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Rail crossing crackdown
Page 11
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• Scottish MP Bristow Muldoon has again called for a crackdown on drivers who jump red lights at level crossings after figures showed that, despite previous warnings, the number of offenders has risen (CM 31 Oct10 Nov 02).
According to the latest figures from Network Rail, the Kirknewton level crossing in West Lothian remains the worst in Scotland, with 190 offences during 2002—up 35% on the same period of 2001.
One truck driver even forced his way over the crossing after the barriers had begun to come down. The track has a speed limit of 75mph and is used by 150 trains a day.
Muldoon says: "I am again appealing strongly to drivers who use the crossing to seriously consider the consequences of their actions before running these lights, and help to reduce these worryingly high figures before a serious accident occurs."
Janette Anderson, director of Network Rail in Scotland adds: "It is imperative that tougher penalties are imposed in order to effectively deter offenders. Often the minimum fines are given, which doesn't reflect the serious nature of these criminal acts."