Danger at Railway Crossings
Our bad driving behaviour extends to all road types and environments. So when we encounter a railway crossing, especially if it’s one that we cross often, we tend to become complacent, thinking that we can foolishly outrun the on-coming behemoth. Sometimes, we’re so preoccupied in our thoughts, or with our mobile device, that we are completely distracted.
A train laden or otherwise, weighs many, many, more times the weight of your humble SUV. Dicing with one is very foolish and if you’re doing this daily with your little kids from school noisily distracting you, this is a recipe for disaster.
Remember, a train cannot stop as sharply as you can in your car. Even at low speeds, a train crashing into a car will almost always destroy the car because the point of impact is at right angles, and depending on the point of contact can cause the tyres to blow out digging the rims into the ground and causing the car to be dragged a distance, literally tearing it into pieces along the way.
The most important road safety tip or dealing with level crossings, is to be alert, (radio switched off, no mobile devices and no distraction from other occupants), looking carefully in both directions and irrespective of the speed and distance of the approaching train, never risk trying to cross if you see one approaching. Where booms are in place it’s is even more foolish to try to “outrun” them.
According to Transnet the most common behaviours include failing to appreciate the speed and distance of the approaching train, panicking and selecting the wrong gear resulting in stalling the vehicle, often with disastrous results.
As a rule, learner drivers and those who lack confidence using a manual transmission gearbox should avoid roads where train lines pass. Should it be unavoidable then do so with extreme caution and don’t panic, especially if the railroad crossing happens to be on a slight incline and clutch control is critical. Rather use the handbrake and carefully release the clutch to proceed forward without being intimidated by impatient drivers hooting at the back.
