds Road level crossing about 7.10am.

QR manager Robert Moffat said the boomgate crash caused no injuries but put thousands of lives at risk and created further delays on a railway corridor that was already under pressure following the wild weather.

Mr Moffat said such incidents were occurring at South-East Queensland boomgate level crossings at a rate of three a week.

"The impatience of some motorists is mind-boggling," he said in a statement.

"Despite our education campaigns and widespread publicity about recent fatalities in level crossing incidents, people just don't seem to get it.

"This morning's incident could have resulted in a far worse outcome for the motorist, for our train drivers and for our passengers."

Mr Moffat urged motorists to show common sense and courtesy at level crossings.

"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," he said.

QR has recorded almost 700 incidents in South-East Queensland at boomgate level crossings in the past five years.

The latest warning about level crossing safety comes six months after two train drivers died when their tilt train collided with a truck at a level crossing in Rungoo, near Cardwell in North Queensland.

[ozbob]

http://www.railsmart.com.au/RailwayCrossings.html

Railway Crossings

Accidents at railway crossings remind us of the importance of safety where a rail network and roads meet. No matter how many times you drive across a railway crossing, always be aware, stay alert and follow the signs and signals.

To protect the safety of you, your family and others at railway crossings:

1    Pay attention to signs and signals
2    Never enter a railway crossing if the red lights are flashing or the boom gates are down
3    Never queue across train tracks
4    Always look out for the second train
5    Remember that some railway crossings don?t have lights or boom gates. At these crossings, always follow the traffic signs and signals before driving on.

Rail safety is broader than QR - it includes communities, motorists, road and transport authorities, and the heavy vehicle industry. Together we can make a difference.