Poland - various railway related incidents (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[Bmblbzzz]

I think that's almost certainly the case. Still a bit scary for the driver, I'd imagine; although it sounds as if he handled the situation quite well.

[Bmblbzzz]

A collision between a train and a car driven by a driving test candidate has killed the 18-year-old candidate. The train is damaged but driver and passengers are uninjured, the examiner managed to jump free of the car before the collision. It seems the driver failed to stop as she approached the level crossing, which has signs but no barriers or lights. Either she or the examiner then attempted an emergency stop, the car came to a stop on the tracks with the engine stalled. Several attempts were made to restart the engine, but without success. A passenger train from Nowy Targ to Zakopane then collided with the car, the driver suffered severe injuries and died in hospital. Somehow the examiner managed to jump out of the car.

Video from the car, the train and a nearby industrial area is being examined to try to ascertain why the car did not stop at the Stop sign – according to test regulations, failure to stop is an automatic instant fail and end of the test and if a candidate fails to brake in time, the examiner should – and whether it was the candidate or the examiner who then braked, bringing the vehicle to a stop on the tracks.

[Oxonhutch]

Utterly tragic. Why on Earth examine over such a route and if so, be absolutely proactive to ensure compliance with the road signs/requirements.  Failing to observe a stop sign is a fail. Fail to stop before a level crossing is a death sentence.

The examination system here appears to have lost the plot. This was so foreseeable and totally unnecessary.

As an enquiry: Has anyone here driven over a level crossing on their driving test? If so, was it gated or controlled?

[Bmblbzzz]

I presume there are set routes which are used, but I don't know. Uncontrolled level crossings are more common in Poland than here, so it might make sense to include them on a test. The report I read did imply that the examiner might be held liable for the collision – legally, the examiner is responsible for anything the examinee might do – but it's not yet clear who actually did what. But whoever ends up being held responsible, yes it's a tragedy.

[Bmblbzzz]

What do you do if you come to a level crossing, the barriers are down and the lights are flashing, but you can't actually see the train approaching? You force the barriers open and drive across, of course! And what do you do if something deep inside your brain tells you this might be not the wisest thing to do? You open both barriers first and run across! But then they close anyway, stranding you on the tracks. And if you're so considerate you want everyone to have the same opportunity? You hold the barrier open while four more cars drive over. The link below should take you to a video of this madness.

http://radom.wyborcza.pl/radom/10,88286,23840370,przejazd-kolejowy-w-natolinie.html

The accompanying article says that the video was sent to the Police Team for Combatting Aggressive Behaviour on the Roads, who have identified the owners and drivers of vehicles.

[broadgage]

Makes UK^▸ (United Kingdom) level crossing misuse seem rather tame.

[Bmblbzzz]

It's well into "crossing abuse" rather than simply failing to understand how it works. The comments are all too familiar though; mostly along the lines of "It's the railways fault for closing the barriers too early."

[broadgage]

In view of the prevalence of level crossings in Poland, it seems reasonable to include correct use of such crossings in the driving test.
Whilst the loss of life is unfortunate, the odd accident may be unavoidable if the driving test is to simulate actual driving conditions.

If level crossing use is to be excluded from the test due to the risks, then perhaps the test should also exclude driving in bad weather, another known risk factor.

[Oxonhutch]

I can't agree with you here Broadgage. Bad weather has been used to cancel driving tests here.  I had one cancelled many years back due to snow and ice. The candidate's knowledge of level crossing usage of level crossings could have been tested verbally, as in:- "take me through ...", "what would you do if .. ?"

Anyone here sat a driving test in Lincoln? I believe it has a lot of level crossings.

[LiskeardRich]

I'm taking my bus test in mid Cornwall next week, and there is a level crossing on both registered test routes.

[Oxonhutch]

... there is a level crossing on both registered test routes.

What kind of crossings are they, if I may ask?

[LiskeardRich]

... there is a level crossing on both registered test routes.

What kind of crossings are they, if I may ask?

Honest answer. I don’t know the variations of level crossings. It is the crossing on Newquay branch near to St Columb Road station

[Oxonhutch]

Honest answer. I don’t know the variations of level crossings. It is the crossing on Newquay branch near to St Columb Road station

Thanks for that. At least that one is a half barrier crossing. I wouldn't fancy doing the next one in a double-decker !

[LiskeardRich]

Honest answer. I don’t know the variations of level crossings. It is the crossing on Newquay branch near to St Columb Road station

Thanks for that. At least that one is a half barrier crossing. I wouldn't fancy doing the next one in a double-decker !

all bus services go down Newquay Rd next to the Queen and Railway pub.