Level Crossing Misuse

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

I know we have had a few of these videos before but as an S&T^▸ (Signalling and Telegraph) Engineer this one really makes me shudder.  Just watch the two buses at about 3 minutes in 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfnPb80v6PM

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for posting that link, SandTEngineer - shocking behaviour indeed at Crawley level crossings. 

As an aside, there was another example of some rather ill-advised behaviour at a level crossing in Crawley, discussed at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=7461.0 

[John R]

It makes me wonder why fixed high definition cameras cannot be used to consistently catch offenders. OK, there would be some cost in administration, but over a period of years people would come to realise that they cannot get away with it and that must surely enhance the safety of the railway, even if it costs a few million to achieve.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Agreed, John: automatic number plate recognition ought to reduce those administration costs, too. The fixed penalty notice could be in the post to the registered keeper of the vehicle before the driver has even finished their journey.

[EBrown]

I did like the man at 4:10 who runs straight across the crossing and into the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) Officer's trap.

Then the group of three who run into the same trap.

Unbelievable that a lorry driver goes past a marked police/network rail van and still goes over the crossing! Some people! :O

[stebbo]

Nothing surprises me about this. See the postings about the Yarnton level crossing incident in the Trains to Oxford section.

[Electric train]

Network Rail have produced comprehensive resources website http://www.networkrail.co.uk/safety-education/secondary-school-resources/ for use at Secondary Schools.

If any of you have children, grand children, nephews, nieces, etc at Secondary School it may be worth finding out if their School is using this material, if not may be the school should be question why they are not 

[swrural]

Did you not think that much of the problem caused was with the flashing red lights being turned on well before the barrier was lowered.  It gave the impression (I know there is no legal excuse) that it was a warning system and not a mandatory stop signal.  To my mind, for safety, it would be better to use ordinary traffic lights positioned a little further away from the barriers.  Motorists are used to obeying traffic signals (which is what they are) and so are pedestrians.  We already have a system of cameras available that can be mounted on top of traffic lights, so that is an additional warning safeguard. 

It is no good saying people should be better educated or not be stupid because they are not and are respectively.  The purpose of safety systems is not to catch out people for being reckless or stupid ( synonyms?) but to prevent collisions.

[ChrisB]

Flashing yellows to start, turning to steady red just before barriers are lowered would be my suggestion....

[Network SouthEast]

Flashing Red lights are an absolute stop in law. Whereas steady Red lights just mean stop.

What's the difference you may ask?

Well an absolute stop means you must absolutely stop. For example, emergency services can treat a stop red light as a give-way sign when responding to an emergency call, but they must stop at an absolute stop red light. Yes - that means that even the police/fire/ambulance have no legal defence for jumping the red lights at level crossings (or other places they exist, such as lifting bridges).

Don't forget that legally you are supposed to stop at a yellow light (unless not safe to do so) so how anyone can think it is acceptable to skip a flashing red light at a level crossing is beyond me.

[ChrisB]

I'm not sure that the theory driving test covers flashing red lights, does it? I mean testing knowledge of the difference?

[Network SouthEast]

The theory test could contain just 50 of over 900 questions!

I don't know what each of the 900+ questions are BUT level crossings are covered clearly within the Highway Code, along with a picture of one.

Here is what the Highway Code actually says...

Level crossings (291 to 299)
291
A level crossing is where a road crosses a railway or tramway line. Approach and cross it with care. Never drive onto a crossing until the road is clear on the other side and do not get too close to the car in front. Never stop or park on, or near, a crossing.

Overhead electric lines
292
It is dangerous to touch overhead electric lines. You MUST obey the safe height warning road signs and you should not continue forward onto the railway if your vehicle touches any height barrier or bells. The clearance available is usually 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches) but may be lower.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36, TSRGD 2002 reg 17(5)

293
Controlled Crossings. Most crossings have traffic light signals with a steady amber light, twin flashing red stop lights (download ^Light signals controlling traffic^ (PDF, 82KB) and ^Traffic signs^ (PDF, 486KB)) and an audible alarm for pedestrians. They may have full, half or no barriers.

You MUST always obey the flashing red stop lights.
You MUST stop behind the white line across the road.
Keep going if you have already crossed the white line when the amber light comes on.
Do not reverse onto or over a controlled crossing.
You MUST wait if a train goes by and the red lights continue to flash. This means another train will be passing soon.
Only cross when the lights go off and barriers open.
Never zig-zag around half-barriers, they lower automatically because a train is approaching.
At crossings where there are no barriers, a train is approaching when the lights show.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 40



294
Railway telephones. If you are driving a large or slow- moving vehicle, a long, low vehicle with a risk of grounding, or herding animals, a train could arrive before you are clear of the crossing. You MUST obey any sign instructing you to use the railway telephone to obtain permission to cross. You MUST also telephone when clear of the crossing if requested to do so.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 16(1)

295
Crossings without traffic lights. Vehicles should stop and wait at the barrier or gate when it begins to close and not cross until the barrier or gate opens.

296
User-operated gates or barriers. Some crossings have ^Stop^ signs and small red and green lights. You MUST NOT cross when the red light is showing, only cross if the green light is on. If crossing with a vehicle, you should

open the gates or barriers on both sides of the crossing
check that the green light is still on and cross quickly
close the gates or barriers when you are clear of the crossing.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 52(2)

297
If there are no lights, follow the procedure in Rule 295. Stop, look both ways and listen before you cross. If there is a railway telephone, always use it to contact the signal operator to make sure it is safe to cross. Inform the signal operator again when you are clear of the crossing.

298
Open crossings. These have no gates, barriers, attendant or traffic lights but will have a ^Give Way^ sign. You should look both ways, listen and make sure there is no train coming before you cross.

299
Incidents and breakdowns. If your vehicle breaks down, or if you have an incident on a crossing you should

get everyone out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing immediately
use a railway telephone if available to tell the signal operator. Follow the instructions you are given
move the vehicle clear of the crossing if there is time before a train arrives. If the alarm sounds, or the amber light comes on, leave the vehicle and get clear of the crossing immediately.

[ChrisB]

Indeed, but a lot of the Highway Code isn't enscrined in law (although 293 does seem to quote relevant sections)

[Network SouthEast]

My point really is that it is in black and white that you must stop at flashing red lights. I've provided evidence to back that up.

There is no excuse not to stop for them.

[JayMac]

And anything in the highway code that features the words MUST/MUST NOT in caps and bold is a legal requirement.

Even where the text uses the terms 'should/should not' or 'do/do not', whilst the particular action or omission may not be criminal offence in itself, failing to comply with it may result in court proceedings under the various Traffic Acts to establish liability.

The Highway Code and all it contains should be obeyed. You can't pick and chose what you want to follow just because some parts of it are advisory. Ignoring those advisory parts could lead to prosecutions for driving without due care and attention, careless/inconsiderate or dangerous driving.