Bus stuck on crossing

[6Gman]

I wasn't sure either but I wondered if Crossover was suggesting what sort of punishment he'd dole out?

My posting (I'm 6Gman) was what I would consider appropriate as a punishment.

If it would cause him hardship, tough.

 

[fsmr]

Perhaps we could use the red light cameras (like at some traffic lights) at level crossings, and prosecute those who drive when the lights are flashing?

Oakham main LC in Rutland and Narborough on the Leicester Nuneaton line both have fixed yellow traffic cams for a while now in fact think Narborough was fitted a few years back as that is remotely monitored

Also for some days last week, there has been a white police camera van parked near both LCs in Oakham with a sticker on the side saying "working with NWR" although quite why it was at the main LC as that has the cameras alrteady and theye are regularly putting drivers through the courts.

 

[michael769]

As well as fixed red light cameras, it is not unusual for crossing attendants and signalers (via the CCTV monitoring) to report offenders and those reports are followed up and prosecuted.

 

[richw]

I wouldnt have the balls to jump a level crossing lights, the thought of a train hurtling at me at speed. I cant see how anyone is brave enough to try their luck!

 

[Lewisham2221]

I wouldnt have the balls to jump a level crossing lights, the thought of a train hurtling at me at speed. I cant see how anyone is brave enough to try their luck!

Remove "brave" and insert "stupid" or "ignorant" and you may see the picture more clearly.

 

[fgwrich]

I seem to recall BTP are currently in the process of obtaining the legal provisions necessary to use automatic camera equipment to issue tickets for crossing misuse.

Sounds like an extended and sensible roll out of ANPR camera's then. Something that's interestingly starting to see a roll out in Shopping Centre car parks now too.

 

[causton]

I wouldnt have the balls to jump a level crossing lights, the thought of a train hurtling at me at speed. I cant see how anyone is brave enough to try their luck!

They think either that trains travel slowly, or are far away ("it's something like 5 minutes before the train actually comes all the time" etc) or can brake just like a car can!

 

[deltic1989]

21 and in charge of a bus like that, crikey.

Would it surprise you to learn that 21 year olds can drive 40 tonne articulated lorries too? The vehicle licensing laws in the UK are a little odd. You can drive a bus from 18 for example but have to be over 21 to ride a motorcycle with (I believe) a power output of greater than 33bhp.

If it was me sitting on the bench I would have taken a pair of scissors to this plank's licence. He has potentially put up to or over 100 lives at risk to save a few minutes. hats off to the signaler if he hadn't been on the ball this could have ended very badly indeed.

 

[90019]

21 and in charge of a bus like that, crikey.

Note my age and job.

Would it surprise you to learn that 21 year olds can drive 40 tonne articulated lorries too?

44 tonne.

 

[notadriver]

Not to mention they could be charge of 1000 ton freight trains as you have to be 21 to be a train driver.

 

[jopsuk]

Jumping the lights is obviously wrong. But at CCTV or locally controlled crossings, assuming we're talking cases like this where the driver goes under a decending barrier (smashing through a fully decended barrier or a pedestrian jumping the barrier is a different situation, as is anything to do with automatic half barrier, open or user worked corssing) exactly how dangerous is it? My understanding is that the signal protecting the crossing will remain at red until the signaller confirms that the barriers are down and the crossing is clear? Therefore in theory no train should be able to approach?

 

[Tomnick]

Correct, which is exactly what happened in this case.

 

[D2022]

The barrier drop time to the train at LC time is scary, we've a crossing in Purton, near me, where you get about 15 seconds for a HST! I've seen many a time when the trains within seconds of the crossing and the barriers aren't fully down. Its been known for the barriers to not even come down in the past but NR sorted that one out after some car nearly got slammed by a 66 with a rake of tank carriers.

 

[dk1]

The barrier drop time to the train at LC time is scary, we've a crossing in Purton, near me, where you get about 15 seconds for a HST! I've seen many a time when the trains within seconds of the crossing and the barriers aren't fully down. Its been known for the barriers to not even come down in the past but NR sorted that one out after some car nearly got slammed by a 66 with a rake of tank carriers.

Would not have been the case at a CCTV crossing though.

 

[185]

Shocking. Does not help when the company are tightening up their timetables and giving drivers utterly minimal turnaround time just to save a penny or two.

Doesn't excuse the appalling driving but you can see why it happens.

 

[northwichcat]

Presumably the lights must have already been flashing when he entered the crossing? Putting your life at risk is one thing, but doing the same with a bus-load of people? Completely deplorable.

If you look at the video they are flashing before the tractor went over the crossing (but maybe the tractor couldn't have stopped in time.) Although, the bus should have stopped.

And why did the bus sit there with it's door closed? Shouldn't the driver have opened them and told the passengers to get off ASAP?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

21 and in charge of a bus like that, crikey.

In some areas First Bus have trained students as drivers who are part time drivers as well as studying at uni.

 

[dk1]

I have refrained from putting much about this incident on here as the moderators are not to keen on foul language. I have vented that on facebook instead

 

[Eagle]

And why did the bus sit there with it's door closed? Shouldn't the driver have opened them and told the passengers to get off ASAP?

Because there were no passengers; the bus was empty (after a school run and presumably running back to the depot).

 

[83G/84D]

As well as fixed red light cameras, it is not unusual for crossing attendants and signalers (via the CCTV monitoring) to report offenders and those reports are followed up and prosecuted.

In most cases I know of CCTV camera pictures are of insufficient quality to enable signalling staff to take details of offending vehicles such as colour and registration.

For a start most pictures are black and white and the images are NOT recorded so it would prove rather difficult to pursue any action against any offenders.

Regardless of the design of the barriers,all of which meet all standards and legislation, motorists should STOP once the red lights start flashing.

In my view the bus driver should have his PCV license taken away permanantly.

 

[anthony263]

21 and in charge of a bus like that, crikey.

I was 18 when I first sat at the wheel of a 45 seater coach

 

[Cliveblackpool]

The barrier drop time to the train at LC time is scary, we've a crossing in Purton, near me, where you get about 15 seconds for a HST! I've seen many a time when the trains within seconds of the crossing and the barriers aren't fully down. Its been known for the barriers to not even come down in the past but NR sorted that one out after some car nearly got slammed by a 66 with a rake of tank carriers.

I've been on a down train approaching Gwinear road ahb crossing, I could see cars crossing, then the next view, barriers coming down 10 to 15 seconds later we were on the crossing. train speed 60 mph approx.

I know nothing of how this particular crossing works, but I thought the signalman has to keep the button pressed through the whole sequence. The monitors are normally directly in front. I am surprised the barriers did not stop.

As for drivers doing this type of offence, at least a few weeks ban and/or retake their test, should be the least they get.

 

[Statto]

Just what I was about to say. All of the crossings I have seen previously lower entry gates and then after a delay lower the exit gates (if any). The crossing should be replaced with one with 2 barriers per side

Exactly what happens at Level Crossings in my area Merseyrail, even if the alarm goes off, the barriers go down once all traffic & pedestrians have cleared the crossing, the crossing also has CCTV which is linked to IECC at Sandhills so the Signaller can stop the trains passing if there's anything wrong on the crossings.

 

[185]

I was 18 when I first sat at the wheel of a 45 seater coach

Some of the UK's best PCV drivers started at that age. In my career, only damage I ever did behind the wheel was wheelspin out the depot in a fit of rage (was given a horrid, long duty) and my back wheels flicked up ballast putting the supervisors hut window through.

I only found out when they rung me up halfway across the Runc bridge

 

[John55]

Exactly what happens at Level Crossings in my area Merseyrail, even if the alarm goes off, the barriers go down once all traffic & pedestrians have cleared the crossing, the crossing also has CCTV which is linked to IECC at Sandhills so the Signaller can stop the trains passing if there's anything wrong on the crossings.

The level crossings on Merseyrail are not generally automatic but are operated by one of five level crossing operators at Sandhills. The operators monitor the CCTV and operate the crossings. Only then can the signals be cleared. As far as I remember they are all double gates each side so there is an escape phase before the exit gate descends.

Centralised operation does have its drawbacks as demonstrated when the copper fairies disabled sandhills on Saturday night and all the crossing gates remained stuck down for the rest of the day.

The way the gates work on Merseyrail is very poor for the road users and NR is a very bad neighbour in this respect as the gates are down for far too long before a train approaches. While level crossings do have to be operated safely the inordinate delays I regularly see to road traffic at Freshfield and Maghull are extremely poor behaviour by the railway.

 

[Statto]

The level crossings on Merseyrail are not generally automatic but are operated by one of five level crossing operators at Sandhills. The operators monitor the CCTV and operate the crossings. Only then can the signals be cleared. As far as I remember they are all double gates each side so there is an escape phase before the exit gate descends.

Centralised operation does have its drawbacks as demonstrated when the copper fairies disabled sandhills on Saturday night and all the crossing gates remained stuck down for the rest of the day.

The way the gates work on Merseyrail is very poor for the road users and NR is a very bad neighbour in this respect as the gates are down for far too long before a train approaches. While level crossings do have to be operated safely the inordinate delays I regularly see to road traffic at Freshfield and Maghull are extremely poor behaviour by the railway.

Good points, a few times the barriers have been stuck in the down position at the Level Crossing in my area long after a train has passed with no other train approaching the Level Crossing meaning either waiting until the problem is solved[which is normally after the next train passed the crossing] or negotiating a long detour.

Also agree with your last point, the barriers are down for what feels like a long time before the train passes, i know they have to operate safely, but on my the crossing at my Station the barriers down before the train arrives at the previous station. No Freight Trains on my branch just Passenger Trains which stop at every Station with the occasional empty stock movements & rare Engineering Train movements.

Also been in the position walking across the Level Crossing when the alarm goes off but as the crossing is monitored buy CCTV the barriers go down once the crossing is cleared. The crossing is double barrier gate either side.

 

[sevenhills]

Would it surprise you to learn that 21 year olds can drive 40 tonne articulated lorries too? The vehicle licensing laws in the UK are a little odd. You can drive a bus from 18 for example but have to be over 21 to ride a motorcycle with (I believe) a power output of greater than 33bhp.

I sometimes find the bus drivers that I see over 60 are past their best. One particular driver had more than 1 accident whilst driving backwards. At least you dont get that with trains.

 

[Goatboy]

I was 18 when I first sat at the wheel of a 45 seater coach

I thought you had to be 21 to drive a vehicle of that size? Most 18 year olds (I include myself in that when I was 18, too!) can't be trusted with anything more than a 1.25 Fiesta hence the enormous insurance premiums that result if they pick anything else

I'm genuinelly suprised but the law is clear - 21 = fine to drive a double decker bus. I'd have thought 25 was more sensible really, especially from a maturity perspective. I don't think many 21 year olds are mature enough to be responsible for the lives of a double decker bus worth of passengers. Takes a while to get rid of the risk taking mentality (Which is fine in some circumstances, not so in others ie level crossings when driving a double decker bus...)

Being in my 20's myself I hope I can hold these views without coming across as ageist

 

[jon0844]

They think either that trains travel slowly, or are far away ("it's something like 5 minutes before the train actually comes all the time" etc) or can brake just like a car can!

If it was a Virgin train, it would of course be able to steer around an obstruction!

 

[tsr]

If it was a Virgin train, it would of course be able to steer around an obstruction!

Would a Virgin driver really want to steer around an empty bus operated by First?

 

[jopsuk]

The barrier drop time to the train at LC time is scary, we've a crossing in Purton, near me, where you get about 15 seconds for a HST! I've seen many a time when the trains within seconds of the crossing and the barriers aren't fully down. Its been known for the barriers to not even come down in the past but NR sorted that one out after some car nearly got slammed by a 66 with a rake of tank carriers.

That'll be an Automatic half barrier, I'd assume.