Re: Melb Trams and Fatalities

[Chris Sinnema <csinn@pop.netlink.com.au>]

As A tram driver for Swanston Trams I can assure you that there are a lot of
accidents. I have had 19 incidents involving cars smashing into my tram in
the last 3 and a half years. The statistics put together by our senior depot
trainer show a decrease, but I would say that on an average day at my depot
there are at least two accidents. The incident on the West Coburg line that
made the news recently showed what happens all the time,. The driver of that
tram was lucky to be alive. But fatalities, no there are not to many. The
trams are not usually going to fast and the emrgancy track brakes can pull
the tram up fairly quick.
CS

Kim Hazelgrove wrote:

> Just a simple one. My wife and I were in Melbourne in July and a
> pedestrian was run over by a tram. We came out from Spencer St Station
> as the poor police were picking up the severed arm and leg and taking it
> back to the body. (We had wondered why there was no traffic!) It certain
> was scary for us sandgropers standing in the middle of the road  waiting
> for a tram.
> Anyway, my question is: What is the average or statistic for tram
> fatalities per day, week, month, year (whatever the recording is)?
> Please help us to find out this tidbit of trivia.
>
> PS We LOVED travelling on the Hillside and Bayside trains. We had a
> ball. Went to Ballarat by coach and came back by sprinter thingy. We had
> a great time.
>
> Kimbo Hazelgrove