Re: Teenagers killed by train

[Michael Kurkowski <mk@netstra.com.au>]

Donald R Smith <drsmith@iinet.net.au> said:

>Now the whole story.  A ute and trailer with three teenage passengers
>challenged the right of way of a grain train at 6.10pm last night.  The
>crossing is supposedly, had to pick up by road but the picture in the
>West Australian today belied that to some extent.  The report mentioned
>that the train had pulled up about 700 yards down the track.  What the
>report didn't say is whether it was a head-on or they drove into the
>side of the moving train.  

>The crossing has warning signs only.

And they ignored the warning signs "only". Same thing happens when you run 
a red light, or overtake on a crest with a sharp corner on double white 
lines. While people who run red lights and overtake in dangerous conditions 
are (rightfullt) ostracised for their actions, especially when an accident 
involves a fatality, incidents involving railways often have the blame 
placed on the train or the driver themselves. 

While it's truly sad to see three young lives lost, the driver of that car 
was ultimately the cause of the accident. If you don't know what the road 
ahead of you has to offer, slow down. If there is a level crossing, slow 
down and even stop until you are satisfied that there are no trains 
approaching. If there is a stop sign on the level crossing, stop.

Once again, it's an issue that there has been no education (like the TAC 
and RTA advertisements) for drivers to show that fatal accidents can occur 
on level crossings and that once again, signs are placed there for a 
reason. What I believe is more of a worry is that authorities are 
complacent as far as level crossing safety goes, which once again stems to 
lack of education. 

As with the story above, if the car did ram into the side of the train, or 
if it was a head on collision, it's true that they did not stop or slow to 
inspect the line before proceeding across. Either they were driving too 
fast to stop or they were complacent in their decision that no train was 
present. Perhaps this also brings back the lack of experience issue that is 
currently being addressed in Victoria (i.e. the advertising campaign, and 
mass promotion that drivers need more experience).

Just a thought...

Michael.