TikTok Level Crossing 'Dare'

[Islineclear3_1]

It seems that there's not much point in putting CCTV if nobody watches it. Would there be an RAIB investigation?

I think I read upthread that the incident happened a few years ago when the line was closed for engineering work.

No, there won't be a RAIB investigation

 

[miami]

Shame, there's CCTV there which is clearly not monitored

 

[Gloster]

Going back to my time in the early 1980s, you didn’t let someone cross with anything that might obstruct a train if a train was in section and might still not have passed the crossing. (Even before Polmont, this would include cows.) With many minor crossings the users were generally regulars and they knew to watch as they approached: when they rang they would say they had seen the train and you could let them cross. Once the user had crossed, they should ring you to say they were clear and you could could get on as normal. If they didn’t ring, you cautioned the next train.

I think that use of CCTV generally falls into two areas, although my knowledge is a bit out of date. When used for controlling the lowering of the barriers the cameras are switched on so the signaller can watch the crossing while the barriers are lowered and then switched off when they are down. They are not continually monitored. They can also be used in the same way as speed cameras to record misbehaviour by road users or the general public, but this has nothing to do with the signaller.

 

[JN114]

I think that use of CCTV generally falls into two areas, although my knowledge is a bit out of date. When used for controlling the lowering of the barriers the cameras are switched on so the signaller can watch the crossing while the barriers are lowered and then switched off when they are down. They are not continually monitored. They can also be used in the same way as speed cameras to record misbehaviour by road users or the general public, but this has nothing to do with the signaller.

Switched off when they are raised again, surely?

 

[221129]

Shame, there's CCTV there which is clearly not monitored

Not all CCTV is equal. Do we know for a fact that it is actually a live feed to the signal box, or is it to detect, prevent and prosecute after an incident. Does it even work or is it a dummy for a deterrent?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2021 ==

Would there be an RAIB investigation?

Given that there was no accident, or near miss, then there is nothing for them to investigate.

 

[Gloster]

Switched off when they are raised again, surely?

My experience is that raising is usually automatic. The signaller has more important things to do than stand watching the barriers once they are safely down.

 

[Surreytraveller]

Switched off when they are raised again, surely?

No. Once the barriers are lowered, a crossing keeper/signaller pushes a button to confirm the crossing is clear, so the signals can be cleared. Pushing the 'crossing clear' button deactivates the monitors.
If anyone does anything silly after the barriers are lowered, that is down to them.

 

[Kryten2340]

You'd have thought that Top Gear's 'educational video' back in the day would be enough for people not to do this.....

 

[Ianno87]

You'd have thought that Top Gear's 'educational video' back in the day would be enough for people not to do this.....

That was 14 years ago...

 

[Harlequin]

On a note related enough to this topic to not warrant a thread of its own, I was walking through town last night and was about halfway across the crossing when the audible alarms started sounding and the lights at the crossing flashing. No problem for me, the signals give ample time for people to complete the crossing if they are part way across. What I didn't anticipate was some idiot giving it legs towards me, clearly trying to "beat" the barriers rather than simply using the bridge. I didn't think he had time to make it and I was actually wondering if he wanted to end it all. He got through the first set of barriers in good time as the first set he had to negotiate were on the right hand pavement, which hadn't yet started to drop, but the parallel barriers had started to move down and either nicked him on the head or, alternatively, were stopped mid-drop by the gentleman operating the signal box. This obviously wasn't the signalman's fault but I was mindful of the fact that what happened might have to be investigated. I went into the station to offer my details as a witness but there was nobody there. Do you think anything might come of this and, if so, how would I go about offering an account of events so as to exonerate the guy in the signal box of any blame?

 

[Surreytraveller]

On a note related enough to this topic to not warrant a thread of its own, I was walking through town last night and was about halfway across the crossing when the audible alarms started sounding and the lights at the crossing flashing. No problem for me, the signals give ample time for people to complete the crossing if they are part way across. What I didn't anticipate was some idiot giving it legs towards me, clearly trying to "beat" the barriers rather than simply using the bridge. I didn't think he had time to make it and I was actually wondering if he wanted to end it all. He got through the first set of barriers in good time as the first set he had to negotiate were on the right hand pavement, which hadn't yet started to drop, but the parallel barriers had started to move down and either nicked him on the head or, alternatively, were stopped mid-drop by the gentleman operating the signal box. This obviously wasn't the signalman's fault but I was mindful of the fact that what happened might have to be investigated. I went into the station to offer my details as a witness but there was nobody there. Do you think anything might come of this and, if so, how would I go about offering an account of events so as to exonerate the guy in the signal box of any blame?

Careful, otherwise you might get the crossing keeper into trouble for not stopping the crossing sequence soon enough

 

[zwk500]

That was 14 years ago...

Maybe NR should update the video, with the car featured in the TikTok clip and a Class 66 at 60mph?

 

[Tomnick]

On a note related enough to this topic to not warrant a thread of its own, I was walking through town last night and was about halfway across the crossing when the audible alarms started sounding and the lights at the crossing flashing. No problem for me, the signals give ample time for people to complete the crossing if they are part way across. What I didn't anticipate was some idiot giving it legs towards me, clearly trying to "beat" the barriers rather than simply using the bridge. I didn't think he had time to make it and I was actually wondering if he wanted to end it all. He got through the first set of barriers in good time as the first set he had to negotiate were on the right hand pavement, which hadn't yet started to drop, but the parallel barriers had started to move down and either nicked him on the head or, alternatively, were stopped mid-drop by the gentleman operating the signal box. This obviously wasn't the signalman's fault but I was mindful of the fact that what happened might have to be investigated. I went into the station to offer my details as a witness but there was nobody there. Do you think anything might come of this and, if so, how would I go about offering an account of events so as to exonerate the guy in the signal box of any blame?

There's no absolute requirement for the signalman to monitor the crossing through the whole lowering sequence (it might not be practical in a busy box) so there's unlikely to be anything to worry about. It happens remarkably frequently at crossings in town centres. Personally, I used to take the view that if I stopped the sequence for them, they'd be more likely to do the same thing again next time..

 

[Islineclear3_1]

On a note related enough to this topic to not warrant a thread of its own, I was walking through town last night and was about halfway across the crossing when the audible alarms started sounding and the lights at the crossing flashing. No problem for me, the signals give ample time for people to complete the crossing if they are part way across. What I didn't anticipate was some idiot giving it legs towards me, clearly trying to "beat" the barriers rather than simply using the bridge. I didn't think he had time to make it and I was actually wondering if he wanted to end it all. He got through the first set of barriers in good time as the first set he had to negotiate were on the right hand pavement, which hadn't yet started to drop, but the parallel barriers had started to move down and either nicked him on the head or, alternatively, were stopped mid-drop by the gentleman operating the signal box. This obviously wasn't the signalman's fault but I was mindful of the fact that what happened might have to be investigated. I went into the station to offer my details as a witness but there was nobody there. Do you think anything might come of this and, if so, how would I go about offering an account of events so as to exonerate the guy in the signal box of any blame?

No, I wouldn't report it - these incidents happen all the time, especially in town centres.

The last thing is the signaller needs is to go through the stress of formal investigation. As you say, the signaller stopped the crossing sequence to allow this idiot to get off the crossing. Was there a signalbox next to the crossing; did you notice?

 

[Ianno87]

No, I wouldn't report it - these incidents happen all the time, especially in town centres.

The last thing is the signaller needs is to go through the stress of formal investigation. As you say, the signaller stopped the crossing sequence to allow this idiot to get off the crossing. Was there a signalbox next to the crossing; did you notice?

Wrong, it is crossing abuse and should be properly reported to avoid it going under the RADAR. That doesn't always mean an "investigation", just recording of the incident.

 

[Harlequin]

No, I wouldn't report it - these incidents happen all the time, especially in town centres.

The last thing is the signaller needs is to go through the stress of formal investigation. As you say, the signaller stopped the crossing sequence to allow this idiot to get off the crossing. Was there a signalbox next to the crossing; did you notice?

Yeah, there's a very prominent signal box right next to the crossing.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Wrong, it is crossing abuse and should be properly reported to avoid it going under the RADAR. That doesn't always mean an "investigation", just recording of the incident.

Sorry, I meant in the context of the signaller not being hauled before a investigatory hearing...

 

[Deepgreen]

I think I read upthread that the incident happened a few years ago when the line was closed for engineering work.

No, there won't be a RAIB investigation

Engineering work and line closure doesn't guarantee no engineering trains.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jan 2021 ==

No, I wouldn't report it - these incidents happen all the time, especially in town centres.

The last thing is the signaller needs is to go through the stress of formal investigation. As you say, the signaller stopped the crossing sequence to allow this idiot to get off the crossing. Was there a signalbox next to the crossing; did you notice?

Given that it appears not to have been a 'near miss' but a 'hit' (albeit not by a train) I would report it on the basis that I would gladly give evidence of the pedestrian's fault in case he later pressed charges or something equally ludicrous.

 

[LOL The Irony]

The thing that gets me about this is, this incident took place close to the ELR and Ribble Steam Railway. The driver/poster/whoever could've easily contacted one of them and arranged something safer and legal.

In fact, here's what all the participants could all be charged with, under the Offences against the Person Act of 1861;

Placing Wood, &c., on a Railway, with Intent to endanger Passengers.​

32. Whosoever shall unlawfully and maliciously put or throw upon or across any Railway any Wood, Stone, or other Matter or Thing, or shall unlawfully and maliciously take up, remove, or displace any Rail, Sleeper, or other Matter or Thing belonging to any Railway, or shall unlawfully and maliciously turn, move, or divert any Points or other Machinery belonging to any Railway, or shall unlawfully and maliciously make or show, hide or remove, any Signal or Light upon or near to any Railway, or shall unlawfully and maliciously do or cause to be done any other Matter or Thing, with Intent, in any of the Cases aforesaid, to endanger the Safety of any Person travelling or being upon such Railway, shall be guilty of Felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable, at the Discretion of the Court, to be kept in Penal Servitude for Life or for any Term not less than Three Years,—or to be imprisoned for any Term not exceeding Two Years, with or without Hard Labour, and if a Male under the Age of Sixteen Years with or without Whipping.

Doing or emitting anything to endanger Passengers by Railway.​

34. Whosoever, by any unlawful Act, or by any wilful Omission or Neglect, shall endanger or cause to be endangered the Safety of any Person conveyed or being in or upon a Railway, or shall aid or assist therein, shall be guilty of a Misdemeanor, and being convicted thereof shall be liable, at the Discretion of the Court, to be imprisoned for any Term not exceeding Two Years, with or without Hard Labour.

Drivers of Carriages injuring Persons by furious Driving.​

35. Whosoever, having the Charge of any Carriage or Vehicle, shall, by wanton or furious Driving or Racing, or other wilful Misconduct, or by wilful Neglect, do or cause to be done any bodily Harm to any Person whatsoever, shall be guilty of a Misdemeanor, and being convicted thereof shall be liable, at the Discretion of the Court, to be imprisoned for any Term not exceeding Two Years, with or without Hard Labour.

So all to get that perfect shot and internet fame, they've all landed themselves facing up to upwards of 3 years in prison. I hope getting a picture of a modified Volkswagen Golf in drag was worth it. It reminds me of a video I recently watched where a woman in America went round shoplifting from dollar stores and wound up getting herself killed and her kids arrested on homicide charges when her car was PITed at 126 mph into a treeline over a few dollars worth of items, but I digress.

 

[2HAP]

It seems that there's not much point in putting CCTV if nobody watches it. Would there be an RAIB investigation?

More likely to be a BTP investigation. Hopefully followed by a prosecution and conviction.

 

[Jozhua]

Maybe NR should update the video, with the car featured in the TikTok clip and a Class 66 at 60mph?

They could do it on TikTok!

Caltrain has a pretty good campaign, as they have to deal with a significant amount more at-grade crossings.

I do love the dumb "I was willing to take this risk to get this photo" attitude. It's a similar kind of attitude that ends up with someone cementing their head into a microwave. Anything for the clout I guess.

 

[zwk500]

They could do it on TikTok!

Caltrain has a pretty good campaign, as they have to deal with a significant amount more at-grade crossings.

I do love the dumb "I was willing to take this risk to get this photo" attitude. It's a similar kind of attitude that ends up with someone cementing their head into a microwave. Anything for the clout I guess.

Seeing a car actually totalled would probably stick in the public's consciousness far more than the compliations of near-misses or dramatically-cut ads. Just a 30 seconds spot of lights go on, train comes through, car be gone.

I do hope that the 'risk is all part of it' crowd can be billed by the emergency services for being total prats. I know in some parts of the USA they can be, and the topic regularly gets talked about in the UK but have no idea what the current legal position is.

 

[LOL The Irony]

I've just googled the uploaders username. He has a facebook community page. The profile picture has him sitting on the disused Metrolink bridge in Castlefield, so clearly not new at rail trespass.

 

[Jozhua]

Seeing a car actually totalled would probably stick in the public's consciousness far more than the compliations of near-misses or dramatically-cut ads. Just a 30 seconds spot of lights go on, train comes through, car be gone.

I do hope that the 'risk is all part of it' crowd can be billed by the emergency services for being total prats. I know in some parts of the USA they can be, and the topic regularly gets talked about in the UK but have no idea what the current legal position is.

I think billing people for emergency services is a conversation worth talking about. My only concern is that people might avoid asking for help if they do get themselves in a stupid situation. However, in some parts of the US it is a necessity, because rural counties can't afford the level of visitors they have to rescue after extreme sports activities go wrong.

I think for sure that people who willingly take on crazy risks to do stunts or extreme sports should probably get some kind of insurance to pay for their limbs to be sewn back on.

 

[221129]

I think for sure that people who willingly take on crazy risks to do stunts or extreme sports should probably get some kind of insurance to pay for their limbs to be sewn back on.

That is generally the case already.

 

[Llanigraham]

That is generally the case already.

Exactly.
You have a road accident that requires the attendance of an ambulance and you (or your insurance company) will be sent a bill.

 

[PG]

Exactly.
You have a road accident that requires the attendance of an ambulance and you (or your insurance company) will be sent a bill.

Would that bill only be for the ambulance services costs or include wider NHS costs in the event that you required hospital treatment?

 

[Llanigraham]

Would that bill only be for the ambulance services costs or include wider NHS costs in the event that you required hospital treatment?

Don't know, sorry, and hopefully I'm personally not going to find out.