Wednesday 5 April

Police To Travel In Train Cabs

From today motorists who try and race trains across level crossings could well find out their act of stupidity has been witnessed by police.

Toll Rail is delighted that the police are going to travel in the cabs of trains at random to see first hand what rail drivers have to contend with everyday.

Last year there were 32 level crossing accidents and numerous incidents involving trespassers on the rail track. A day hardly goes by nationwide where a train driver does not report a near miss.

Group General Manager Toll Rail, Gary Taylor says having the police on trains has a two-fold impact. It is a great deterrent to stop offending motorists and our train drivers are pleased that rail incidents are being taken seriously.

He praises Inspector Neil Wynne from Palmerston North District Police whose idea it was to have police travel in the cabs and whose team has been involved in initial trials.

Mr Taylor also appreciates that Senior Sergeant Eric Davy from the Tasman Police District in the South Island has also included the idea in his operational plan.

Mr Taylor says the public have to take responsibility for their actions and realise when they try and race a train, or not slow down at a crossing there will be a consequence.

We are delighted that the police are sending the message to motorists that their actions will not be tolerated and that if people drive illegally through a crossing they face prosecution.

ENDS

© Scoop Media