Re: [VIC] Dandenong Line Yesterday

[Chris Brownbill <cbrnbill@enternet.com.au>]

Come off it - everybody but everybody is subject to the authority of police
constables and MUST obey directions.  Obviously a PC would take into account
that a train driver probably understands more about the safety issues of driving
a train than he, so is unlikely to direct an unsafe movement if advised that is
the case.  In the example given it sounds as if the police were simply directing
trains to wait until given the go-ahead, and that is quite OK as far as I can
see - its not like they were directing drivers to break regulations.

Samuel Eades wrote:
> 
> > Every level crossing was down, and traffic lights at those level crossings
> > were flashing yellow. Police were in attendance at every crossing
> directing
> > traffic around.
> 
> Police (AFAIK) have no authority on railway property. All that they are
> alowed to do is turn cars back. The only employees who are permitted to
> direct traffic through a defective level crossing is an employee of the
> railway/maintencance company - even that is rarely done now.
> 
> > At some level crossings police were telling trains when to stop and go.  I
> > believe this may have been because many cars were still tryng through the
> > crossing, and many pedestrians (in particular school children) were
> > crossing.
> 
> Police are DEFIANTLY not allowed to regulate rail traffic. That has to be
> done by an employee (e.g.. a flagman, signaller) with the appropriate
> Safeworking qualifications, obeying the correct regulations.
> 
> Sam