'Level crossing deaths on rise', from the BBC (12/10/2009)

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Video news report from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) - including more examples of human stupidity, I have to say :

The number of people killed on level crossings is on the increase, according to the body which runs the rail network.

Network Rail says 12 people have been killed in level crossing accidents this year.

The number has been rising steadily since 2003.

[devon_metro]

Bet that figure correlates with the erosion of common sense!

[Tim]

More likely to collerate with an increase in population, an increase in road traffic and an incease in rail traffic

[tramway]

No, it's the 'Pirate' influence again.

More pirates = more crossing deaths.

Global warming

[Tim]

No, it's the 'Pirate' influence again.

More pirates = more crossing deaths.

Global warming

Ah, I see you too have been touched by his noodlely apendage

[tramway]

Tis all true I tells thee....

[welshman]

Here's the best source of information under cover of a report on the Wrayholme Crossing collision. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks, welshman! 

Just for completeness, the Wraysholme level crossing incident has also been discussed in another topic - see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=5503.0

[Andy]

One death is too many but this type of reporting is irresponsible sensationalism. 12 is so small a number that an accident involving 3 or 4 people is bound to skew the stats.  12 this year means about 1 per month. How many people get killed crossing the road per month?

Where the real issue lies is protecting rail staff and passengers from such accidents.  I feel particularly sorry for the train driver and staff on these trains - it must be harrowing.

  

[Chris from Nailsea]

I do agree, Andy, that the emotional cost, to train drivers in particular, and to other railway staff, BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) and passengers who become involved in such incidents, must be horrendous.

That's why Network Rail are trying to educate people not to 'run the risk': for example, at one level crossing at Wareham, in May, in the space of just 12 days, three people were filmed risking their own lives, and those of others, by 'taking a chance'.  From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Woman risks baby at rail crossing

Network Rail has released footage of pedestrians risking their lives at a level crossing in Dorset, including a mother pushing her baby in a pram. A video shows the woman running across the track with her child moments before a train passed.

The body, which runs the rail network, said the crossing in Wareham was among the worst in the country for people crossing on a red light.

Two other images show people crossing as a train approaches.

The incidents happened at the crossing near Wareham railway station between 1 and 12 May.

Network Rail has released the images as part of its Don't Run the Risk campaign, which aims to improve safety awareness at level crossings.

Iain Coucher, Network Rail chief executive, said: "The rules around level crossings are clear and simple. When the lights flash or the barriers are down, don't cross - a train is approaching."

[tramway]

I have the old TV programme Equinox entitled Living Dangerously on video, can't find it online, would be grateful for help if it's out there.

There is a classic sequence where in North America they cut the trees down around an un gated crossing with 2 trains a day to give drivers a better view of the crossing, all it did was increase car speed, no reduction in overall risk.

[moonrakerz]

.... in North America they cut the trees down around an un gated crossing with 2 trains a day to give drivers a better view of the crossing, all it did was increase car speed, no reduction in overall risk.

OR .......similarly, after Esther Rantzen's demonstration of dropping a melon (in lieu of a child's head) onto concrete causing many kiddies playgrounds to closed and rubber matting installed, at huge cost in the rest - the number of head injuries remained the same but the the number of broken/dislocated arm rose dramatically !

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Woman's body found at rail side

The death of a woman whose body was found at the side of a railway track in Lancashire is being treated as unexplained by police.

The body was found at Brock foot crossing in Bilsborrow near Preston on Wednesday at about 2135 GMT, British Transport Police said.

She was pronounced dead at the scene and the coroner has been informed.

No further details have been released but police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

[onthecushions]

It's surprising how many LC^▸ (Level Crossing) accidents are on minor, (ex-PSS^▸ (Provincial Sector Services)) lines, involving only a dmu. If it (occasionally) comes off the road (track) then innocent staff and customers can be hurt. In practice the 3000 odd deaths on UK^▸ (United Kingdom) roads seem to be tolerated - actually this number is quite low by international standards and traffic densities - if a life is lost on rail then headlines result.

There are a lot of LC's on main lines, ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line) especially and an accident here, such as at Ufton or Hixon (remember the low loader that grounded?) is very, very severe. I am surprised that DafT hasn't a program for closing/bridging the busiest/fastest ones where a RA would show up the danger and likely cost.

Bring back those red lozenges.

OTC

[JayMac]

It's surprising how many LC^▸ (Level Crossing) accidents are on minor, (ex-PSS^▸ (Provincial Sector Services)) lines.....

OTC

Scratching head and fruitless internet trawl. PSS?