Fined for crossing railway crossing too early

[Sam_Boss260]

Best mate was lined up at a railway crossing, with the boom gates down and lights flashing. He was the fourth car in the queue.

Boom gates go up and cars go over. Only thing is, on the other side were the police, who pulled over all 4 cars for crossing over while the red lights were still flashing. $300 fin and 3 points - thanks for coming.

I know that I do not wait until the lights stop flashing before proceeding to cross, do anyone else?

[MAV50L]

Well technically you are disobeying a traffic signal.
Do you normally wait for the traffic lights to change to green before you take off or do you sneak in a quick slip through before they change?

[Springfield_Johny]

what if another train had come & the boom gates starting closing again? I'm imagining someones head over there, torso somewhere else, a leg accross the road, only found by the trail of intestines leading to it the poor buggers who have to clean it all up & the cops who have to knock on the loved ones door to explain what happened

[dallasv8]

too many cars and trucks coming in contact with trains lately.
now with cane season upon us they will be keeping an eye on this sort of thing.

[Eu-GenixX]

i actually won't cross until the lights stop flashing.. which sometimes annoys ppl behind me....but too bad for them..

i also actually come to a complete stop at stop signs...

[LTDHO]

There's a crossing in Victoria with a red light camera!

[davocol]

It is Nunawading and from memory it is not switched on, if you waited at Nunawading until the boom gates came up fully during peak hour you would probably never leave the crossing, the trains are that frequent.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by davocol

It is Nunawading and from memory it is not switched on, if you waited at Nunawading until the boom gates came up fully during peak hour you would probably never leave the crossing, the trains are that frequent.

I called up 3AW a few years back when they had Steve Bracks on, and asked him about this. He said it was used for monitoring the crossing, not for fining people. So there you go.

Actually a fine is a dumb thing, because if another train were to come, the bells would sound before the boomgates lower. Dont they usually stop before the gates raise? But then a point on their side is safety, there have been way too many fatal accidents at train crossings. All of which were avoidable. I remember at Springvale station one time, traffic was banked up. One car thought he would chance it. I thought that guy was an idiot. The boomgates dont stay up for long at Springvale. They didn't, bells went, gates lowered, this guy had nowhere to go either. Fortunately, the piece of track was straight and the train was able to stop and wait.
But, i still don't think fining people for proceeding after the gates are raised, but lights are flashing is the right solution. Fining people for not keeping the tracks clear would be appropriate.

[Valid8]

I remember a taxi driver in Lilydale went through the crossing a bit early and was pulled over by the police. The cop informed him of the fine and demerits he would lose and the cabby pointed out that he only had 1 point left on his licence and that because of this he would lose his income, cab, house and things were a bit strained at home so he was sure he would lose his wife. The policeman went back to his car for a few minutes and on returning just issued a warning, good on him.

[Pinch]

Originally Posted by COOGES

I remember a taxi driver in Lilydale went through the crossing a bit early and was pulled over by the police. The cop informed him of the fine and demerits he would lose and the cabby pointed out that he only had 1 point left on his licence and that because of this he would lose his income, cab, house and things were a bit strained at home so he was sure he would lose his wife. The policeman went back to his car for a few minutes and on returning just issued a warning, good on him.

I completely disagree there.

The taxi driver is a PROFESSIONAL driver. They should know better - our lives depend on it. To have accumulated 11 points means they had plenty of chances and warnings then and kept breaking the law with full knowledge of what would happen.

"They are on the road more, so are more likely to be caught" I hear some fingers poised to strike the keyboard... Yes, but again only if they are doing the wrong thing.

I damn sure wouldn't want to be in a cab when it was playing Connex or CityRail roulette.

If I (and many of you) kept doing the wrong things time after time, warning after warning in my non-driving job, I would lose it, my house etc etc too. I could cut corners to make life easier on myself in my job, not pay as much attention etc - but I don't because I know the consequences. Professional driving is a vocation and I am sick of people denigrating it by their actions. So I am just a bit confuised why should professional drivers, who we all trust with our lives in their competence and application to their job, get MORE leniency than the rest of us? Most non driving vocations have 3 strikes and you are out.

My old man runs a few trucks, there are another 4 truckies in our family, and another 3 who do about 50K in cars a year for work. I was one of them too driving HR's, and then about 70K a year throughout NSW for years. Stuck to the rules, and guess what - we all keep our jobs, businesses and homes. Not rocket science.

[Valid8]

Originally Posted by Pinch

I completely disagree there.

The taxi driver is a PROFESSIONAL driver. They should know better - our lives depend on it. To have accumulated 11 points means they had plenty of chances and warnings then and kept breaking the law with full knowledge of what would happen.

"They are on the road more, so are more likely to be caught" I hear some fingers poised to strike the keyboard... Yes, but again only if they are doing the wrong thing.

I damn sure wouldn't want to be in a cab when it was playing Connex or CityRail roulette.

If I (and many of you) kept doing the wrong things time after time, warning after warning in my non-driving job, I would lose it, my house etc etc too. I could cut corners to make life easier on myself in my job, not pay as much attention etc - but I don't because I know the consequences. Professional driving is a vocation and I am sick of people denigrating it by their actions. So I am just a bit confuised why should professional drivers, who we all trust with our lives in their competence and application to their job, get MORE leniency than the rest of us? Most non driving vocations have 3 strikes and you are out.

My old man runs a few trucks, there are another 4 truckies in our family, and another 3 who do about 50K in cars a year for work. I was one of them too driving HR's, and then about 70K a year throughout NSW for years. Stuck to the rules, and guess what - we all keep our jobs, businesses and homes. Not rocket science.

Yeah, sure Pinch, the taxi driver is a professional driver. What other profession earns $8.00 per hour? By the way the cabby was caught not wearing his seat belt a couple of times and not waiting long enough at a stop sign. Hardly warrants 3 strikes and you are out.

[dom_105]

Originally Posted by COOGES

I remember a taxi driver in Lilydale went through the crossing a bit early and was pulled over by the police.

There's only two crossings that I would be willing to cross whilst the lights are flashing, and it's this one and the one further south where the Lilydale Bypass should be, after a Lilydale-bound train. Because it's only the one track and you have a decent view towards Melbourne, and you know there isn't a train coming the other way.

I understand the law, but I'm prepared to trust my own judgement. The eyes never lie.

[chevypower]

I don't know if I buy the theory that it should be treated like any red light. So when they start going and your just about to cross the tracks, you should slam on your brakes to avoid going through a "red light?"
It also happens to be a flashing red light, which means under some laws, that you have to stop and yield, but may proceed when safe to do so. If the boom gates are up, and it's flashing, under that law, you may proceed if it is safe to do so. (The same thing as a stop sign - you don't have to wait until someone removes the Stop sign). In that case, the first car could claim that they stopped and it was safe to cross, but I doubt the other 3 cars could claim that, unless they stopped at the line before proceeding to cross the tracks.

[chevypower]

I don't know if I buy the theory that it should be treated like any red light. So when they start going and your just about to cross the tracks, you should slam on your brakes to avoid going through a "red light?"
It also happens to be a flashing red light, which means under some laws, that you have to stop and yield, but may proceed when safe to do so. If the boom gates are up, and it's flashing, under that law, you may proceed if it is safe to do so. (The same thing as a stop sign - you don't have to wait until someone removes the Stop sign). In that case, the first car could claim that they stopped and it was safe to cross, but I doubt the other 3 cars could claim that, unless they stopped at the line before proceeding to cross the tracks.

[chevypower]

I don't know if I buy the theory that it should be treated like any red light. So when they start going and your just about to cross the tracks, you should slam on your brakes to avoid going through a "red light?"
It also happens to be a flashing red light, which means under some laws, that you have to stop and yield, but may proceed when safe to do so. If the boom gates are up, and it's flashing, under that law, you may proceed if it is safe to do so. (The same thing as a stop sign - you don't have to wait until someone removes the Stop sign). In that case, the first car could claim that they stopped and it was safe to cross, but I doubt the other 3 cars could claim that, unless they stopped at the line before proceeding to cross the tracks.

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by dom_105

I understand the law, but I'm prepared to trust my own judgement. The eyes never lie.

They did for that truck driver!

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by dom_105

There's only two crossings that I would be willing to cross whilst the lights are flashing, and it's this one and the one further south where the Lilydale Bypass should be, after a Lilydale-bound train. Because it's only the one track and you have a decent view towards Melbourne, and you know there isn't a train coming the other way.

I understand the law, but I'm prepared to trust my own judgement. The eyes never lie.

Just make sure when the cop uses his judgement and writes you a ticket, you accept it graciously, he is just doing his job. Also make sure when the guy in front of you choses not to use judgement and prefers to follow the law, keep your hand a away from the horn. He has every right to follow the law.

I do not agree with your "use my judgement" idea, it doesn't always work but you are unlikely to change ideas anyway so no point discussing. The plain and simple fact is driving through on the flashing light is illegal, regardless of the reasons.

It also happens to be a flashing red light, which means under some laws, that you have to stop and yield, but may proceed when safe to do so.

In australia that is a flashing amber and is normally found at pedestrian crossings. The flashing red at a rail crossing means stop, unless of course you are already on the tracks in which case you should obviously continue on to clear the tracks, I am thinking most do not need a light to tell them that.

[slo_crossflow]

Originally Posted by COOGES

I remember a taxi driver in Lilydale went through the crossing a bit early and was pulled over by the police. The cop informed him of the fine and demerits he would lose and the cabby pointed out that he only had 1 point left on his licence and that because of this he would lose his income, cab, house and things were a bit strained at home so he was sure he would lose his wife. The policeman went back to his car for a few minutes and on returning just issued a warning, good on him.

I bet you if the Taxi driver had a fare onboard he would of waited
:

[snappy]

I stop until the lights stop flashing .
Because few months ago a friend got fined before then i dont think i did.
It not a big deal to wait a couple more seconds now that im aware of the rule

[Green X]

4 cars got across before the lights stopped flashing, had the boom gate even finished coming up?

[uranium_death]

The law is, wait for the lights.
Indisputable law. If the cars behind you honk, get out and let them know the law, wish them a nice day, and remind them to drive safely.

It is clearly stated in the Learner drivers book.
"Where there are gates, booms, or flashing lights at railway level crossings, you must not cross until signals have stopped flashing and the gates or booms are fully open."

Drive safely all.

[Bud Bud]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

The law is, wait for the lights.
Indisputable law. If the cars behind you honk, get out and let them know the law, wish them a nice day, and remind them to drive safely.

Road rage anyone?
But seriously you are right about the law. I think it is as clean cut as it gets. Surprised that 4 cars actually made it across before the bells stopped ringing.

This does not seem to be a problem here in S.A. from what I have seen anyway. We even have traffic lights at some level crossings that activate to stop traffic queuing across the tracks even if the there are no trains coming. They also work in tandem with the boom gates as well and of course never give a green signal until the boom gate signals stop. If people jumped the gun on those intersections, they would also be going through a signalled red light as well.

With or without traffic lights, this law is pretty clear in my view.

[Thankfull]

Have never moved over the line, until the red lights stop flashing.....that is the Law.
To move over the line with lights still flashing....not a good idea....with a Police vehicle watching from the other side....is just asking for trouble.

Cheers

[Geez Louise]

I am one of those people that wait till the light stops flashing too. So many times I have cars honking their horns at me to go because the boom is up but too bad...I wait.

The crossing in Bayswater (VIC) on Mountain Hwy, sometimes the gates go up, one car goes through with the lights still flashing and then the gates come back down again for another train. I would rather be safe than another statistic.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

I am one of those people that wait till the light stops flashing too. So many times I have cars honking their horns at me to go because the boom is up but too bad...I wait.

The crossing in Bayswater (VIC) on Mountain Hwy, sometimes the gates go up, one car goes through with the lights still flashing and then the gates come back down again for another train. I would rather be safe than another statistic.

Me too. The crossing here in Sherwood is a classic example of cars starting to move in synch with the boomgates. Odd thing is, that just down the road is one of the Transport Dept's main licence testing facilities. It does feel uncomfortable, but I put up with the honking, because it's my life on the line, not theirs.

[Rodp]

I'll wait till the lights stop flashing and I'll stop when they start flashing, not treat it like a yellow and try and beat the boom gates.

Train vs car? No contest.

[merlin]

What colour are the flashing lights? (orange I assume). In NSW you are legally aloud to proceed through orange flashing lights so this will be pretty confusing for interstate people.

[RG]

Originally Posted by merlin

What colour are the flashing lights? (orange I assume). In NSW you are legally aloud to proceed through orange flashing lights so this will be pretty confusing for interstate people.

They're red here, red means stop.

I've seen the results of what trains do to cars first hand. I always wait.

[kocho]

Good to hear so many Ford Forumers stop and wait.

Aren't they red in all states?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by merlin

What colour are the flashing lights? (orange I assume). In NSW you are legally aloud to proceed through orange flashing lights so this will be pretty confusing for interstate people.

You dont know what colour railway crossing lights are?? Does this mean that you've NEVER seen a railway crossing or even a picture of one?

Originally Posted by merlin

Well we don't really have crossings in Sydney so giving an outsiders perspective it seems any problems could be all solved by simply changing the light phasing. Why have flashing lights at all? Why not have red light with boom gates down. Boom gate rises, lights stay red, then when boom gate fully opened light turns green. WHy have flashing? Seems it just confuses people judging by this thread.

Could it be because the rest of the world has RED flashing lights?