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Sat Nav Blamed For Sending Driver Along Rail Tracks
Article by: rob brady
Date: 31 Oct 2013
An 80 year old woman has been given "words of advice" by police after causing disruption to rail services in Canterbury, Kent.
The elderly lady reportedly followed her sat nav's instruction to turn right at a level crossing and ended up on the railway tracks. It is more likely that she misheard or misread the instruction.
She managed to drive 30 metres along the tracks and when she and her passenger realised the mistake, they got out and left the vehicle on the line.
Witnesses immediately called 999 and train services were halted while her car was removed.
A similar incident happened at the very same level crossing back in 2009 when a 74 year old taxi driver turned right and travelled along the tracks. He realised his mistake, tried to reverse, but got stuck which also resulted in train services being halted.
He wasn't so lucky as the lady responsible for the latest incident. He got more than advice - he was banned from driving for three years, fined and ordered to retake his test if he ever wanted to drive again.
This kind of basic driving error is becoming all too common and certainly not confined to those of a certain age. There have been many similar incidents reported over the last few years and it appears that those of all ages are prone to rely too much on sat navs and not their eyes.
Source
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 Posted by worried on Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:24 pm |
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I have a Garmin that tells you to turn right well before you reach the junction, I always have to look at the screen to make sure
that level crossing had a smooth surface and no gates or barrier, one of those that British Rail are going to take action on
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| Posted by M8TJT on Thu Oct 31, 2013 4:48 pm |
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Seems like the SatNav told her to turn right when it actually meant 'follow the road'. Here
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| Posted by lenfish on Thu Oct 31, 2013 9:59 pm |
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"it appears that those of all ages are prone to rely too much on sat navs and not their eyes".
True, the crossing is similar to many in the country, is well marked as such and appears to be floodlit.
Given the ages of the offenders, could it not be that they were using their eyes but their eyes were not seeing too well, especially in the dark?
And to cap it all the line is third rail electric at 750v dc. Gives a whole new meaning to electric cars.
And no, I'm not ageist, knocking on myself don't you know.
Len
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| Posted by Privateer on Fri Nov 01, 2013 1:22 pm |
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| M8TJT Wrote: | | Seems like the SatNav told her to turn right when it actually meant 'follow the road'. Here |
I don't know the road, but using Google street view, I agree with M8TJT that the SatNav should have meant 'follow the road'.
I believe that drivers should be fit and competent to drive, that SatNavs are for information, and that the driver is solely responsible for their actions. However I also believe that had this been a manned crossing then the incident would most probably not have happened, as the few manned crossings that I have seen have (white) gates that closed off the road for the train and when not in use the gates close off the tracks when the road traffic is using the crossing.
I understand that most crossings are no longer manned as automated crossings are cheaper to run however the railway authorities (currently Network Rail) should ensure that at all of their crossings (manned and automated) it should be impossible to turn onto the tracks unless you have the necessary reason and permission to do so. This could be done by gates that swing across the road and railway lines, One Way Traffic Flaps that allow road vehicles to come away from the railway line but not drive onto a railway line (unless the flaps are locked down), etc..
To sum up, I think that it is six of one and half a dozen of the other, it is the driver's responsibility not to drive onto a railway line but it is also the responsibility of Network Rail to ensure that drivers do not do so (and therefore trespass) by mistake or intentionally.
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D |
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| Posted by M8TJT on Fri Nov 01, 2013 4:38 pm |
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| Privateer Wrote: | | To sum up, I think that it is six of one and half a dozen of the other, it is the driver's responsibility not to drive onto a railway line but it is also the responsibility of Network Rail to ensure that drivers do not do so (and therefore trespass) by mistake or intentionally. |
And I suppose that you wear a hardhat and steel toe capped boots wherever you go, carrying a HaS manual.
Lets get real, the blame and HaS culture has gone quite mad recently. Name four other countries in the world that fence off the whole of their rail network. I suppose what we really need, as well as all the barriers across the line that you suggest, is no entry signs to warn stupid people not to drive or walk onto the tracks.
Here you go. Belgium. No fences, no barriers across the line and obviously lots of common sense to neither drive onto the track nor cross it with a train/tram coming. Click
It is TOTALLY the driver's responsibility not to drive onto a railway line and no one else's. It is unfair to blame NR for negligence which is what you and others elsewhere appear to be doing.
PS. I forgot the mandatory hi viz clothing.
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| Posted by Snudge on Sat Nov 02, 2013 4:37 pm |
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The 80 year old woman should have had her licence taken away and she should have had to take a driving test if she wanted it back just as the taxi driver did.
I once met an old lady driving the wrong way up a slip road onto a dual carriageway - I was able to stop in front of her or she may have had a 'head-on'
Age does have a lot to do with it.
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| Posted by M8TJT on Sat Nov 02, 2013 4:52 pm |
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| Snudge Wrote: | | Age does have a lot to do with it. |
Watch it, or you'll have us old fellas around. I can get a whole gang together. 
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| Posted by M8TJT on Sat Nov 02, 2013 5:28 pm |
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He He
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| Posted by Snudge on Sun Nov 03, 2013 10:09 am |
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I'll make you all a nice cup of tea!
(I'm over 60 myself - happy to take my test again anytime )
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