Posted 10th March 2010 | 2 Comments

Coucher calls for Government action over level crossing risks

The barriers are coming down and the lights are flashing, but still this man walks across the path of an approaching train

The barriers are coming down and the lights are flashing, but still this man walks across the path of an approaching train

NETWORK Rail chief executive Iain Coucher is urging the Government to take action over level crossing misuse. Mr Coucher wants driving tests to include compulsory questions about how to use crossings properly. There are more than 8,000 level crossings on the National Rail network, and 95% of the 3,000+ incidents annually are being blamed on the actions of vehicle drivers or pedestrians.

The company has released several clips taken from CCTV cameras, showing foolhardy behaviour by road users both in vehicles and on foot.

Mr Coucher said: "Motorists are too often playing Russian roulette with a 200 tonne train – and tragically some lose their lives gambling at level crossings by running red lights or dodging around barriers.

“I’m confident that lives will be saved if motorists learn how to safely use level crossings from the day they pass their test. Our campaign is raising awareness of the very real dangers of running the risk but we think more can be done to change motorists’ behaviour.”

Although most road users get away with ignoring safety signs and stop signals, there were 14 collisions between trains and road vehicles last year.

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • Patrick, London, England

    I can't believe questions about level crossings are not already compulsory in the car driving test! But nevertheless, this is a good step forward.
    In addition to this, children need to be taught about level crossing safety and crossing railway lines (as a pedestrian) from an early age at school. They are already taught the green cross code and how to cross roads safely so why not include rail safety into the national curriculum?

  • les Burge, leicester, england

    I Think that level crossings should be paid for and policed out of the roads fund.