KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Dolly
How dreadful that the driver of this car has made a mistake that has cost so much. And how awful for the train driver, especially when stupid news reports say the "train ploughed into the car". I am sure we will soon see barriers at all level crossing, however it would make a lot more sense to require a compulsory stop after all, technology is not infallible, barrier arms fail (or get smashed by morons). Reducing speed 200 metres before a crossing and requiring a compulsory stop would also mean that a small amount of personal responsibility and brain function will still be needed by drivers that's not a bad thing is it? However, in the case of pedestrian crossings of rail lines, I agree that a barrier should be installed. Unfortunately people are still going to get killed by trains when they make poor judgements. Accidents will always happen, it is a part of life.
Di, concerned motorist (Western BoP)
I find Mr Duynhoven's comments about sunstrike inexcusable and totally insensitive in this instance. It is possible to see the road but not lights at railway crossings in sunstrike because of the difference in height between the road and the lights. Also the problem may only have occurred when the driver turned to cross the crossing. We live in an area which is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. We have approached Tranzrail about installing barrier arms at a railway crossing on a major road here because of the volume of traffic using the crossing. At certain times of the year it is difficult to tell whether the lights are working or not because the angle of the sun means that the lights appear to be working all the time. Trains approaching from one side of the crossing are hidden from view by orchard shelter belts until motorists are close to the crossing. Tranzrail were not interested in putting barrier arms on this crossing when we approached them about five years ago.
Roger (Australia)
Crossing arms or barriers are really only any use in built up areas where the speed is slow and even then drivers will drive around them. In areas where the speed limit is 80kms an hour or more the key objective is to slow the traffic in order that the driver realise a railway crossing is ahead. A speed bump 500, 250 and 100 meters from the crossing along with a flashing white or blue strobe lights at each speed bump (activated by the train as it approaches the crossing) would clearly get the message home to a driver that a train is coming. The usual flashing red lights and bells at the crossing would remain.
Concerned motorist
Definitely all crossings need barrier arms. Although it is correct that sunstrike may have prevented the driver in this accident seeing them, the bonnet of the car would have hit them and there may have been time to stop. Okay so the cost is $150K for each crossing yes it is a lot of money but how much does it cost the taxpayers to provide emergency transport and treatment? Surely if we save lives and also transport and treatment costs, then there is plenty of cash to install these barriers! Might mean an initial outlay, but soon will be made back.
Paula Edwards
I don't think that rail barriers are necessary, because if you are unable to get across the rails without getting hit, then the train must have been visible. Too many drivers just don't even look!
Wellington
Yes barriers should be mandatory at all rail crossings and automatic closing gates (as installed at Silverstream Pedestrian Rail Crossing after the death of my child) at all pedestrian rail crossings. Is it achievable or just impossible? We have all been lead to believe that the cost is prohibitive. As the mother of a child killed at a pedestrian rail crossing I know the loss of one life is too great. I am sure if any of us knew that our relative was going to be the next victim at a rail crossing we would be fighting hard to pressure the Government to take steps to make the rail network safer. Barriers and automatic gates protect pedestrians and vehicle drivers as well as train drivers and their passengers.
Matthew Pilott
I've had a few cross-country bus trips lately, and have noticed that busses seem to stop before a crossing (with or without barrier arms). If the problem is bad enough to warrant such an outcry, perhaps stop signs should be installed at all rail crossings.However, such an accident, terrible as it was, should be seen in context when considering law changes. There are many road deaths due to other causes, I'd be looking at our licensing system first.
Graham Hansen
Tragic though this story is. Why are the parents not being held totally accountable. Why is it always some one else's responsibility for our children's safety and ours? I have driven that road and many others that have railway crossings. Always and I mean with no exceptions I slow down and look in each direction, I do not care whether there are barrier arms, flashing lights, bells or whistles. It is just basic safety and common sense. Attributes being lost by the "blame someone" else mentality that has permeated our society over the last couple of decades.
MCAC (Whangarei)
I get annoyed with those people who suggest that Trans Rail should provide barriers for every rail-road crossing. Let's take away all personal responsibitiy so no one gets hurt or killed. When will people learn that for every action there is a consequence? Next thing we will be asked to have all children on a leash while walking beside the road.
Delenn
Something should be made mandatory! And since it can't be common sense or intuition then it should either be barriers or compulsory stops. Come on, people are dying and all the common sense in the world isn't going to stop that how many times does it need to be proven? Barriers or compulsory stops will stop it. Is it really so much to ask for?
jmf
No I don't believe barriers should be mandatory, but I do think that we could be made more aware perhaps an advert on TV or something. There is always stuff about drink driving or speed but perhaps there should be more about driver awareness watch for cyclists, trains, wandering stock etc etc these things can catch out even good drivers
Alan Davidson
Not all rail crossings need barriers. Barriers are not idiot proof: trucks often crashed through the the Waiouru barriers,and would crash through Ohingaiti barriers. There are still SH1 crossings at Mangaweka and Huntly, and several on SH2 and SH3:stop for the bells. There are hundreds of country road crossings:stop and look.
T Johnson
For the small cost involved it still amazes me how ignorant the people who make the decisions not to install barrier arms are. As New Zealanders we are legislated through law to wear a seat belt in the event that we may suffer a vehicle accident why shouldn't the same way of thinking apply to making our roads and crossings themselves safer?
Morepork (Whenuapai)
I feel very strongly that New Zealand must adopt the same policy as they have in USA. That is a compulsory stop at every crossing!
Sean (Auckland)
Nigel Wade summed up New Zealanders attitudes brilliantly. He was distracted on the phone and failed to look, hence was almost taken by the train. Thus, instead of not talking on the phone and avoiding distractions while driving, the rail crossing (with barrier arms) should be made safer. What a joke, maybe we should just make our driving safer and avoid distractions like cell phones while driving main roads.
room 12
Hi my name is Courteney Fox and Sam Sininson. We are students at Tauhara Primary School in Taupo.We have heard and read about the tragic happeing with the train and we send our sympathy and are sorry it happened.We definatel think there should be barriers at all crossings to stop this happening again
Barry Wylie (Wellington)
No barrier arms shouldnt be mandatory.Common sense when crossing level crossings should be mandatory If the bells are ringing, stop. Regardless of whether you see a train or not. Too often people fail to slow down and look both ways to see whether a train is coming. That's a pretty certain way to save lives.
Duncan (Auckland)
Barrier arms should be mandatory for all State Highway rail crossings what sort of third world nation are we?
Richard (Auckland)
How many more innocent people have to die at level crossings before Transit and the local authorities swallow their pride and install barriers? Is the $150,000 cost too much to pay for someone's life? Transit keep carrying on about 'cost-benefit' analyses for each crossing. I say it's a no brainer. Get on with it before more people lose their loved ones.
Concerned traveller
Firstly my compassion for Reef and her loving family. I drive frequently to Wellington from the north and know the crossing well. I do feel that many accidents are due to human error. All who drive require to be constantly vigilant. We cannot have protection in life for everything we do.In this instance their is a question around sun blindness. Sometimes I do wonder about noise in a car e.g. CD/ radio preventing drivers from hearing adequately about outside dangers. No, I do not think that drivers require a safety barrier at this crossing. Drivers please be careful at all times.Vigilance is what is important Stop and rest if necessary. Better late arriving than not arriving at all at your destination.
Kerry
Instead of spending millions of dollars on the America's Cup which we are so ill-equipped to do why not spend it where it's really needed... at home! Starting with railway crossing arms, the health system etc etc. Come on, let's get our priorities right!
Ruralgirl (Helensville)
I definitely think barrier arms should go back on railway crossing. Too many people are losing their lives this way. The personal loss to families and NZ can not be compared to the cost of putting barriers back. How many more people have to die before something is done? I have been driven in cars where animated discussions have taken place at railway crossings and most people do not think you have to slow down or stop at one, I always stop and feel safer for doing so.
Rosava
Having just returned from Dargaville to Wellington and after many years of driving this stretch I note we have upgraded our roads to a wonderful degree but our rail crossings have remained unchanged. Is this because the railway lines were sold off-shore and no $$$ have been put back into upgrades. The shear volume of traffic today demands barrier arms be in place at any crossing. Britain has gates that swing open to block the road and when they swing back they block access to the tracks,. Very civilised. Living in the Hutt Valley with all our over asses and under passes I am nervous when I have to cross the tracks.
Macmonkey (Tokoroa)
I think that they should be absolutely mandatory, I have known people to not hear the bells and have driven right in front of trains.
Ngaire (Auckland)
Why is there accidents at rail crossings particularly when bells are ringing? Do people not understand the road code? Even with low sun strike you would see flashing lights and hear bells , but then some people have their radios or CD so loud you wouldn't even hear a fire engine or ambulance. Will putting barriers up stop people? You watch some fools now and they drive round the barriers. If not sure why don't people just stop? Surely flashing lights mean stop. When there is a stop sign on the road people ignore that, if it is clear they proceed, moving all the time. Stop means stop. People are to blase these days, its too easy to get a licence, after all, all you need to do is remember where the ticks or crosses are. There is no real test of knowledge. People should be more aware, I feel sorry for the train driver as well.
Central Otago
Although it is sad when people are killed or injured at railroad crossings, there is simply no excuse to be hit by a train. People have to take responsibility for their driving, and there is no room for complacency when crossing a rail line.
To spend money trying to protect drivers who are not exercising due care and attention is wasteful, especially when such money could be spent on improving the third world rail that currently exists across the nation.
Marguerite (Tauranga)
I guess in the not-too-distant future we'll be able to do without our brains. All responsibility is being removed from us. There are warnings along both approaches to all rail crossings as far as I'm aware and we need to heed them! Remember there are consequences to all forms of behaviour and/or choices.
Cathy Watson
Of course barriers should be erected. Its just common sense to have all railway crossings rural and urban protected by barriers at all times.
Rachel
I do believe rail crossings should all have barriers.
Blue (Tauranga)
I do not think barriers are needed on crossings, it is the same old story driver error. The same as roads near where I live there is a corner with lots of signs stating sharp bend 55klm, but alas people go round at 90 to 100 km and end up over the bank with fatal results. People are now petionining Land Transport to have the corner removed at a great cost stating the corner is dangerous. It's not the corner. It is the driver. Same as rail crossings it's the driver at fault.
Nikki (Katikati)
SH1 definitely mandatory, and all other major highways in the country. It is quite ridiculous that we allow such backward standards on our main highways. Just up the road from us on SH2 near Waihi (high traffic volume) we have a cow crossing! So for twice a day for most of the year, the traffic has to let cows cross the road. If it's not the Rail's responsibility then it must fall on Transit wither way, the govt has to be responsible. Millions of dollars thrown at sports events, yet barriers too costly?
Nigel Wade
In Ranui (Auckland) (Wed last week), I drove through a crossing while the red light was on, I was distracted by a phone call, and should really have stopped. The train was 100 / 150 meters away, the barrier arm went down moments after I went through. If I'd frozen, I would be dead or severely injured now. Barrier arms and lights, save lives.
K Webb
I don't think we need barriers on every crossing. The more things we add to our roads of this type, the less drivers need to concentrate, so new problems will occur. Spending lots of money on signs doesn't improve driver behaviour, in fact it can make it worse. For example, cats-eyes are great on country roads on foggy nights but if you just drive faster you won't see that cow in front of you. Drivers need to pay attention very careful attention at all times, using their eyes, ears and touch (vibrations through the steering wheel on rough roads tell us to slow down). While this particular crash was a terrible tragedy, I ask what role sun-strike played in not hearing warning bells. There also would have been signs well before the crossing and if the lights were affected by sun-strike, then this driver was driving outside their visibility and stopping distance on the 99 per cent chance that the crossing lights were off. That's also called gambling. Don't bet your family on the turn of a card. The driver alone is responsible for almost any crash. We must look for the signs, not wait for bigger, brighter signs or barriers to catch us.
Heide (Germany)
As we are going to travel for 5 months ,starting in Nov 07, throughout NZ, we feel a little unsafe about your railway crossings. Perhaps NZ rail could learn something from Europe, where are mostly 3 red/white crosses in 80m distance each to show the driver, that's a railway crossing coming up, a red traffic light is blinking at the red/white barrier, that is only half at small streets, but full at bigger ones.(it's impossible to cross then.)It runs automatically. In former times it used to be a job for people to let down the barriers.Although it seems to me, that NZ rail still remains to be in the European 70ies , we will be very careful, crossing a rail in NZ. There are sometimes accidents, when people start crossing, although red lights are on an stuck in the middle of the tracks.
John Dalley
I am staggered that in this day and age that we even have rail crossings on major state highways like Ohingati.This crossing in particular should have a bridge over it and a further bridge over the crossing about 2Kms down the road.
They are both extremely dangerous crossings.
Furry (Heathcote)
If brick walls were erected at railway crossings, some drivers would still drive into them.
Kerry
I think that all rail crossing on SH1 should have barrier arms. SH1 has too much traffic not to have them installed. In saying that I am aware of the crossing involved in the accident having passed over it many times, and I believe that it is probably one of the safest due to the sharp corner leading up to it that requires you to slow down a lot. Something has to have gone horribly wrong for that car to end up in front of the train at that crossing.
Clive Ambrose
All rail crossing should be by bridges. This is the case in South Africa/ That is probably one of the factors contributing to the accident they were just not used to level crossings!
John (expat in Sweden)
Barriers are mandatory on rail crossings here in Sweden, even across public metal roads in remote forest areas of the country. Which we have quite a lot of.