CANDOR TRUST MEDIA RELEASE

Train Crash Raises Cannabis Query

Inspector Rob Jones says Police haven't yet ascertained the cause of the crash at a Bay of Plenty rail crossing which killed driver Keeley Jamieson, aged 20 and her brother Ryan Jamieson, aged 22.

Witnesses say warning bells rang while the train driver blasted his horn frantically before he slammed into the victim's car, as it crept slowly over the crossing.

Candor Trust Educator Urs Tiaho says that given the scenario of this day-time disaster two main possibilities must spring to mind.

The first one would be driver impairment given the age group of the driver and the possible inattention factor.

"If that was the cause, the most likely substance we'd suspect as a cause of driver impairment at that time of the day (afternoon), is cannabis".

It is more typical for coronial inquests to youthful road deaths in NZ to find use of cannabis was a factor than drunkenness in deceased NZ drivers of 20 or under.

Alcohol over legal limits only features in thirteen percent (latest Ministry of transport figures).

Cannabis use is 3 times more common in deceased young drivers per early findings from the ongoing ESR drug driving study.

"The twenty dollar tinny is our youth's answer to the youth alcohol limit, which goes a long wa to explain why their toll is hoigh and stable".

The second possibility which must come through as a front runner is brake failure, at the critical time, though vehicle factors are a very rare cause of fatalities in NZ.

An electrical contractor working on a power pole just by the crossing said he had heard the bells and then a bang. He said the driver had slowed for the crossing but obviously not seen the train despite it's bright spotlight and horn sounding.

Toll has been campaigning to reduce rail crossing accidents and cricketer Chris Cairns has used his profile to reinforce the safety message. Cairns encourages drivers to take "far greater responsibility" at level rail crossings.

The Chris Cairns Foundation works with a number of stake holders in the rail industry to prevent such events. A major campaign will be launched in time for Australasian Rail Safety Week, which starts on July 23.

Candor Trust is hopeful an awareness of drug intoxicated driving will be part and parcel of the Rail Safety Week program, given it's epidemic proportions in New Zealand.

ENDS

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