Drivers risking death by running crossing lights
Tally of near misses and swerving the barriers is revealed
Thirteen drivers have been spotted running red lights and darting through closing barriers at a level crossing in just two months.
The spate of incidents in June and July at East Farleigh, has led to calls from rail companies for drivers to pay closer attention, with four incidents alone reported in four days, and trains delayed as a result.
In May 2018, Network Rail was convicted of safety failures when an employee was seriously injured at the level crossing, which was then manually controlled.
Signaller Doug Caddell had warned about the dangers of cars using the crossing only hours before he was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken neck in 2015, when a car crashed into one of the gates as he was closing it.
The current system, with flashing lights and full barriers, is controlled by an employee from a nearby signalbox and
was installed last year.
The crossing is on the line between Maidstone and Paddock Wood, and the road links the main A26 Tonbridge Road to East Farleigh bridge. Network Rail’s route director for Kent, Fiona Taylor, said: “I can’t believe I’ve got to say this,
but the flashing red lights are there for a reason- safety. “There’s no excuse for not paying attention to them and the fact that some drivers are even swerving round closing barriers, when a train is on its way, is just astonishing.They’re not only putting themselves and
others at risk but also risk a fine and points on their licences.” British Transport Police inspector, Jonathan Pine, said: “We will prosecute anyone who runs through level crossing lights. There are no circumstances where it is safe to go past flashing red lights.”