Bells and Whistles Safety Cameras to Police Arizona Railway

[RobBrady]

El Mirage, Arizona plans to install safety cameras at rail crossings in an effort to deter impatient motorists who ignore warning lights and drive around crossing barriers. The system includes a microphone that records the bell warning sounds and whistling from approaching trains.

In the United States a train must have a working bell and a whistle or horn that must be sounded four times as the train approaches crossings. That said, some US cities have passed laws prohibiting the use of bells and whistles due to noise complaints.

The argument against the use of full barriers, which block the full width of the road and therefore the track, is that when motorists get stranded on a crossing with half-width barriers, an opportunity still exists for escape.

Two other U.S. cities already are using railroad-crossing safety cameras, Grand Prairie and Houston, both in Texas. The fine for violation is $150.

Back in 2007, more than 3,000 UK drivers were flashed on a Bridlington level crossing and over 1000 prosecuted - most of who claimed they were innocent. They claimed the three-second amber warning lights didn't leave enough time for them to stop safely.
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Robert Brady

[Tim Buxton]

[RobBrady]

According to Network Rail UK, every year, over 2,000 pedestrians and motorists are reported to have misused a crossing. It must be a much higher number that go unreported.

I'm sure tragic accidents do happen, but how can the authorities be absolutely sure that those hit when stationary between the barriers weren't suicides?

Also, has anyone heard of reports of pedestrians being identified (recognised by local police) and prosecuted on video evidence of them crossing closed barriers?
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Robert Brady

[Tim Buxton]

[worried]

There was a case in the last week In I think Norfolk where a lady slid on the Ice at a crossing and glance hit a van, they tried to push her off the crossing but was hit by the train, the Woman was killed. The time from Barrier down to train is only a matter of seconds

see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7811928.stm

[pcaouolte]

[pendlemac]

[pcaouolte]

I have never been in this situation but I doubt that the brain would process thoughts clearly whilst stranded on a very icy level crossing with a train approaching.

Your advice is sensible but may not come immediately to mind in a panic situation.
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Paul

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