European level crossing enforcement

[John Ashworth]

Spy-in-van camera to target rail crossings

By Iain Ramage
The Press and Journal (Scotland)
Published: 22/06/2010

A spy camera vehicle will be introduced in the Highlands today as part of a drive to cut the toll of deaths and serious injuries at level crossings.

Thirteen people were killed at railways crossing across the country last year – including three members of the same family in one horrific accident in the north.

A camera van, which was on trial with British Transport Police (BTP) in Caithness earlier this year, will be based in Inverness, but be available for use across the region.

Footage from the cameras will be shown to drivers to try to educate them on how to use crossings properly – or as evidence after an offence.

Two camera vehicles – a car will also be based in the central belt – will be manned by two BTP officers.

Superintendent Jim McKelvie, head of operations for the BTP in Scotland, said: “Level-crossing misuse is an international issue.

“BTP in Scotland, in partnership with Network Rail, has made advances in influencing driver behaviour and making them aware of the dangers associated with risking lives at level crossings.

“Our officers will be out in force at crossings all over the country and will continue to drive home the message that level crossing misuse is unacceptable.

“The use of newly-established camera enforcement vehicles will allow officers to target level crossings anywhere in the country and react to a location where misuse is reported by rail staff or members of the public.”

There are already fixed cameras covering eight level crossings in Scotland, a BTP spokesman said.

Both the camera vehicles are being unveiled today to mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day.

Network Rail’s community safety manager for Scotland, Mark Henderson, said: “We have a good safety record in comparison to many other countries, but even one death is one too many.

“Jumping the lights and ignoring warning signs is sadly a sight we see all too often. Level crossings are safe, but if misused they all pose very real risks.

“Today gives us another opportunity to drive home the message that running the risk at a level crossing is just not worth it. By trying to save a few seconds, you could end up seriously hurt or losing your life.”

An accident at an open level crossing at Halkirk in Caithness last September claimed the lives of pensioners Angus and Margaret Mackay, of Firthview Drive, Inverness, and Mr Mackay’s brother, Donald, of Forse House, Latheron.

The car they were travelling in was struck by a train.

Network Rail has called for questions on level crossings to be included in the driving test because accident figures for 2009 suggested 95% were the fault of users.

There has been a growing clamour, including pressure from Highland politicians, for barriers to be installed at all level crossings in the region after a string of accidents and near-misses in recent years.

There have been several claims that warning lights were not always visible to drivers.

There's also an audio clip on this from BBC here


Radars to guard level crossings

The Connexion (France)
June 22, 2010

CAMERAS are to be installed at 100 of France's most dangerous level-crossings by 2012 to automatically fine drivers who ignore warnings.

The special radars will record the details of any vehicles that cross while warning lights are flashing. Drivers face a €135 fine and could lose four licence points if they are caught.

The first two cameras will enter service later this year at Hondeghem (Nord) and Le Plessis-Belleville (Picardy) - where local officials estimate that three-quarters of the 80 daily level crossing closures are ignored by locals.

The measures were unveiled by Transport Secretary Dominique Bussereau two years ago after a collision between a coach and a train in Haute-Savoie which killed seven young people.

Railway infrastructure group Reseau Ferré de France is also working to install more barriers at rural level crossings instead of just lights - and is removing some crossings altogether.


Driver narrowly misses train during police chase

Story by: ANDREW PAPWORTH Monday, 21 June, 2010
Cambs24 (England)
14:53 PM

A TRAIN was just seconds away from crashing into a stolen car which was being chased by police over a level crossing.

Officers were in pursuit of the red Mercedes Kompressor coupe after it was taken from outside a property in Grounds Avenue, March on Saturday (June 19) night.

Police tracked the vehicle in Peterborough on Sunday (June 20) but chased it through the city and along the A605 after it failed to stop.

The getaway driver drove through the barriers at the Kings Delph railway crossing at 2.45pm, just nine seconds before the train was due to arrive.

The driver got away but the Mercedes was later found at Woolpack Lane car park in Whittlesey. The train collided with barrier debris just moments after the incident.

Detective Sergeant Chris O’Brien said no was injured in the collision but added: “It could have been a different story.”

Making an appeal to residents for information, he said: “It is vital we trace the man responsible and any information, no matter how small, could lead us to him.”

Anyone with information should call DS O’Brien on 0345 456 4564.