KENT NEWS: Reckless drivers are putting their lives on the line at a busy level crossing, transport chiefs have warned.
Inpatient motorists frequently swerve under or around the level crossing barriers in Ingram Road, Gillingham, placing themselves in danger of being struck by a speeding train.
Last year four drivers were seen to career around the barriers and one driver even hit the red and white bars.
In Grain eight motorists passed through the gates as they were being closed and in Aylesford a barrier was knocked off its hinges on three separate occasions.
Across Kent there were seven more extremely near misses.
Network Rail bosses said they fear it is only a matter of time before a vehicle is hit.
The transport giant held a day-long safety campaign at the Gillingham crossing in a bid to highlight the dangers of level crossing misuse.
Community safety manager Anne-Marie Batson said: “The level crossing at Gillingham has up to 350 trains per day passing through at speeds of up to 60mph.
“We held this event to highlight the often tragic consequences which could result from taking risks at level crossings.
“It is both incredibly dangerous and illegal to swerve under or around barriers or ignore warning lights and signs, and we hope that by understanding the consequences, people who currently misuse the level crossing will act more responsibly.”
Network Rail’s Don’t Run the Risk campaign had been backed by the British Transport Police.
Officers spoke with motorists in Gillingham on Thursday, May 20, asking them the question: “Would it kill you to wait?”
BTP Inspector Ed Walden said: “Some people are prepared to put their life and the safety of other innocent people at risk just to save time at level crossings.
“The majority of drivers and pedestrians respect the warning lights and barriers at level crossings but a small minority are still prepared to run the risk to shave a few of minutes off their journey time.
“This sort of impatience is very dangerous and we are working closely with Network Rail and other partners in the rail industry to address the problem.”
A similar activity is planned for the level crossing in Rainham on Monday, June 14.
POSTED: 21/05/2010 10:02:04
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