Fatalities Discussion

[Merseysider]

Sorry,but I've never read something so inane in ages!

Simple solution, fences from platform level to canopy height with electronic gates to control access. End of platforms to have fences with gates & anti trespass grids/spikes to within a few inches of the platform edge. Easy to do an effective.

So why hasn't it been done yet?

 

[Johnuk123]

If there were hotspots identified, I wouldn't be surprised to see an extra few minutes added so drivers can slow down a touch going through high-risk areas.

I would be very surprised because it's an unworkable and frankly silly suggestion.

 

[Merseysider]

I would be very surprised because it's an unworkable and frankly silly suggestion.

That all depends on what value you place on the life of another.

 

[Johnuk123]

My first thought was benefits cuts. There have been huge changes affecting a lot of 'vulnerable' people

I never thought railway suicides would be blamed on the Tories, I'm sure the Daily Mail can be shoehorned in as well somewhere.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

So why hasn't it been done yet?

It's because:

A: It's too expensive.
B: It's aesthetically displeasing.
C: It's operationally inconvenient to have someone operate the gates in emergency.
D: It's far too easy to do.

Or is it all four? :roll:

 

[Merseysider]

I never thought railway suicides would be blamed on the Tories, I'm sure the Daily Mail can be shoehorned in as well somewhere.

A quick online search for 'benefit cuts suicide' returns many instances where vulnerable people have been let down/had their income cut/been forced out of their home and taken their own life as a result.

 

[Johnuk123]

Don't you think when every station is like that potential suicidal people would just find an easier place.

 

[Merseysider]

Don't you think when every station is like that potential suicidal people would just find an easier place.

Such as a motorway, yes. But if we can keep the problem off the railways or at least reduce it that's only a good thing.

 

[DarloRich]

I would suggest not riding to the trollish bait......


There has been an awful spike in these events this week after the curve had been trending downwards.

 

[Antman]

Bloody hell, how many people have we lost over the last fortnight?
At this rate, if there were hotspots identified, I wouldn't be surprised to see an extra few minutes added so drivers can slow down a touch going through high-risk areas.

It's something that'll be near-impossible to completely prevent nationwide, but some publicity about the consequences if it goes wrong (brain damage, permanent dismemberment etc) may spur people to think twice.

Sadly I think the very reason those wanting to end their life use the railway is because it is more a less certain that they will succeed.

This really is a problem for society rather than the railway industry.

 

[thelongestroad]

You can't just partition off platforms with electronic doors... despite being hideously expensive and probably impractical at some locations, people would just find another way to get on tracks.

It's not like the Golden Gate Bridge where they have a relatively simple structure and can net off the area under the bridge.

 

[Antman]

I never thought railway suicides would be blamed on the Tories, I'm sure the Daily Mail can be shoehorned in as well somewhere.

I also get a bit fed up with those who blame the Tories/Boris/Daily Mail etc for just about everything but as far as I am concerned the blame for the increase in suicides (and not only on the railways) lays with IDS and his vicious spiteful welfare reforms.

 

[DarloRich]

You can't just partition off platforms with electronic doors... despite being hideously expensive and probably impractical at some locations, people would just find another way to get on tracks.

It's not like the Golden Gate Bridge where they have a relatively simple structure and can net off the area under the bridge.

It is about adding simple and cost effective "barriers", which may not always be physical, to reduce the numbers of suicides.

Studies that i have read show even the yellow platform hatching (like Northallerton) can turn people back.

 

[Merseysider]

It is about adding simple and cost effective "barriers", which may not always be physical, to reduce the numbers of suicides.

Studies that i have read show even the yellow platform hatching (like Northallerton) can turn people back.

I agree, studies show that an image of a policeman or even a pair of eyes can reduce shoplifting and that's to do with non-physical barriers. The "Keep behind yellow line" writing and "stay back from the platform edge" vocal announcement could be used at every station.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Go to any of our stations and you'll hear the CIS do it's Ding Dong.

Then display

**** STAND CLEAR ****
The approaching train is not
scheduled to stop at this station.​

With the appropriate announcement.

The perfect cue to jump.

 

[jon91]

I also get a bit fed up with those who blame the Tories/Boris/Daily Mail etc for just about everything but as far as I am concerned the blame for the increase in suicides (and not only on the railways) lays with IDS and his vicious spiteful welfare reforms.

You're forgetting who gave IDS his position... The Lib Dems!

 

[ExRes]

it's all very very easy to blame the government but what about people taking control of their own lives, the appalling increase in out of control drug and alcohol abuse is a personal choice not governmentally forced, credit card spending is a personal choice, buying a 4 wheel drive or BMW is a personal choice, holidays in the Far East are a personal choice, £20k plus weddings and honeymoons are a personal choice, gambling is a choice, maybe it's about time people started taking some responsibility for themselves

I don't question that some suicides are caused through being in the poverty trap but political blame is a pointless exercise, do those opponents of the present government claim that no suicides happen under a Labour government ?, be serious

Fencing in the railway is an impossible task, it would require every single inch of the network to be fenced and that is ridiculous

 

[trainophile]

Hear hear ExRes. Hence my considered use of the word "victim" earlier in this thread. It isn't a cry for help either, people must realise it's going to be the end.

The mind boggles about what the sheer cost of all these recent disruptions mounts up to. I find it ironic that you can't buy more than 16 paracetamol at a time, yet the rail system is allowed to become crippled by this current 'craze' - and yes I do believe there's been an increase due to all the publicity.

Remember that spate of young people committing suicide in Bridgend (was it?) - surely that was more than just coincidence.

I could understand it if it was happening in Scotland after recent events (tongue in cheek) but it all seems to be south of the border.

 

[thenorthern]

I don't think suicide barriers are the answer, if people want to get onto the tracks they will always be able to find a way. The most common ways I have seen are jumping off bridges and entering the tracks via level crossings both of which are very hard to stop.

I wouldn't say that financial problems because of benefit cuts are the main cause of suicides. Some of the people involved in suicides I have noticed have been GPs, IT Technicians, University Lecturers and Pharmacists.

Its a sad fact but the railways are a quick way to commit suicide with a high chance of death though the resulting consequences are horrific.

 

[LeylandLen]

There was possible suicide featured in BBC2 prog last Tuesday ," The Motorway , Life in the Fast Lane " about the M6 around Birmingham . In it someone from the Highways Agency said they at least one possible suicide attempt ( ie jumping from a bridge onto a busy road) per week which can involve closing the motorway. The case featured, from memory, the M5 being closed for over 6 hours one Saturday in March I think. So its not only railways affected.

 

[Robertj21a]

it's all very very easy to blame the government but what about people taking control of their own lives, the appalling increase in out of control drug and alcohol abuse is a personal choice not governmentally forced, credit card spending is a personal choice, buying a 4 wheel drive or BMW is a personal choice, holidays in the Far East are a personal choice, £20k plus weddings and honeymoons are a personal choice, gambling is a choice, maybe it's about time people started taking some responsibility for themselves

I don't question that some suicides are caused through being in the poverty trap but political blame is a pointless exercise, do those opponents of the present government claim that no suicides happen under a Labour government ?, be serious

Fencing in the railway is an impossible task, it would require every single inch of the network to be fenced and that is ridiculous

Well said, about time some common sense was aired.

 

[andypops]

Fencing in the railway is an impossible task, it would require every single inch of the network to be fenced and that is ridiculous

Erm, perhaps being a pedant but isn't the entire railway network in the UK fenced in...? Only ways to access are level crossings, or platforms. Unlike France...



It does feel to me like this forum has become troll-central in recent weeks.

 

[dk1]

The problem is never going to go away. Anyone intending to end it will find that rural spot or easy access via a level crossing or footpath. Measures at stations may slightly help those using it as a cry for help but some a in a far too distressed state have often chosen their location.

 

[thelongestroad]

Erm, perhaps being a pedant but isn't the entire railway network in the UK fenced in...? Only ways to access are level crossings, or platforms. Unlike France...



It does feel to me like this forum has become troll-central in recent weeks.

I think the poster is referring to the idea the whole network is fitted with 15FT barbed security fence which is of course ridiculous.

 

[ExRes]

Erm, perhaps being a pedant but isn't the entire railway network in the UK fenced in...? Only ways to access are level crossings, or platforms. Unlike France...



It does feel to me like this forum has become troll-central in recent weeks.

Take a look at The Railway Centre.com, picture of the day index and the pictures for this month, then come back on here and tell me how many of those pictures show a fenced in railway network

I also hope that you're not calling me a troll
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I think the poster is referring to the idea the whole network is fitted with 15FT barbed security fence which is of course ridiculous.

No I'm not actually, I'm referring to the network being fitted with any type of security fencing, to secure the network you would have to eliminate ALL gaps of any description, the idea of that being done is what is ridiculous

 

[dk1]

It does feel to me like this forum has become troll-central in recent weeks.

Really? Cant say ive noticed that.

 

[Mugby]

Erm, perhaps being a pedant but isn't the entire railway network in the UK fenced in...? Only ways to access are level crossings, or platforms. Unlike France...

Absolutely not. There are many hundreds of miles around the network with little or no fencing whatsoever. Have you never travelled around and observed this?

I agree with those who say it would be an impossibility to fence in the entire system.

 

[trainophile]

ATW Journey Check (linked via Twitter):

14:30 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven due 20:32
This train will be started from Wilmslow.
This train will no longer call at Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport.
This is due to a person hit by a train earlier.
Last Updated :25/09/2014 14:06

And another one .

 

[EM2]

According to one particularly moronic Twitterer, it's all the fault of TOCs not keeping to the timetable:

Meritor ‏@HorseSharing

@SouthernRailUK the fact you don t stick to you time tables put lives at risk as people cross lines when trains are not suppose to pass!

 

[Strathclyder]

^^ God give me strength....