Politicians and Rail Safety

[ACustomer]

From to-day's Indo:
IARNROD Eireann is using private investigators to nab motorists who leave user-operated level crossing gates open.

In the past three months alone, the rail company has taken a dozen successful prosecutions against drivers who failed to close the gates after crossing rail lines. They were hit with fines of between €800 and €1,000.

Outside investigators were not retained on an ongoing basis, but targeted certain crossings "on a random basis", a rail spokesperson said. By leaving gates open, drivers were putting other motorists, train passengers and staff at risk of injury or death from a major crash as others "inadvertently drive onto the railway line", the spokesperson added.

The Iarnrod Eireann clampdown and use of private detectives emerged at a court case in Castlebar, Co Mayo, where four motorists alleged to have left gates open had cases against them struck out.

Local Fine Gael Cllr Michelle Mulherin said yesterday the rail company would be better off spending taxpayers' money on automating level crossings rather than prosecuting drivers and hiring private investigators to catch them.

But last night, Iarnrod Eireann hit back at Cllr Mulherin claiming she was involved in "nothing more than cynical electioneering", the spokesperson said.
"She is seeking to condone reckless behaviour in ignoring the rules governing road and rail safety in the pursuit of votes."

Iarnrod Eireann intends to continue prosecuting motorists who leave level crossing gates open and would also be installing permanent cameras on a number of crossings to deter misuse.

The spokesperson said the company's stance signalled a clear message to drivers. "Do not put your life or that of other motorists or rail passengers at risk, or you will be liable prosecution and a fine."

For once, Bravo Iarnrod Eireann. This sort of low-level nonsense from politicians is despicable.

[Mark Gleeson]

As we all know automation doesn't make much of a difference but it does cost 700,000 euro a pop

Under the new Rail Safety Act its much easier nail someone